Old Town, York

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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 walk along the York town walls will leave a lasting impression of the townscape. Built mainly in the 14th century, they follow the line of the Roman walls for much of the way, and incorporate some Roman work. The walls have a total extent of some 3mi/4.8km, with six gates or "bars". Four of the old gates have been preserved - Walmgate Bar, Monk Bar and Bootham Bar, all with the original portcullis, and Micklegate Bar, with three figures of knights. Micklegate and Monk Bar can be entered. The stretch of wall between Bootham Bar and Monk Bar offers the finest view of the Minster.

York Castle, between Fishergate and Skeldergate Bridge, was built of wood by the Normans in 1068, in order to ward off opponents hoping to conquer the north of England, mainly in York. The oldest remaining part is Clifford's Tower, the keep once belonging to Henry III's extensive castle. Constructed in the 13th century as a replacement for the wooden fortress, it was later named after Roger de Clifford, who was executed here in 1322 as leader of the Lancastrian party. In 1190 about 150 Jews, pursued by a mob incited by the Crusade propaganda against their people, sought refuge in the old wooden tower and were burnt to death. Prison buildings erected on the site in the 18th century are now used to house a museum.

York Castle Museum offers a marvelous insight into the English way of life throughout various centuries. It includes Kirkgate, a Victorian street with a number of small shops.

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

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

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.

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

The Jorvik Viking Centre is in Coppergate. This museum documents the daily lives of the Vikings in the ninth/10th centuries. It includes reconstructions of homes in Danish Jorvik, York's former name, and replicas of early medieval workshops.

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

This attraction is Closed Permanently.

Situated in Lower Friargate, the Friargate Museum's collection of wax figures, ranging from Alfred the Great to current models, bring history alive.