Bedern Hall

This restored 14th century hall on Bartle Garth, originally part of the College of Vicars Choral, is available for weddings, conferences, seminars and similar events. There is a Mothers' Day lunch this coming Sunday. 

The venue is centrally situated, but easily missed, tucked away between Goodramgate and St. Andrewgate, a few minutes on foot from York Minster.  The snow is from 2009-10.

Rowntree Park 6

These are the impressive east gates opening onto the River Ouse. The houses on the other side of the park are on Bishopthorpe Road. 

St Cuthbert's, Peaseholme Green

This is reckoned to be the oldest church in York after the Minster itself. It is now an administrative centre for St Michael le Belfry, and home to Yo-Yo schools work, for which see the sidebar. For a view of the other side of the church taken from the city walls, go here, and for the main door with a carpet of crocuses, here.

Very close by is a smart Italian restaurant, a lovely public garden, the Tapestry Museum and the Black Swan pub. 

At the crossroads …

looking up Low Petergate from King's Square to the wonderful west towers of York Minster. To the left is Church Street, and to the right Goodramgate. 

Music for your mouth 4

The El Piano courtyard, Grape Lane, has been extended, two years after the initial negotiations for the few extra square metres of yard at the back of the restaurant. There is still work to do, but the space is operational. It was so warm the day this picture was taken that I had to sit in the shade - in March - in the UK! You don't have to be vegan to eat here, but that's what they serve, and you won't be disappointed.

Neo-classical v medieval

Methodist column sees off rival Anglican tower? Well, not much rivalry here, as St Saviour's, though an active church, is no longer a place of worship. It is home to DIG York, featured here and elsewhere on this blog.

The way the cookie crumbles

Enlarging the photo will reveal the pearls of wisdom iced onto the cookies in this King's Square establishment..

Chim chiminee …

Rooftops and chimneys, many of the latter sealed off, of Shambles, Little Shambles, King's Square and perhaps Colliergate seen from the third floor (gents clothing) of Marks and Spencer. The outdoor market is directly below, out of this view, and the Minster is to the left. No sign of Mary Poppins.

Unitarian Chapel St Saviourgate

This beautifully maintained chapel hosts some classy concerts: 

French leave

This is a repeat entry of one of my favourite photos: the French House on Micklegate. It has sadly relocated out-of-town, but there are imaginative plans for the site. 

Flash door 2 …

somewhere within the city walls. I need some help with verticals.

Fruit 'n veg on Blake Street

Rooftops east from Clifford's Tower

A long view on a dull day, showing the Morrison's chimney and Rowntree Wharf. The River Foss is just out of sight in front of the foreground buildings. The modern brick building in the centre is a car park.

Dig that church

 

St Saviour's church, St Saviourgate, is now the home of DIG, a hands-on archæological experience which some rate a better visit than the Jorvik Viking Centre. This view is just slightly to the right of yesterday's. For details of the huge Hungate dig just across the street from this centre, take a look at the YAT (York Archeological Trust) site here. The excavations are due to run until the end of this year.

St Saviourgate to Rowntree Wharf

This is the view from the space between St Saviour's church, now The Dig, and the pretty row of cottages which form part of Hungate. Non-native speakers might be interested in the play on words in Dig York: as well as its archeological significance, dig can also mean like, appreciate, understand, so you can dig York without a shovel or spade.

St Helen's Square

Rooftop and upper storey architecture above Betty's tearooms and other commercial establishments on the south-east side of St Helen's Square.

York Minster from Low Petergate

Taken a little further back than some of my other shots and therefore including Drake's Fish and Chips sign as well as the wonderful west towers against an almost clear blue sky.

Ladies in red

but only one plying her trade on the Ouse by Lendal Bridge. The building on the right of the bridge is the café from which this earlier picture was taken.

Red door on St Andrewgate

The title says all I know about this one. 

Lendal Cellars

Between the Guildhall archway (see below) and the Post Office is the entrance to Lendal Cellars, a real ale pub in the heart of York. It gets this review from a US citizen in Dallas: good fish and chips … the dungeon-like underground atmosphere is cool and strangely comforting - a great place for pub lunch or quick drink with friends - one of my favorite pubs in York.

The Guildhall

The Guildhall entrance viewed from St Helen's Square. The present building, situated on the River Ouse, is a replica of a 15th century construction which suffered bomb damage during WWII. Visited by King Richard II in 1483, it later hosted the trial of Margaret Clitherow, found guilty in 1586 of harboring Catholic priests. 

Judges Lodgings 2

Another angle on the Judges Lodgings Hotel entrance on Lendal shown a few days ago.

Lift up your heads - and voices

A deliberately full-on view of the upper storeys of Banks music shop on Lendal. The building dates from 1897; unfortunately the light was poor so the decoration on the parapet and pediment are rather blurred in enlargement. Part of the Music room group, which explains the rather loud shop sign, Banks also specialises in choral sheet music. 

York Minster and The Red House

Looking down Duncombe Place past The Red House to the west face of York Minster. Now a quality antique centre,  The Red House was built in 1700 for the Lord Mayor; it also features on this blog here. The stone building just after the Red House is St Wilfrid's Roman Catholic church.

Coney Street: stone meets timber

This is where Coney Street meets New Street. The stone building is now home to Starbucks, whilst Orange have a boutique on the first floor of the timbered construction. Even independent coffee-shop fans should visit Starbucks here, if only to admire the ceiling. 

Judges Lodgings 1

This is the impressive entrance to The Judges Lodgings Hotel, a Grade 1 listed Georgian town house on Lendal, featuring function rooms and a cellar bar. There should be an apostrophe in the name, but this is how it appears on the website. Apologies for the persistent perpendicularity problems.

Ladies in red in diamonds

York tourist boats from inside one of the Lendal Bridge cafés. Thanks to those who commiserated with us about the closure of Blake Head bookshop and café; sadly it is indeed the vegetarian one on Micklegate, Jackie from Glasgow.