Guy Fawkes, England’s most famous terrorist, was born and educated in York. Visit his birthplace in Petergate (next to St. Michael Le Belfry) and his school at St. Peters on Bootham (approximately 1 mile from Bootham Bar)…read more
Dick Turpin, England’s most famous highwayman was imprisoned & executed in York…read more
York Racecourse is regarded as ‘the Ascot of the North’ and hosted the Royal Ascot meeting in 2005, attended by 
Queen Elizabeth II…read more
The River Ouse is well known for its floods and at least once a year the river breaks its banks in York with spectacular effects…read more
Over 200,000 people visited the Knavesmire in May 1982 for the visit of Pope John Paul II.
The Duke of York is a title given to the second son of the monarch.
The city and state of New York were named after the Duke of York (James Stuart). The title is also the subject of a popular nursery rhyme, “The Grand Old Duke of York”…read more
York is the home to the Archbishop of York, the second highest position in the Church of England.
York is known as England’s ‘Railway City’. Its home to some of the most famous steam trains in the world, including the Mallard and the Flying Scotsman. The NRM also has a replica of The Rocket (the world’s first train) and Japan’s Bullet train.
York and its surrounding area was one of the primary areas for RAF Bomber Command during World War II…read more
York has one of the only fully complete Barbican Gates in Europe…read more
‘The Shambles’ was recently voted ‘Britain’s Most Picturesque Street’
York Minster was devastated by fire after being struck by lightning in 1984.
York was voted ‘the most haunted city in the world’.
Constantine The Great was crowned Roman Emperor in York in 306 AD, following the death of his father Constantius I, whilst visiting the city.
During the Civil War, York was a Royalist stronghold. In the only time in its history, the city was under siege, and the English parliament sat at Kings Manor.
York has more miles of intact city walls than any other city in England.
York has the third oldest school in the world (St. Peters School, Bootham).
Archaeologists have yet to find the main Roman port or amphitheatre in York.
York was mentioned in the Domesday Book (which was a great land survey commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086).
York and its surrounding area has seen some of the bloodiest battles on English soil, including Marsden Moor and Stamford Bridge.
The central tower of York Minster was found to be sinking during 1960s, and had to be underpinned.
Famous people from York include Guy Fawkes, Judi Dench, William Etty, John Barry and WH Auden.
York Sandstone is considered one of the finest building materials in the UK. It is the primary material used to build the Minster
York Minster has its own police force.
York and surrounding areas has featured in many film and TV series sets over the years, such as Brideshead Revisited and Robinson Crusoe.
There are more pubs within the city walls than days in the year!
York hosts the UK’s largest annual food festival.
York was built where it was because the river confluence between the Foss and the Ouse made for a perfect defence.
York attracts over 4 million visitors a year who spend over £443 million. This has created nearly 23,000 jobs in the local economy.
A huge maize maze is designed and grown on the outskirts of York every summer. Each year features a different design.
York's Maize Maze - 2011 Harry Potter
York is twinned with Dijon in France and Munster in Germany.
In Victorian times, the city’s walls were very nearly knocked down…..
York has only ever been under siege once in its history…..
Under local laws, it is allegedly still legal to shoot a Scotsman with a bow and arrow inside the city walls.
Current population – approximately 185,000. However, 1.5 million people live within a 45-minute drive of the city centre.
In a recent Google Earth poll, Stonegate was ranked in the top 20 fashion streets in the UK, and Fossgate was ranked in the top 20 “foodie” streets.
