7 reasons why I fell in love with York

When I was 18, I was given the chance to move to York with my parents. They bought a shop on The Shambles and filled it with bath bombs, soaps, and home made cupcake candles. (My mum made these from scratch with wax and fragrances) Back then it was called Scentiments, but they changed the name to Tonic Cosmetics a couple of years later.

My photo of Clifford's Tower, Oct 2015

We first lived in the Clifton Moor area, down a beautiful drive surrounded by beautiful houses. We then moved to a cul de sac down Monkgate, then to Huntington a year later, and a year after that I moved out of my parents house and lived in a tiny flat on Ousegate, which was in the middle of the city, on a bridge, above a 24 hour Tesco. (The sound of 4am deliveries and race-goers puking outside my window still haunts me to this day)

In early 2014 I moved to Whitby, and back to York again down the South Bank area. I know right? I'm knackered just from writing about how many times I moved house! Those 6 years were a tumultuous and bittersweet time in my life, that unfortunately had to come to an end. Due to personal reasons I had to leave in 2015. So if you've ever been to York and experienced its beauty for yourself, you can imagine just how much I miss it.

York will always be close to my heart. After all, it's where my life really started, and where I had my first baby. It's also where I met some of the most special people in my life, including my other half. (Yorkies, you know who you are!) and I will be forever grateful and will feel forever blessed that I had some of the best times of my life there. Here is a list of seven places that I still go back to, that still pull on my heart strings and that I would recommend to any one who hasn't had the chance to visit:

My photo of the river Ouse, April 2017

The Treasurer's House

Hidden away behind the Minster lies the Treasurer's House. Surrounded by stunning gardens, statues, and filled with fine art, antiques and plenty of history, I fell in love with this house the first time I ever stepped foot into it when I was just 14. In 1897, a gentleman named Frank Green bought the house and filled it with antiques, art and furniture. Before he died, he donated it to The National Trust. With thanks to them (Seriously, thank you!), the house has been kept in pristine condition, and is even laid out exactly how Frank wanted it before his death in 1954.

Every single time I walk into this house, it feels like the first. I still find myself in absolute awe of the place. The tile floors, the Victorian wallpaper, the old grandfather clocks, the smell of the cafe kitchen underneath baking scones, and of course the overall feel of stepping into something that has been frozen in time. In 2013, I was lucky enough to earn the role of volunteer room guide there, and would spend every Saturday morning telling stories and warning the visitors to beware of the ghosts that have been spotted roaming the house. Oh, and in case you were wondering, my favourite room in the entire house is the Blue Drawing room. An enormous room swathed in turquoise, golds and silvers, filled with 18th century French sofas, mirrors and side tables. On a summer's day, the sunshine pours through the huge bay windows (which overlook the garden) turning it into the dreamiest room in the house.

Not only is this place a hidden gem (so is not always too busy), but it is filled to the brim with history. They even have a tour of the basement underneath (where Harry Martindale saw a Roman ghost) and a tour of the attics above the house where the servants would live. I recommend this to anyone visiting York, even if it's just for a day!

Tadcaster Road, South Bank and the Knavesmire

Tadcaster Road is lined with Georgian and Victorian Houses, boutique hotels, a cinema, pubs and of course a Travelodge! 💁 And just as you leave the bar walls via Micklegate you may spot a building on the corner that goes by the name of Bar Convent. It's a B&B, cafe and a chapel all in one and is the oldest surviving Roman Catholic convent in England. I visited this place a couple of times, and hidden inside is one of the most gorgeous chapel ceilings I have ever seen. I recommend going in and having a look around, even just to pop in for a quick cup of tea!

Some of you reading will probably have only visited York for the races. (Nothing wrong with that but there's so much more to see!) Before I moved away, I lived in the South Bank area which is just behind the race course, and is one of the loveliest little communities I have ever lived in. Every body is friendly, the views are stunning and Bishopthorpe Road is only a stone's throw away from it.

Bishy Road!

I miss being able to leave my house and go for a run down the Knavesmire, whatever the weather and just be in awe at how beautiful the racecourse looks, even when it's boggy and all you can see is rain clouds. The general South Bank/Tadcaster Road area has a park, fields to picnic on, a nursery and a primary school so is/was perfect for a little family like mine. I know I'm selling this area as somewhere nice to live in and not somewhere to go when you're just wanting to sight-see, but I would love to move back there again. It's a treat for the eyes where ever you go.

Photo of Tadcaster Rd via 'lanabobble' on Instagram

The House of Trembling Madness

Where do I begin with this place? First of all, how could you not want to go for a drink in a pub with a name as wacky as this?! Tucked between The Evil Eye Lounge and Berry's Jewellers on Stonegate, The House of Trembling Madness (Or Trembo's as myself and my Yorkies call it) is a Medieval hall that was built around 1180Ad. The rear end started as the first Norman House to be built in York, and is still standing today, held up by 800 year old ship beams.
Whether you're after some delicious pub grub (the Yorkshire platter anyone?) or some obscure Belgian ales, (with over 600 ales in stock in their shop alone) you can't say you're not spoilt for choice here.
I would sometimes duck into this place whenever I got caught in the rain, and order a gin and tonic whilst I sat in the snug upstairs with friends, and stared at the ugly, (but mostly hilarious) animal heads that hang from the walls.
It's pretty hard to describe such a quirky place to someone who has never been before. So of course, this made my list. And to all of my Yorkies, I envy you having this outside your doors!

The Museum Gardens

The Museum Gardens are an absolute must see. This place is so stunning no matter which time of the year. I've wandered through the gardens and listened to music when I felt blue and needed a space to recollect my thoughts. I've wandered the ruins of St Mary's Abbey at night with my boyfriend. I've picnicked here with friends and Cherry Lambrini. I have skived from work to read a book on the grass in the sunshine. I have played Frisbee here with friends when we were all hungover to hell, and I have even been here for an outdoor cinema experience in the summer of 2011. (Ironically, they played 300 days of summer).
These beautiful gardens can be a welcomed break from the chaos of the city if you're wanting a bit of peace and quiet. It's also particularly beautiful when the sun is setting, and you can pass through to walk by the river.

Bobo Lobo's bar

Located in the quarter area of the city, Bobo Lobo's was the first cocktail bar I went to on my first night out in York. I went with a couple of friends and had one of the most unforgettable nights I've ever had. The bar was packed, the Salsa music was blasting and the Jack Daniels and Coke was delicious. I would encourage any cocktail fan to try their version of the Caipirinha Cocktail as the one I had made me fall in love at first sip. 🍹

Many a time I have found myself here at 1am, dancing the night away with my besties and climbing the 43 stairs to the toilets. (One time I fell down the stairs - sober!- in my 6 inch heels whilst holding a JD & Coke and didn't spill a drop). I know a handful of Yorkies who dislike this place, and I think it gets a bad rep because of how rowdy it can get in there. I will say, it may best be avoided when the races are on, as it can get really crowded and too noisy. However, I think I love this place so much because I've always been with my closest friends, and therefore had the best time. If cocktails are your thing, then go!

The Minster

As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, a lot of my time spent in York was tumultuous. Therefore I found myself wandering around the city alone to have some quiet time. On many of these instances, I'd be drawn towards the Minster, - particularly if it was cold outside. As a religious individual, I find this place overwhelmingly beautiful, and calming to my soul.

The Minster is over 1,300 years old (and then some) and to any one, religious or not is incredible and awe-inspiring to see from the inside and outside. From the top of the 236 foot Cathedral, you can see York in all of its glory. Also, did you know that as a rule no building is allowed to be built taller than the Minster? Where ever you are in the city, inside or outside the walls, if you're stood in the right place you can actually see it.

Every time I went in there, I would light a candle for my grandma, and another for the people in my life who loved me. And then I would walk around quietly, listen to the choir and the organ playing, or marvel at the stained glass in the Great East Window (which is the size of a tennis court by the way). Back in 2013, I was fortunate enough to be Confirmed in the Minster along with 17 other people. As I was being blessed by the Bishop, I really had a 'pinch me' moment. I couldn't believe I was that lucky to have such a heart warming and beautiful religious experience, in one of the most stunning Cathedrals in the world.
On my last day in York before I moved away, I wandered the city by myself and listened to some music. I sat on a bench facing the south wing of the minster, and tried to absorb the city all around me. I watched the people walk past, eating ice creams, walking their dogs, couples hand in hand, people crouched on the pavement to get the perfect photograph of the Minster. And as the sun slowly set, I captured my own photograph. And it still warms my heart every time I look at it. My eyes welled with tears as I reminisced on my 6 years of love and sadness in this perfect city, and every thing that had happened to me, bad or good, I knew I had to let it go.

My photo from May 2015

The Shambles

When you think of York, you think of The Shambles. After all, it is the best preserved medieval street in all of Europe. It is so well preserved in fact, that a lot of people believe that parts of Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter movies were shot here. (Trust me, it wasn't, and I have actually heard genuine tour guides tell this lie to their group!)
As my parents shop was located here, I spent a lot of my time walking up and down this cobbled street. There is so much to look at in all of the tiny windows; The butchers, the bakers, the sweet shops, the jewellers, the restaurants, cafes and little boutiques. Whether you're looking for a little York Minster key-ring, or just want to pick up a sandwich and a coffee, you can do so down this gorgeous little street.

My photo from January 2017

I have so many wonderful memories of working in my parents shop with my dad, wrapping soaps, cupcake candles, arranging the display and of course talking to thousands of different people from all around the world. That was the most fun part. Whilst doing some research for this post, I stumbled upon a fellow blogger's page to find a full account about our little shop! She wrote some very kind words, and took some pictures that had me feeling so nostalgic and sentimental about my time in York. When my parents told me they were dissolving the business and moving away, I was totally heartbroken. I couldn't imagine my life without that shop. It felt like my second home, somewhere I felt safe, somewhere I knew inside and out. Somewhere I could go to at night when I wanted to be alone, and somewhere that didn't really feel like work because I enjoyed it so much.

Photo by onelittlevice.blogspot.co.uk

Photo by onelittlevice.blogspot.co.uk

I didn't mean to make this last paragraph so drippy but I never wanted to say goodbye. It's so easy to fall in love with York, just like I did the very first time I went as a teenager. I remember writing in a diary entry that I would live there. And I thank God that I did, because I really, really lived.

Thank you, to all the beautiful people I met there, and who stuck by me through everything, even after I moved away. You're all the best Yorkshire lads and lasses a Lancashire lass could've asked for.

Violet. x

Here's another mini list of places you absolutely must see when exploring York:

The Pivni,
The River Ouse, all of it!
The Blue Bicycle
The Olde Starre Inn
The Lamb and Lion pub
Clifford's tower at night
The Castle museum on a rainy day
York cemetery
Dusk
Pavement Church
Fairfax house
Stonegate antique shop