All Aboard the York Express!
Picture this: Me, backpack slung, playlist queued, tea in one hand and travel dreams in the other.
Ready for an awesome daycation in York!
Why York, you ask?
Besides my burning desire to rack up steps on England’s longest town walls (13 feet high and 6 feet wide), and hunt for quirky treasures in The Shambles, I figured it was about time I upgraded my medieval street cred.
Who doesn’t want to say they’ve strolled through a real-life postcard?
With my wanderlust cranked to eleven, I was ready to ride these rails like a pro, snacks already half demolished before the train even rolled out.
The anticipation? Off the charts.
The vibe? All aboard the hype train.
This wasn’t just another quick hop up north; it was a full-throttle, turbo-charged day trip packed with history, hijinks, and a generous helping of train drama, all sprinkled with classic British charm.
And let’s set the record straight: my choice to visit the city had absolutely nothing to do with the city’s royal connections.
Apologies to the former Duke of York, but this trip was all for me.
Technically, this was my second go at the walled city, but that first time barely counts. I was swept along on a group tour, and my total time in York was about the length of a tea break.
This time, I was chasing the ultimate daycation: equal parts thrill ride, history binge, and cheeky British banter.
I grabbed my trusty daypack, hit the rails, and vowed to soak up every minute.
This adventure was all about me, myself, and York.
Traveler’s Tip:
Here’s the daypack I use for my adventures.
It’s made by Outlander. I love it because it’s lightweight, water-resistant, and unfolds from pocket to backpack, making it easy to pack in your carry-on.
And no, this is not a shameless advertising plug.
I’m sharing because this daypack has truly become a welcomed necessity for my adventures.
Fare Play & Rail Steals
Before I could even dream of wandering York’s medieval streets, I had to figure out how to get there from Central London.
After a deep dive into travel forums, apps, and my own inner deal hunter, I found that LNER was the real MVP for direct routes to York.
No messy transfers for this adventurer, just a straight shot north.
The best part? Loads of departure times meant I could custom-build my perfect round trip adventure.
Here’s the real travel hack: I snagged my ticket about 10 to 12 weeks before my chosen date. That’s the sweet spot when prices are at their lowest.
To stretch my pounds even further, I traveled off-peak on a weekday. This little combo made my ticket almost as cheap as a London lunch.
I also booked direct using the LNER Mobile App, thus no additional booking fees.
So if you want more money for York’s shops and quirky souvenirs, plan ahead and ride smart.
Track Stars & Train Pains
My adventure began in the pre-dawn glow at London’s legendary King’s Cross Station.
Why so early?
I snagged a spot on the 0633 train because the real explorers know that the earlier the wheels roll, the more magic you squeeze into your day.
I was basically chasing the sunrise and the spirit of Indiana Jones, all before most people’s first cup of tea.
Now, here’s the kind of travel perk that deserves a round of applause:
LNER lets you order snacks straight from your seat, no trekking to the dining car required.
I’m talking piping hot drinks, pastries, and train treats, delivered right to you like you’re some sort of railway royalty.
And get this, everyone on board gets the VIP treatment, not just the first-class crowd. My inner snack goblin was absolutely living for it.
But every epic quest needs a twist.
Sometime during the night, mysterious cable bandits made off with some of the signaling wires, forcing trains to creep through the bottleneck one at a time.
Suddenly, my journey had a whiff of whodunit.
Cue the delays!
The silver lining? LNER swooped in heroically and refunded my ticket because of the severe delay.
Talk about British hospitality!
Take notes, Amtrak!
Delays in the U.S. never come with a refund, just a side of frustration.
Wall to Wall Wonders
After finally rolling into York, my spirits soared. I practically moonwalked off the train, swept up in a wave of ancient charm and cobblestone cool.
First on my to-do list: conquer the famous city walls.
Did you know York’s walls are the longest medieval town walls in all of England? That’s right, over two miles of stone and secrets, complete with ancient arrow slits, hidden stairways, and views worthy of a medieval selfie.
Some parts are so old, legend says Roman soldiers still patrol them at midnight (or maybe that’s just my imagination running wild). The walls have survived Viking raids, the English Civil War, and even a few overzealous tourists trying to find the perfect photo spot.
Here’s a nugget straight from the Horrible Histories files: York was once the Viking capital of England, and you can still spot Norse influence in street names ending with “-gate,” which actually means “street,” not a barrier or a scandal.
And for extra confusion, a “bar” in York is a gate, not a pub. So if someone tells you to head for Monk Bar, don’t expect a pint; expect a giant medieval stone gateway!
To sum up: in York, the streets are called gates, the gates are called bars, and the bars are called pubs.
So if you think you’re heading out for a pint but end up staring at a centuries-old stone arch, congratulations, you’re officially fluent in Yorkish!
With that medieval mood in mind, I followed the path from the station, winding through lush gardens, passing classic British shops (yes, the kind where you can buy a pasty and a postcard in the same breath), and soaking in the city’s unmistakable energy.
At last, York Minster came into view, rising above the rooftops like a Gothic crown.
Up close, it’s even more magnificent than in the photos, giant, grand, and not a single head on a spike in sight.
Shambles Shenanigans: Ghosts, Goblins, and Goodies
Next stop: The Shambles, a street so crooked and quirky, it feels like it was doodled by an artist with a wild imagination.
Legend has it, if you stand still long enough, you’ll hear the buildings swapping ghost stories about the tourists.
Dating back to the 14th century, The Shambles was once butcher central.
Think less shopping spree, more sausage parade. You can still spot the old meat hooks above the doors and the wide window shelves where shopkeepers once showed off their juiciest cuts.
These days, though, it’s mostly tourists gawking and selfie-ing, myself included (my face says “What even is this place?”).
Today, The Shambles is a treasure trove of the weird and wonderful. Fancy a chocolate frog, a haunted doll, or a jar of ‘bottled ghost’?
You’ll find them here, along with wizard supply shops, ghost tour ticket sellers, and bakeries with pastries so good you’ll wonder if there’s actual magic in the recipe.
If you ever wanted to buy a souvenir that could potentially haunt you, this is the spot.
There is a saintly slice of Shambles history: Margaret Clitherow, the ‘Pearl of York,’ once called The Shambles home.
In the late 1500s, she secretly harbored Catholic priests right here (talk about living dangerously in Tudor England!)
Her old house is now a shrine, and if you’re wandering by, you can spot a plaque marking the spot where courage and faith once outshone even the brightest shop windows.
Snickelways: Spooktacular Shortcuts
Just when I thought The Shambles couldn’t get any quirkier, I stumbled upon another of York’s hidden surprises: the snickelways.
There are officially 50 snickelways inside the York city walls.
Believe it or not, five of these wonderfully named, shadowy passageways snake right off The Shambles itself, like secret arteries pulsing with centuries-old secrets.
Naturally, curiosity pulled me in. As I crept into the first snickelway, the air grew colder, and the cobbles seemed to echo with ghostly footsteps.
It’s said that Mad Alice Lane is haunted by the restless spirit of Alice Smith, who was hanged for her supposed madness. Her laughter sometimes drifts through the alley at dusk, sending shivers down even the bravest traveler’s spine.
Some snickelways have witnessed midnight escapes, secret trysts, and the occasional unlucky soul vanishing into the fog.
For instance, it is said that Coffee Yard was once the scene of a notorious brawl that ended with a baker’s ghost supposedly cursing the alley. Locals still claim to smell burnt bread on chilly nights.
Some snickelways are so narrow you’ll need to walk single file, and local legend claims if you wander them after dark, you might cross paths with the ghost of a medieval pickpocket still looking for loose change, or, at the very least, spook yourself silly.
In centuries past, these shortcuts were perfect for sneaking away from trouble, plotting secret meetings, or dodging the local constable after one pie too many.
In York, even the alleyways come with a side of spooky stories and a dash of danger, so keep your wits about you as you explore!
Still Yorks More to Come
And just like that, the first half of my York daycation comes to a thrilling (and slightly spooky) close.
Nevertheless, my heart was still positively bursting with the kind of joy you only get from living out your own travel storybook. From walking city walls to wandering winding snickelways, I left no cobblestone unturned, and no pastry uneaten!
But don’t hang up your conductor’s hat just yet. The adventure’s only picking up steam!
In Part 2 of my York daycation extravaganza, I’ll take you aboard the Hop On Hop Off tour bus (where I accidentally became a champion napper), and we’ll make our way to the National Railway Museum for some train-size thrills.
Trust me, you won’t want to miss it. York still has plenty of surprises and laughs in store. So, keep your wanderlust ticket handy and your sense of adventure at the ready!
Until next time…
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