Why I love York
Hi! I’m Jas, and I’m a third-year English Language and Linguistics student at York St John. In today’s blog, I’m going to be sharing my favourite spots around York. York is such a great city, with so much to offer from cafes, nightlife, history and open spaces.
Making the most of York’s social scene
Coming to university, a lot of your time will be spent doing work, but for the other side of university life, York and the surrounding areas have some great spots to hang out with friends, meet fellow students and gain connections and experience.
York has many student pubs and bars, which, through my experience at university, have been some of the best places to meet friends. Due to York being a smaller city, but having two large universities, student nights are always interesting, and everyone seems to be connected somehow.
Whether you prefer quieter activities, meeting a friend for coffee or having a study session, York also has many great cafes to visit. Some are located along the river, while others are close to York Minster, where you can sit outside and enjoy the views.
Finding space to relax and recharge
In the heart of York, the Museum Gardens are a great place to sit in the sun, whether on the grass or by the river. The ruins there are also incredibly beautiful, making the space feel really special.
York has many other parks, but my favourite is Rowntree Park. Just a short walk along the river from the city centre and close to York Racecourse, it is the perfect place to relax during the day or in the evening.
It is usually busy, with people sitting on the bridge or spending time in the open spaces, but it has a great atmosphere and is the perfect spot for a barbecue or picnic.
York is also close to many other places, such as Whitby and Scarborough, as well as a range of National Trust properties. Although they are outside the city, they have been some of my favourite day trips away from university and have really added to my overall experience.
Discovering inspiration beyond the classroom
As an aspiring writer and history lover, York has so much to offer. The city has a rich Viking history, and it is celebrated throughout York. From the annual Viking Festival to the Jorvik Centre and the many museums and attractions across the city, there are plenty of opportunities to learn more about the past.
Being able to immerse myself in York’s history and learn something new outside of my course has been one of my favourite parts of university.
It has also given me opportunities to explore potential career interests. During my time in York, I volunteered as a tour guide at Barley Hall, one of York’s oldest townhouses.
York is such a scenic city that finding inspiration is rarely difficult, although knowing where to look is a skill in itself.
Living here, I would say York is a safe city, which helps it feel more like home. It is not a huge city, but that is part of what makes it so welcoming, and the same is true of the university. Being part of a smaller university means teaching feels more personal, which has made my studies feel more individual and engaging.
York is still a bustling city with so much to offer, from history and green spaces to day trips and cultural attractions. There is something for everyone to enjoy, and York might just be the perfect place to find your own favourite spots.
Theres more to find out about student life in York here: https://www.yorksj.ac.uk/study/student-life/life-in-york/
