Five ‘hidden’ gems for return reunions in York
We know that York’s a popular location to visit, so what should the seasoned reunion visitor visit? York is a city covered with cobbled streets, medieval overhangs and a soaring Minster; but what do you do when you’ve seen the sights? What do you do when your group fancies doing something a little different than usual? Here are five slightly lesser known things to do or see next time you visit York!
1. Take a look inside Holy Trinity Church, Goodramgate
As a student, you probably walked past this tiny church a lot, but you might never have noticed it! Hidden behind Goodramgate, the church really is a hidden gem with limited opening times. Take a step into the past and look round a church lit entirely by candelight, complete with box pews and beautiful stained glass. Plus, for fans of the BBC’s Gentleman Jack, this is the church were Anne Lister ‘married’ her wife Ann Walker in 1834. York Civic Trust have installed a plaque in commemoration.
You can find out more about this medieval gem on the Churches Conservation Trust website.
2. Go along the river path
Leave the busy streets behind and enjoy a quieter side of York along the River Ouse. Enjoy a wide and well-lit path along the river, snap a picture from the Millennium Bridge and see the other side of York on your way back to the City Centre. Plus, visit Rowntree’s Park along the way for pretty flower boarders, geese and maybe even an ice cream!
Make sure to check whether the river has begun to flood before setting out; you can always get to Rowntree Park another way!
3. Visit Barley Hall
Tucked between two popular streets, Barley Hall is a medieval townhouse managed by the local Jorvik Group. Feel immersed in the experience as you explore replica rooms, feel original tiles beneath your feet and understand life in York way before York St John was founded.
Plus, if you visit near Christmas there are opportunities to attend Medieval Banquets, if your reunion group is that daring! You can also hire the space for your own medieval banquet if that’s your cup of tea! You can learn more about Barley Hall on their website.
4. Go on an open-top bus reunion tour
See the city in style (of a sort)! The open-top tour buses highlight some of York’s hidden history and are a convenient way around the city. Book your reunion group tickets to see some of York’s best historical sites from the comfort of your own seat.
If you’ve mostly done the same thing the past few reunions, this is a great way to see different parts of the history, and is a convenient way of getting between different parts of the city. You can find out more on the CitySightSeeing York website.
5. Book a ghost walk around York
York is famed as a haunted city, so why not learn more about it’s famous ghosts and dark past? There are plenty of different types of ghost tour in York which cater to a wide range of audiences, so whether you’re revisiting with family or enjoying a weekend with old student friends, this might be the key for a night to remember!
Some say, if you walk through the Quad at night that you’ll see a shadowy figure walking along quad east carrying a glowing candlestick…
You can find out more about ghost tours around York, and pick your level of scariness, on the VisitYork website.
+1 Make sure to tell us about your reunion
Big or small, we’d love to hear about your reunion plans. Email alumni@yorksj.ac.uk to tell us more about your alumni reunion.
