Must See Sights and Landmarks in Westow Area

"Perched atop a grassy motte is Clifford’s Tower, which is one of the last remaining parts of York Castle. Originally built out of wood by the Normans, it was reinforced and rebuilt out of stone in the thirteenth century and the sturdy keep is now a popular tourist attraction in York. Wrecked by a massive explosion in 1684, its hollow, gutted interior was later used as both a prison and treasury."

"Clifford’s Tower, a semi-ruined 13th-century remnant of York Castle, is also one of the few Norman relics in a city dominated by Viking influence. Nowadays, Clifford’s Tower is one of the most popular and emblematic sights in York, and the panoramic views from the tower’s ramparts make it an excellent starting point for first-time visitors to historic York."

"Seeing this amazing structure from the street is brilliant and free. It sits perfectly on top of its hill overlooking the city. It is almost all that remains of York Castle built by William the Conqueror and today is looked after by English Heritage"

"This guildhall in the city of York was one of the most important buildings in the medieval city. The majority of the Hall was built in 1357 by a group of influential men and women who came together to form a religious fraternity called the Guild of Our Lord Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary. The main part of the building consists of the Great Hall, the Undercroft and the Chapel."

"Just a short drive from the city center you can find the York Cold War Bunker which is unlike any of the other historic attractions in the area. Wonderfully well-preserved, it dates to 1961 and is the only Royal Observer Corps bunker of its kind that you can take tours around. Once one of around thirty such sites in the UK, it was in this semi-subterranean two-storey bunker that members of the Corps and a scientific warning team would have sheltered in the event of a nuclear war."

"The York Cold War Bunker has to be one of the city’s most captivating attractions. Tucked down a quiet residential cul-de-sac, you’ll find the inconspicuous entrance through an industrial-looking bomb-proof door. Go past the decontamination room, and down to the control centre, dormitory, and staff room where, for more than 30 years, this place hummed with activity, staffed by volunteers ready to map and manage the fallout from a nuclear blast."

"A mile outside of the city centre, York Cold War Bunker tells the story of a country on the brink of nuclear warfare. Designed to monitor nuclear fallout in the event of an attack in Yorkshire, the semi-submerged bunker affords visitors the chance to explore some of York’s more unusual history. Built in 1961, the bunker served as the regional headquarters for the Royal Observer Corps until 1991."

"Once the richest abbey in the north of England, St Mary's lies in what are now the York Museum Gardens, on a steeply-sloping site to the west of York Minster. The abbey dates back to 1086 and over time became the wealthiest monastery in northern England before it was dissolved by Henry VIII in 1539. Over the next 200 years, it fell into disrepair and was largely dismantled for its stone."

"St Mary’s Abbey is a ruined Benedictine abbey in York, surrounded by the Museum Gardens and next to the Yorkshire Museum. It was once the richest abbey in the north of England. 575 metres from the Minster.Yorkshire Museum, Museum St, York YO1 7FR, United Kingdom"

"High on the isthmus between the old town and castle, St Mary’s is a Grade I listed church, first erected in the 12th century. That building was mostly lost in Civil War in the 17th century, and was rebuilt at the end of the 1600s. Out in the sprawling graveyard you can find the ruins of the old west towers, which give a sense of how much larger the Medieval church used to be."

"Step back in time at this beautifully restored, fully operational windmill. This Grade II listed icon has been lovingly brought back to life by the Holgate Windmill Preservation Society, a collection of local residents who rallied together to secure its future and rescue it from disrepair. Dating back to the late 18th century, the windmill supplied flour from Holgate to York, just over a mile from the city centre."

"Occupying the 91-metre promontory between the north and south bays are the remnants of Scarborough’s Medieval castle. This indomitable roost over the North Sea was a hill fort in the Bronze Age, and in the fourth century was used as a signal station by the Romans. You can now locate the ruins of an Anglo-Saxon chapel, built around 1000 on the site of the signal station."

"Wonderful views of the bay, informative guides and very helpful staff. Lots of space to walk around and have a picnic or food from the tea room. There is a good cafe on the site with plenty of choice."

"Although customers can collect their takeaway, Monkey King Chinese also has a delivery service. Customers say that their food arrives in a timely manner and that it is always hot on delivery. Other positive points raised are the friendly customer service and the good quality of the tasty food."

"A chain of restaurants in Manchester, Leeds, and York - Red Chilli, is one of the few places specializing in Sichuan cuisine around the UK. The menu ranges from unusual dishes like the jellyfish with spring onion and crushed garlic; sliced ox heart, ox tongue, ox tripe in a chili sauce with crushed peanuts, crystal pigs’ ears layers, and more. And to show how spicy and hot your dish will be, you will find chili indicators on the menu."

"There is the option to eat out or takeaway at Happy Valley, and it is one of the cheapest Chinese takeaways in York. Despite the low prices, the food is excellent quality, and there are plenty of options on the menu to suit all tastes. There are also some unusual items on the menu that you do not see at many Chinese restaurants and takeaways."

"Fancy Hanks is a welcome addition to York, serving American deep South good mood food. They have an excellent all day breakfast menu that includes an American Breakfast (Two Rashes of Streaky Bacon, Homemade Sausage Pattie, Two Eggs, Home Fries, Toast), Chorizo Hash (Chorizo, Potato, Onion, Tomato, Roasted Pimento Pepper and Scallions stir fried and topped with Chipotle Mayo & a Fried Egg) and Mushrooms On Toast (Sauteed Mushrooms, Parmesan, Pine Nuts, Mixed Herbs, Spinach, Guacamole and a Poached Egg on top of toasted bloomer.)"

"Eat & Drink, Chinese, Thai & Asian"

"Eat & Drink, Cafés & Tearooms"

"This highly-regarded theatre is a cultural touchstone for North Yorkshire. For more than 35 years up to 2009 the theatre’s artistic director was playwright Sir Alan Ayckboure, and in that time nearly all of his plays premiered at this venue. On the menu will be high-quality productions at the 404-seatrer theatre in the round, and 165-seat end-on stage auditorium."

"Scarborough’s vast open air theatre is located within Northstead Manor Gardens in the North Bay area and offers a packed programme of concerts featuring some of the biggest names in pop music. Ranked as the largest open air theatre in Europe, the venue is impressive and has a rich history as a natural amphitheatre dating back to the 1930s. A host of food and drink outlets are on-site alongside ample parking and merchandise stalls"

"The walled city of York was founded by the Romans nearly two thousand years ago, and has seen it’s fair share of history – for a time it was even ruled by the Vikings, and was known as Jórvík. Today, there are still many reminders of the cities medieval past. A walk through “the Shambles” is a must – a winding medieval street overhung by old, timber framed houses and lined with pretty shops."

"For a trip to York or Leeds, you would need just under four hours. With your car hire from Auto Europe there are no limits, only those which you set. Enjoy your holiday in the UK!"