Many travel guides will tell you about York's little streets, and its tendency to have those streets invaded by Vikings, Romans and such. It’s all true. But nowadays it's what York's community does with those little streets that really sets it apart. You'll find a crowd of independent shops, cafes and galleries, plus layer after layer of ancient architecture jostling for position. Presiding over it all is the glorious York Minster, a sandstone leviathan with immense charisma that dominates the city centre and offers fresh, weird design delights with each repeat visit. Photography by Peter Byrne and words by Russ Thorne
Immerse yourself in this subterranean mid-century cold war world
The largest collection of British Studio Ceramics in the UK
There's always something of interest in this interior design haven
A warm welcome, wonderful coffee and tasty seasonal food
Wake up with a cup of the good stuff and a peanut butter brownie
Colossal locomotives and an explosion of railway paraphernalia
Cunningly scaled down, the solar system bike route explores our celestial neighbours
Venture inside to find one-off pieces from UK artists
A stern sign warns away the crowds but it's for a good cause: the pursuit of a nice quiet pint
Blends delicate Euro-pastry happiness with fine Yorkshire fare to great effect
Get there early for an outrageously good pie / mash / pint combo
A peep inside reveals treasures old and new, all themed around art, design and architecture
Hosts a constantly changing roll call of artists, exhibitions and serious art ‘zines
The cinema is sort of York in microcosm...
Tasty local and exotic beers poured in schooners, good coffee and regular live music
Don't leave without a bag of the house blend buttons
Full of class and character and they'll serve you a super pint, but its strength is its community spirit
Clamber up the steep steps for serious espresso and unapologetic cakes
Crammed full of delights including local cheeses, cured meats, olives and sensational pies
A thing of singular, often startling beauty, especially up close
A second-hand bookstore in the classic mould, all heaving shelves and strange leather bound tomes
Purveyors of intriguing vinyl, you're just as likely to find contemporary electronic here as you are classic rock
A proper deli offering proper deli sandwiches
Nestle into the comfy corner bench while you wait for a caffeine reboot
Hidden quiet green space to escape the crowds.
Unbeatable place to eat. Soooo good.
It's a jungle out there
Drink your favourite craft beer in this beautiful old Georgian town house
A vibrant mix of food, drink, shops and a brewery
Adopt a unique hand-crafted miniature ghost on The Shambles.
A stationery and paper shop in York. From fairtrade greetings cards to calligraphy nibs and everything else your desk needs.
A relaxed music-focused cafe, with frequent evening events.
Forty Five is a charming cafe which retails quality LPs as well as a selection of beverages. Rustic furniture, comfy sofas and a turntable make Forty Five a quality location for a quiet drink while watching the city life hum by.
It hosts regular evening events, including music quizes and intimate live shows. This small cafe is gaining momentum as one of York's new generation of remarkable music venues. Wall space is dedicated to a gallery for contemporary artists to display and sell their work.
While it's fair to say that the menu is limited, the music-named toasties served are top notch comfort food, using ingredients unlikely to be in your fridge. Children are welcome during the day, and high chairs are available for the littlest ones. Forty Five is already gaining cult status in York, therefore standard band merch such as tshirts and tote bags are available to purchase.
Stop by for a moment to break up your commute, or make an evening of it to enjoy the chilled vibe and new music.
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