WHY?

Why wouldn’t you want to live in this walkable, wonderful city oozing with charm? Historic York on the banks of the River Ouse attracts millions of visitors each year, famous for its Minster dominating the skyline, with city walls dating back to a Roman heyday. The city has atmospheric streets like the quirky Shambles to explore, but the biggest draw is that it’s a hip, happy and happening place today. You’ll never tire of its jaw-dropping ancient architecture juxtaposed by contemporary coffee shops, stylish boutiques, great restaurants and world-renowned museums. And the cherry on the cake? Its devotion to all things chocolate.

EAT

The Star Inn The City Terrace. Photo credit www.baileycooper.co.uk — The Star Inn The City/ Bailey Cooper

You won’t be stuck for fine dining in York. The Michelin-starred Roots by chef restaurateur chums Tommy Banks (Black Swan at Oldstead) and Matthew Lockwood, is a finesse-filled, field-to-fork phenomenon. Michelin-starred chef Andrew Pern (Star Inn at Harome) also brings a taste of the countryside to York in The Star Inn The City at the unique Old Engine House. The Legacy at The Grand has already created just that with three AA Rosette tasting menus and matching wine flights. And Skosh has earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand for its zesty, international influences.

Price-savvy locals beat a path to Oshibi for Korean barbecue; mouth-watering, no-reservations Mannion & Co; two moreish Ambiente Tapas restaurants; genuinely certified Neopolitan pizza at Cresci Pizzeria and the many excellent pubs with great-view beer gardens. There is some great street food to be had too – North African grab-and-go Los Moros now also has a relished restaurant. And from the plethora of cafes, you still can’t skip afternoon tea at Yorkshire institution Bettys, although coffee connoisseurs swing by Spring Espresso.

SHOP

York Designer outlet woman holding up silver sequin dress — York Designer Outlet

Dating back to 1086, no wonder The Shambles is described as the real Diagon Alley. Jostling through this narrow, cobblestone street is a spellbinding experience, thanks to its gravity-defying buildings and magical, Harry Potter-inspired addresses like The Shop That Must Not Be Named or The Potions Cauldron.

The Quarter refers to the melee of medieval streets in the heart of the city such as Swinegate and Stonegate, where you can explore department to designer, high street to indie stores such as Fenwick, Browns of York, Mulberry and the historic haberdashery Duttons for Buttons.

There are sleek boutiques and antiques to find in hidden ‘snickelways’ and ‘ginnels’ with surprising names such as Grape Lane (formerly Grope) and York’s shortest, Whip Ma Whop Ma Gate. Or find cut-price bargains galore at out-of-town York Designer Outlet with more than 100 Muddy favourites, from Dr Martens and Ugg to Sweaty Betty and Samsonite, easily reached from a park & ride bus at the railway station.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

The gym and spa of York’s only five-star hotel, The Grand York, makes a feature of the vault doors of the former North Eastern Railway HQ, while for more bubbles or biceps, head to No1 York, Middlethorpe Hall and The Principal York. York’s David Lloyd Club includes a gym, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, spa, tennis and new padel courts, exercise classes and clubroom, plus parents may find the crèche and kids club a godsend. Bannatyne Health Club will suit those around Nether Poppleton. York Sport Village is a multi-activity centre with everything from swimming and cycling to racquet sports and exercise classes. There are city walls, riverside trails and parks for walking, jogging and cycling. Rowing and other water sports are available on the River Ouse.

COMMUNITY

A population of around 200,000 means that York still has a close-knit, community feel with a young, student vibe. York Rotary volunteers support local and international causes through fund raising, network and youth projects, with their fun, flagship Dragon Boat Challenge. A busy city annual events calendar includes a novel York Residents Festival in January, with attractions, experiences and discounts.

York Restaurant Week in March celebrates the local eateries, and there’s the York Food & Drink Festival in September. You’ll want to dig out your glad rags for race days at York Racecourse and events such as York Unleashed Comic-Con and the Music Showcase Weekend. Other big celebrations include the Jorvik Viking Festival and York Pride, and twinkling York is one of the most festive cities in the UK, with its vibrant Christmas markets.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

The wonderful York Minster is the largest Gothic cathedral in north Europe, and York residents and students don’t pay for entry. Free walking tours meet outside the Minster twice daily during summer, although the city walls are easy to self-navigate following symbols underfoot. Step aboard a long ship time capsule at the Jorvik Viking Centre to sail back to the ninth century Viking settlement from which York got its name.

Once home to confectionery giants such as Rowntree’s and Terry’s, York’s Chocolate Story is like a Willy Wonka dream come true with interactive tours and oodles of choccies. The largest remaining part of York Castle, Clifford’s Tower, has a new roof deck with 360° views, while nearby Castle Howard, a filming location for Bridgerton and Brideshead Revisited, is a fab day out with glorious gardens. Or cruise the River Ouse, in daytime or after dark.

CULTURE

There are more museums here than Muddy can shake a stick at – and some are free, such as the indoor National Railway Museum with its legendary locomotives. A multi-entry York Pass allows you to explore highlights at discounted prices, while many attractions offer free return within 12 months – handy if you live on the doorstep! The Yorkshire Museum and interactive DIG, Jorvik’s sister, are great introductions to the city, while York Museum Gardens make a nice picnic spot and setting for outdoor events like the Proms in summer. York Art Gallery, the Grand Opera House, the Theatre Royal, Friargate Theatre and independent cinema City Screen are all vibrant venues with year-round exhibitions, concerts, plays, films and shows. You’ll often catch live music in the atmospheric pubs.

AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES

The average house price in York is £313,000. The city isn’t cheap, but you get a lot of bang for your buck – flats cost an average £196,000; the most popular terraced properties £274,000; semi-detached £327,000 and detached a cool £499,000.

HOT PROPERTY

move to york — Fancy owning a beautifully renovated Grade I-listed townhouse in the heart of York built in 1757 by John Carr? Yours for £3.5m.

NURSERIES

There are no fewer than 11 nurseries in and around York rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted and they include six Little Green Rascals, all committed to eco-friendly practices and organic meals. Funfishers in Fishergate provides wraparound care for children aged nine months to 11 years old, but we’re drawn to Muddy Boots Nursery (can’t think why) in Upper Poppleton for ages from three months to five years. Independent school Queen’s Kindergarten has early years provision at the Excellent rated Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate.

SCHOOLS

For primary school, Woodthorpe and St Mary’s Church of England in pretty Askham Richard are both rated Outstanding by Ofsted. For secondary schools, look to Huntington School and Archbishop Holgate’s School, both also rated Outstanding.

Among independent schools, the girls’ The Mount School York was shortlisted for an Independent Schools of the Year Award. Prestigious Queen Ethelburga’s College is highly regarded, as are Excellent rated private St Peter’s School, York and Bootham.

BEST KEPT SECRET

Forget the dashing myth – Dick Turpin wasn’t a romantic rogue but an Essex butcher-turned-poacher who robbed, murdered, and fled to Yorkshire as “John Palmer” before being hanged at York racecourse. His fame came a century later via a glamorised novel, but you can still visit his cell at York Castle Museum, his grave in Fishergate – and, if local whispers are right, spot his ghostly horseman thundering by (eep!).

COMMUTE

From the very central railway station just beyond the city walls, direct trains can reach London in 2h 21mins or Edinburgh in 2h 24mins, as well as other nearby hubs such as Leeds (43mins), Harrogate (36mins), Sheffield (1hr 11mins) and Manchester (1hr 40mins). The A1 main north-south route is 15 miles away reached by the A64 dual carriageway. But as York can get very congested during rush hour, Muddy prefers the comprehensive park and ride facilities for city commutes. Leeds Bradford International Airport is around 25 miles away and Manchester International Airport 64 miles.

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