York - Old Town

One road away from All Saints Church is the Shambles (derived from the window-sills which were called "shambles"), a narrow dark street of old houses where butchers used to sell their wares, but which is now home to antiques and souvenir shops.

From Blake Street, the area between Coney Street and King's Square is a pedestrianized shopping quarter. Nearby St Helen's Church, named in honor of the mother of Emperor Constantine and with 15th century stained glass windows, and attractive medieval Stonegate are further architectural highlights, as is the Mansion House, designed by Lord Burlington and built in 1725, now the official residence of the Lord Mayor.

All Saints, Pavement, is an old guild church with 14th century glass paintings, a 16th century roof, a 17th century pulpit and interesting tombstones.

After crossing the Ouse Bridge another quarter containing more historical buildings is reached. It is worth visiting All Saints' Church in North Street to view the 15th century stained glass windows. Based on the writings of Richard Rolle (about 1300-1349), a Yorkshire monk and hermit, and the founder of mysticism in England, they depict the Last Fifteen Days of the World in a series of pictures each of which has an appropriate line of text below it.

Bedern Street leads off from Goodramgate and contains 14th century Bedern Hall, the former dining hall of the choristers.

Bootham Bar is one of the medieval city gates. Some attractive Georgian buildings, such as Bootham School, St Peter's School and Ingram's Hospital (1640) stand in the street of the same name.

Churches worth visiting are St Martin-le-Grand in Coney Street (charming mixture of medieval and modern architecture; Martin's Window), and, a little further away, St Michael's in Spurriergate, which features 12th century arcades, glass paintings and an 18th century altarpiece.

The City of York Art Gallery in Exhibition Square has a collection of English and European paintings dating from the Middle Ages to modern times.

York Dungeon, with its bloodthirsty horror show, is in Clifford Street.

Fairfax House was the splendid classical town residence of Viscount Fairfax; designed by John Carr and built in about 1762, it contains items detailing 18th century life.

A gateway from Stonegate gives access to the Guildhall (1449-1459, rebuilt after war damage) on the banks of the River Ouse.

Follow The Stonebow past the half-timbered Black Swan Inn (15th century) to Piccadilly. Here stands Merchant Adventurers' Hall (1357-1361), the merchants' and rich tradesmen's most distinguished guildhall. Occupying a position near the River Foss, it has a fine undercroft with oak pillars and a 15th century chapel.

Merchant Taylors' Hall (late 14th century), the guildhall of the cloth merchants, is situated in Aldwark. At the end of Aldwark is another medieval guildhall, St Anthony's Hall.

From the west front of the Minster Duncombe Place leads to the Museum Gardens, in which are the remains of St Leonard's Hospital (11th century) and parts of the Roman fortress with the Multangular Tower, to which the medieval town walls were joined.

Try to see St Martin-cum-Gregory (13th century, 15th and 18th century stained glass) in Micklegate, where there are some fine Georgian houses.

St Mary's Church in Bishophill Junior has a Saxon tower and an altar by Temple Moore (1856-1920).

The history of York is illustrated in the exhibition "The York Story", situated nearby in the former St Margaret's Church in Castlegate.

Follow St Leonard's Place, with its attractive Georgian town residences, past the Theatre Royal, where the actress Sarah Siddons enjoyed great success, and on to Blake Street, site of the elegant 18th century. Assembly Rooms, designed by the architect John Carr (1723-1807).

King's Square leads to Goodramgate and attractive little Trinity Church (14th century), with its small garden.

St Denys' Church in Walmgate has 14th/15th century stained glass windows and a Norman south doorway, while St Margaret's contains a Roman doorway and tower. At the end of the street is Walmgate Bar, one of the city's attractive gates.

The Yorkshire Museum contains important archaeological (mainly Roman and Anglo-Saxon finds), and geological and natural history collections. Medieval sculptures and utensils are exhibited in another branch of the museum including parts of the building of St Mary's Abbey, founded in 1098. The Hospitium (abbey guesthouse) near the River Ouse has survived.