York Part 2

When we were given our free time, two of my friends from the tour and I raced to ‘Betty’s Tea Room’, an iconic, very British tea room, famous not only for its food, ambience and formal service, but also for sheltering WW2 Canadian pilots in its basement when York was bombed. Apparently there are marks they had scratched on the mirrors down there at that time. The tea room has recently celebrated its 60th anniversary. 

After waiting in the queue for a while, we only had time for a light meal, but it was so lovely sitting there in luxury with such a delightful waitress looking after us, looking out at all the brightly-coloured flowers that decorate the shops and streets in that area. 

Near the end of our walk with our local guide, we walked through a square with a famous chocolate shop  - York is the home of the ‘Kit Kat! - then down a very medieval, narrow lane known as ‘The Shambles’. There were many enticing shops down the lane, including confectionery shops, and a very busy Harry Potter shop. People queue for some time to enter that shop! Quite a few of our tour group went back to this lane after our guided tour ended. 

At the end of The Shambles were more old buildings. One caught my eye as it showed a white cat leaping out of the wall. Apparently ghost stories abound in this spot, and the old pub in one of the photos below is supposed to be haunted. A man on the corner who was wearing a top hat and top coat was giving out fliers advertising his ghost walk that night.

That evening we walked to a local pub called ‘Walmgate Ale House & Bistro’. This was once the home of the rope maker who supplied the ropes for hangings in medieval times. Bits of rope hung down from the ceiling as a reminder of the origins of the building. There we not only had a fine meal and tasting of local ales (though I did not try them myself), but also were regaled with stories of York’s past by a witty, cheerful young psychology student from the university. Mind you, he kept sipping the ale throughout his speeches on local ales and local history, which may account for some of his good cheer. 

I was impressed that this family-owned alehouse specialised in cooking ‘farm-to-table’ meals. This  is  growing movement in northern England. I have to say that the Yorkshire puddings they served were humungous! And much crisper and more tasty than I have tried elsewhere. 

Anyhow, it was a great night and a memorable end to our time in York. 

But it was hard to get up early the next morning for our trip to Edinburgh . . .

Inside Betty's tea room. The lovely large tea pot on the front bench was especially made to celebrate their 60 years of service.

Looking out of the tea room.

Some of the local ales provided for the ale-tasting.

Did you ever see such a large Yorkshire pudding?

Walking down the Shambles.

The 'haunted' pub is second from the right.

The 'leaping' cat.

Lovely old building we saw as we hiked towards our hotel. 

A delightful square in the heart of York, near the Viking museum.