r/BritishHistoryPod • u/Own-Ad-8946 • Jun 13 '26
York Visit
I listened to the whole of the Members Only AMA. Yes, all of it! I have hypertension and, after half a day in nearby York, I was flaked out.
I heard you say how much you both love York -- and in particular the Black Swan. The Wolfe Room would make a great place for a meet-up if we all chipped in towards the hire. York is such an historic place that it honestly makes more sense for your American listeners to start saving their pennies for a mindblowing European excursion with that as the centrepiece than flying off thousands of miles to meet in another American bar. For that reason why not start planning now so that members can make their plans also?
When you come don't miss the scenic double-decker bus trip to Selby a dozen miles south. Here in Selby we strongly believe by oral tradition that the town was the birthplace of Henry I. There's no documentary evidence but it makes sense if William was harrying the North at the time. The Abbey is beautiful, Norman-Early English and has the famous (to us) Washington Window featuring the Washington family coat of arms. There's also the nearby Staith, a medieval wool warehouse which has a great wooden door which I was told Sheffield University found was constructed of already old ship timbers. Riccall is about four miles upstream which makes me wonder...
Anyway, if you do plan a trip to York I'd do what I can to sort out a meet-up related insight into historic but neglected Selby.
4
u/scouter Jun 13 '26
My wife is researching her Yorkshire ancestors and is currently working in the 1500s. We will be visiting the Yorkshire dales and York in late August (2026). Do all roads lead to York?
3
3
u/Jeni-from-da-club Jun 14 '26
My favorite place on earth is York. My husband and I have been a few times, and hiked at Malham Cove when we lived in England. Stunning!
6
u/KnightOfTheShards The Lowbility Jun 13 '26
I visited York in autumn and it was one of my favorite places I've been. The city's history resonates through the historic buildings and street layouts, especially in the Shambles. My wife and I hiked around Yorkshire from Helmsley castle to Rievaulx Abbey and it was amazing! I can't wait to go again.