York

York is about as big a city as you'll find on this site.  It makes our list because of its walled-in medieval feel, cobblestone pedestrianized old-town, and multitude of fascinating sites, all within walking distance of each other.

York Minster (Cathedral) is, in our opinion, one of England's finest, second only to Cantebury.  It's the largest cathedral in Northern Europe and you get that sense wandering around inside.  Try to catch a concert to experience an extra dimension of its mystical power.

Betty's Tea Room is famous across England.  Expensive but worth it.  (For cheaper fare there is a handfull of pubs that do 2 for £10 specials and serve pretty decent food)

Walking the three miles atop the medieval City Wall is a great way to get a feel for York's layout, work in some exercise, capture a unique view of the cathedral, and experience the city's medieval roots.

The pedestrianized Old-town is chockablock full of small shops, street performers, fine restaurants and tea rooms, and old buildings.  Have a stroll and imagine you are living 700 years ago.

York's Train Museum, housed in the spectacular train station, is the best and biggest of its kind in England.  If you are into trains do NOT miss it.

The many Ghost Walks on offer in York play up the city's history of hauntings.  Well worth the tenner it will cost you.

Recommended Hotel: The Bar Convent lies just outside one of the city gates and is the real deal.  Still a convent but the nuns are all so old now that they need an extra source of income, so they turned to hospitality.  The chapel and glass-roofed courtyard where they serve tea and breakfast are alone worth the stay.  Choose a room named after your favorite saint (we chose Laurence, the patron saint of students and barbecues), but book in advance as this is a popular place to stay.

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Whitby Abbey

Imagine the ruins of an old cathedral perched above the North Sea, dripping with gothic mystique.  This is the ruined abbey that inspired Bram Stoker to write Dracula and set part of his classic there.  The church next door is surrounded by a gothic style Victorian cemetery, complete with bat-winged skeletons and large blackened tombstones.  The church is also interesting architecturally, being constructed in a mishmash of different asymetrical sections, each from different eras in time.

The view to the North features the medieval town of Whitby.  Now a thriving and unique modern city, you'll find every amenity there and plenty to do and see.  Check out their website for a complete list.

We strongly recommend visiting in April or October during the Whitby Goth Weekend.  Witness hoards of fully-clad goths strutting around the city and abbey and posing for the mass of photographers.  What an experience!

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Knaresborough

The main attraction in this charming town in Northern England is Mother Shipton's Petrifying Well, a sort of waterfall/well/cave that turns things to stone -- literally!  It's been a point of pilgrimage since the middle ages, and was actually England's first paying tourist attraction!  It's still certainly worth visiting.

The story goes that Mother Shipton, a witch, was born in the nearby cave, during a dramatic storm to a young woman cast out by her village.   She was famous for her psychic predictions, and the waterfall and well near her cave is believed to grants wishes.  Objects are hung in the dripping water, where you can see them in various states of petrification.  So awesome!


Knaresborough the town hangs on dramatic hills overlooking a river, and there's also a lovely riverside walk that circles the town and the cave.  There are quaint shops in town as well as the dramatic ruins of a castle to visit.

The Peak District

On the border between Northern and Central England sits the Peak District national park, great for hiking and experiencing quaint village charm.  Partly high moorland with scattered small peaks to summit, partly peppered with very small stone-built villages, and--like anywhere else in England--partly farmland.  We would personally recommend the village of Castleton and a pub there called The George.  Sit next to one of the fireplaces and try the bar-b-q bacon chicken.  Nearby are several interesting caves including "The Devil's Arse" (named for the constant, growling wind that emits from the opening), dramatic ridge-line and moorland trails, a ruined medieval castle, steam train rides, and heart-melting countryside drives.

Robin Hood's Bay

This picturesque seaside village on the northeast coast is about as charming as it gets.  Cars aren't allowed, so you can stroll the narrow lanes and imagine you're five hundred years back in time.  Trails go up and down the coast along the beach, or along the cliffs overlooking the water.  The town is famous for fossils, and if you look closely you might even find some washed up along the shore.  Robin Hood's Bay is also the end of the Coast to Coast hike, which stretches from one side of England to the other, so if you see any hikers limping by, congratulate them!

Sherwood Forest

If there was a real Robin Hood, he probably lived here.  Part of Sherwood Forest houses a Robin Hood Visitor's Center (mainly geared toward kids), and from there you can walk a path through the forest to the big oak tree where Robin Hood and his merry men are said to have lived.  Kids in costumes abound, and you can buy one (a costume, that is) at the gift shop.  The forest isn't one by any American standard-- it's more of a spacious woods, but lovely nonetheless.

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Liverpool

Beatles fans, ahoy!  Liverpool is a lively city on the rise with a moody wharf (or quay, pronounced "key"), full of restaurants, shops, and all things Beatles.  You can tour the childhood homes of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, too, but you'll need to book those tours in advance.  They're not too expensive, there's just limited space.  Liverpool Cathedral has some of the most impressive bells in the country, so be around for the chiming of the hours if you want to have a listen. 

The Lake District

This region in northern England is full of green hills and crystal lakes.  There's plenty of outdoor recreation -- hiking, swimming, boating, as well as a bunch of really quaint villages peppered with quirky museums, like the Pencil Museum (home to the world's largest pencil; we loved it), the James Bond Museum, famous ice cream shops, and a remarkable ancient stone circle -- Castlerigg Stone Circle -- in beautiful hilltop surroundings.  The Lake District been the home to many famous writers (Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter both left houses behind that you can visit).

For a break from hotels and a memorable countryside experience, consider staying in a Camping Barn (google for listings). 

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Dove Cottage

William Wordsworth's charming cottage nestled in the Lake District countryside.  Arrive in April and you will see seas of daffodils in bloom! 

Hilltop

Beatrix Potter's super-quaint home, nestled in the heart of the beautiful Lake District.  You will recognize many spots from her illustrations.

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Creswell Crags

A stunning glacial valley lined with caves, home to the only prehistoric cave art in the UK.  You'll take a guided walk complete with hard hat.  One of the caves (aptly called "Robin Hood's cave") is said to have been one of his hideouts.

Hadrian's Wall

(Hadrian's wall is the cover photo - gorgeous!)

When Rome was busy taking over the world, they charged through Britian without much trouble, until they reached the untamable Pict tribes up in Scotland.  Rather than exhaust their troops and supplies fighting the seemingly unstoppable barbarians for one tiny, rocky piece of land, they stopped and built a wall.  "This is the end of the Roman empire!" it proclaimed, and it now marks the farthest north Rome ever got.

The country up north is hauntingly beautiful, and the great wall continued to mark the border between England and Scotland for years.  Now it's just a cool place to go hiking.  (Oh, and there's also the spot where they filmed a bit of Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.) Incredibly scenic vistas await you, as well as the ruins of some impressive Roman camps and towns, and a whole lotta sheep.  After a stint in a city, this is a great place to breathe some fresh air, get some exercise on the 3-mile hike along the wall, and gasp at the beauty of Britain.

Recommended Hotel:
Twice Brewed Inn, an ancient pub perched right near the Wall, friendly service, great breakfast

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