York

York is a historic city in North Yorkshire, England. It is where the rivers Ouse and Foss meet. York has many old and important buildings, like a large church called a minster, a castle, and strong city walls.

The city started a long time ago in AD 71. The Romans called it Eboracum. It was important to the Romans and later to other groups, such as Deira, Northumbria, and Scandinavian York.

In the Middle Ages, York became a center for religion and trade, especially with wool. In the 1800s, it grew because of railroads and making sweets.

During the Second World War, some of York’s historic buildings were damaged by bombing. Fixing these buildings took many years and continued until the 1960s. Today, the city is governed by the City of York Council, which looks after local services for York and nearby areas, including villages and the town of Haxby.

Toponymy

York has had many names over time. The Romans called it Eburacum or Eboracum. The Anglo-Saxons called it Eoforwīc, which means "boar town". The Vikings called it Jórvík or Jórk. This later became the modern name "York" in the 13th century. An older name, Everwyk or Everwich, was used but disappeared after the 15th century.

History

Main article: History of York

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of York.

Early history

People lived in the York area long ago, between 8000 and 7000 BC. By the time the Romans came, the land was home to a tribe called the Brigantes. The Romans built a wooden fort in York in AD 71. This fort had walls made of stone later on and held 6,000 soldiers. Important Roman leaders like Hadrian, Septimius Severus, and Constantius I visited York.

York became a city, and in AD 306, Constantius I died there. His son Constantine the Great was named emperor there. A bishop from York went to a meeting in AD 314 to represent Christians.

The city was sometimes flooded and its population fell. Angles settled there in the 5th century.

In the 7th century, King Edwin made York his main city. He built a wooden church there in 627, which was later rebuilt in stone. In 866, Vikings attacked and took over York. They renamed it Jorvik and it became an important trading place. Goods from far away places were traded there.

The last Viking ruler was driven out in AD 954.

After the conquest

In 1068, people in York rebelled but were stopped by William the Conqueror, who built wooden forts. York became an important religious and administrative place. In 1190, a sad event happened when many people were harmed in York Castle.

York grew as a trading city, and in 1212, it got special rights from the king. It traded with many places.

York was also known for making and trading cloth. Edward I helped the city's economy. There were some troubles in 1381.

16th to 18th centuries

York faced hard times during the Tudor period. Many religious buildings were closed under King Henry VIII. The city stayed important for trading and services. Kings visited York, and in 1603, Anne of Denmark came to the city.

In 1644, during a war, York was besieged but the siege was stopped.

After the monarchy was restored, York was led by local leaders and merchants. Competition from other cities changed York’s role, but it remained a cultural centre.

Modern history

In 1839, a railway came to York, helping it grow. The railway and chocolate factories became important industries. York was known for early photography.

In 1942, York was bombed during the Second World War, and some buildings were damaged. After the war, tourism grew, and many historic places became attractions. The University of York opened in 1963, bringing more people to the city.

York was named a top place to visit and live in different years.

Governance

The City of York is run by the City of York Council. This council is a unitary authority, meaning it has powers for both county and district services. It provides services such as libraries and waste collection. The council has 47 councillors who represent 21 areas of the city.

The council is led by a Council Leader, chosen by the largest political group. The current leader is from the Liberal Democrats. There is also a Lord Mayor, chosen each year for special duties. The Lord Mayor and Sheriff have important but mostly ceremonial roles.

York is the traditional county town of Yorkshire. It has had the title of Lord Mayor since 1370. The city has its own Sheriff and is part of the ceremonial county of North Yorkshire.

Geography

Further information: Areas of York

Location

York is in the Vale of York, a flat area with good farmland. It is surrounded by the Pennines, the North York Moors, and the Yorkshire Wolds. The city was built where the Rivers Ouse and Foss meet, on land left by the last ice age.

In Roman times, the land around these rivers was marshy, making it easy to protect. York can flood from the River Ouse and has special walls and barriers to help prevent flooding. Some areas around York are too wet for building and are used for farming or as open spaces.

Climate

York has a mild climate with four seasons. It is usually drier and warmer than other parts of Yorkshire and the Humber. Winters can be cold with frost, fog, and sometimes snow, but it usually melts quickly. Summers can be warm, sometimes reaching temperatures above 27 °C. The weather changes often, and York gets the most sunshine from May to July.

Green belt

York’s built-up areas are surrounded by a green belt. This helps protect the countryside and the historic feel of the city by stopping too much building in the surrounding villages and rural areas. The green belt covers nearly all of York and its nearby villages, stretching into North Yorkshire.

Demography

York has many homes and buildings, including rows of houses in Southbank and apartment blocks in Holgate. In 2011, the York urban area had 153,717 people, and the City of York had 198,051 people. By 2021, the population grew to about 202,800 people.

In 2001, there were 181,094 people living in York. Most people lived together as married couples, but many also lived alone. Most people in York said they had no religion, but many were Christian. York has many churches and a special church called York Minster. There are also small groups of people who follow other religions.

Main article: Religion in York

Economy

See also: List of companies based in York

York helps the UK’s money by providing many jobs and businesses. The city has good schools, easy travel, and strong areas like technology and tourism. Many people visit York each year to see places like York Minster.

In recent years, York has changed from making things to providing services like health, education, and technology. Tourism is very important, with millions of visitors each year.

Before, York had big factories, but now it focuses more on science, technology, and creative work. Even with hard times like the COVID-19 pandemic, York is working to bring back jobs and visitors.

Public services

York has important services that help the city stay safe and healthy. The city has its own police force, which is part of a larger group called North Yorkshire Police. There is also a fire service called North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service to help in emergencies.

The city’s main hospital, York Hospital, opened in 1976 and provides many types of healthcare. It has spaces for patients to stay and also offers services for people who visit for check-ups or treatments. The Yorkshire Ambulance Service helps transport people who need medical care quickly.

York also has a magistrates' court and a larger Crown Court for more serious legal matters. These buildings have a long history, with some designed by famous architects. Today, the old prison buildings are used as the Castle Museum, where people can learn about the city’s past.

Transport

Railway

York has been an important place for trains since 1839. York railway station is a big stop on the East Coast Main Line and is served by five different train companies.

Water

York is located on the river Ouse, which helped it become an important place for travel. The city grew up as a river port where the Ouse and the Foss rivers meet. Today, both rivers can still be used for boats, though the Foss is only good for a short distance. Until the late 1900s, boats carried goods on the Ouse between York and the port of Hull. Now, most boat travel is for fun.

Roads

York has many major roads because it was founded by the Romans. The city is where several important roads cross, including the A19 road, A59 road, A64 road, and A1079 road. The city has a ring road to help traffic move around it, and many streets in the old part of town are only for walking or have no cars at certain times. There are also park-and-ride bus services to help visitors get into the city centre.

Buses

Buses are the main way people get around York. First York runs most of the local bus services, including the park-and-ride buses. There are also tourist buses and services to nearby towns and cities operated by different companies.

Air

The nearest big airports are Leeds Bradford, Teesside, and Humberside. There are also smaller airports further away, like Manchester and Newcastle. York has a small airfield at the former RAF Elvington, which is home to the Yorkshire Air Museum and used for private planes.

Education

See also: List of schools in York

York has many places to learn and explore history. You can visit York Castle, which includes the York Castle Museum, along with other interesting spots like the Yorkshire Museum, Jorvik Viking Centre, and York Art Gallery. The National Railway Museum nearby shows famous trains.

The city has many schools. The University of York is on the southern edge of the city, and York St John University is in the centre. There are also colleges like York College and Askham Bryan College offering many different courses. The city has schools for younger students, including primary schools for ages 5 to 11 and secondary schools for ages 11 to 16. There are also special schools and private schools.

Culture

See also: Roses rivalry

York is known for its arts and culture. It is part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network as a city of Media Arts. The city has a long history in theatre. The Theatre Royal, started in 1744, puts on an annual pantomime that people enjoy from all over. Other theatres like the Grand Opera House and Joseph Rowntree Theatre also show many shows. The city has the Riding Lights Theatre Company, which works with young people and schools.

York is famous for its York Mystery Plays. These plays tell stories from history and are performed in public every few years. They began in medieval times and have been performed many times since.

Music is important in York. Groups like the Academy of St Olave's and the National Centre for Early Music give concerts in the city. Universities also have students and staff who perform music.

Each September, York holds a Festival of Food and Drink to celebrate local food and drink. There is also an annual event called the Assize of Ale where people dress in old costumes and visit pubs to raise money for charity. The city is also known for York ham, a special type of mild-flavoured ham.

Attractions

Architecture

See also: York sites of interest and Medieval parish churches of York

See also: Listed buildings in York (within the city walls, northern part)

York Minster, a large and beautiful Gothic cathedral, is a main attraction in the city.

York’s center is surrounded by the city's medieval walls, which are very popular for walking. These walls are some of the best-preserved in England. They have special gateways and include parts from Roman, Norman, and medieval times, as well as newer repairs.

The walls go around about 2.5 miles (4 km). One part of the city doesn’t have walls because a lake, called the King’s Fishpond, served as a defense. This lake was created by damming the River Foss. Central York has special narrow paths called Snickelways, many leading to old market places like Pavement and St Sampson's Square. The Shambles is a narrow medieval street with shops and cafés. Its name comes from an old word for a meat market, and you can still see old hooks and shelves outside some shops. The street also has a shrine for Margaret Clitherow. Goodramgate has many old houses, including Lady Row, built in the 1300s.

The southern entrance to York, Micklegate Bar, is a building from the 1100s to 1300s.

The Shambles is a medieval shopping street; most buildings are from around 1350 to 1475.

The Art Deco style Odeon Cinema is on Blossom Street.

The 1960s Brutalist-style Stonebow House is also there.

Pubs

In 2017, York had 107 pubs in the city center, some of which are very old. These include the Golden Fleece, Ye Olde Starre Inne, famous for its sign that has been there since 1733, and The Kings Arms.

Tea Rooms

In central York, in St Helen's Square, you can find the York branch of Bettys Café Tea Rooms. The founder, Frederick Belmont, was inspired by a grand ship called the Queen Mary in 1936. He used its designers to turn an old store into a lovely café. During war times, the café’s basement was a favorite spot for airmen, and a special mirror with their signatures is still displayed today.

Media

York has local newspapers and radio stations. One newspaper is called The Press. There are four local radio stations: BBC Radio York, YorkMix Radio, YO1 Radio, and Jorvik Radio. Local television news comes from BBC Yorkshire and BBC North East and Cumbria, as well as ITV Yorkshire and ITV Tyne Tees.

York St John University has a department for film and television. The University of York runs its own television station called York Student Television and two newspapers, Nouse and York Vision. The university's radio station, URY, is one of the oldest student radio stations in the UK.

Sport

Football

York City's football team plays in the National League. They sometimes beat bigger teams in cup games. One famous win was against Manchester United in 1995–96. Their home games are at York Community Stadium.

Rugby

Rugby has been played in York since the 1860s. York RUFC and other teams play at Clifton Park. There are also rugby league teams, with York RLFC's men's team playing in the Super League.

Field hockey

York has several field hockey clubs that compete in local leagues.

Racing

York Racecourse hosts many horse races each year. It has also hosted parts of big bike races like the Tour de France and the Tour de Yorkshire.

Other

York City Rowing Club is located under Lendal Bridge. There are also sailing clubs near York. The city hosts the UK Snooker Championship at the York Barbican.

Garrison

York Garrison is a base for the British army. It has important troops and headquarters that help keep the army organized and ready for their work.

International relations

Twin towns and sister cities

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in the United Kingdom

York has special friendships with cities around the world. It is linked with Dijon in France since 1953, Münster in Germany since 1957, and Nanjing in China since 2016. These friendships help the cities work together in areas like travel, learning, science, technology, and culture.

In 2014, York made a unique connection with Jórvík, the ancient Viking city that once stood where York now stands. In 2017, York became the United Kingdom’s first human rights city, promising to use human rights in all its decisions.

Freedom of the City

The following people and military units have received the Freedom of the City of York.

Individuals

• John Kendal: 1482.
• John Moore: 29 September 1687.
• Cosmo Gordon Lang: 1928.
• Mary, Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood: 1952.
• Edna Annie Crichton: 1955.
• Prince Andrew, Duke of York (later Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor): 23 February 1987. (revoked by a unanimous vote of the City of York Council).
• Sarah, Duchess of York (later Sarah Ferguson): 23 February 1987. (revoked by a unanimous vote of the City of York Council).
• Katharine, Duchess of Kent: April 1989.
• John Barry: 2002.
• Dame Judi Dench: 13 July 2002.
• Berwick Kaler: 2003.
• Professor Sir Ronald Cooke: 2006.
• Neal Guppy: 2010.

Military units

• The Royal Dragoon Guards: 24 April 1999.
• 2 Signals Regiment: January 2001.
• A Squadron The Queen's Own Yeomanry: 3 December 2009.
• RAF Linton on Ouse: 19 September 2010.
• The Queen's Gurkha Signals: 8 September 2015.

Notable people

Main article: List of people from York

York has been home to many famous people over time. Some of these people have done great work in areas like arts, science, and sports. The city still inspires and welcomes new people who want to achieve big things.