York Minster

The old city of York is dominated by a towering and beautiful Cathedral called York Minister. It is a beautiful building with incredible stained glass windows.

We started our visit by climbing to the top of the centre tower-275 steps up a spiral staircase and through narrow passageways to the top where we had incredible views of the city and the wall encircling it.

Next we went into the undercroft where we learned about the history of the building. As it was built on the site of a Roman fort and ruins have been found under its foundations.  It was also originally a Norman church and some of the ruins were also from this era.

 We also saw the ceremonial horn which the Vikings gave to the church when christianity was adopted.

It was amazing to find the shrine of Saint William of York which has been a pilgrimage site since the 12th century! What history and jaw dropping architecture.  

  

Finally we visited the Chapter House, a circular wing of the cathedral where there are fascinating stained glass and interesting and unique carvings.  It was once the location for the Kings' parliament.  At its entrance is a famous astronomical clock, a tribute to flyers who died during the second world war. It is remarkable as it shows sidereal time, local time, the seasons and the constellations as seen from York's latitude.

Next we went to the National Railway Museum, which is jam picked with railway memorabilia.