I recently took the train across the border to visit the beautiful city of York, in the North of England, a city which encompasses many historic eras – Roman, Viking, Medieval – but like my own Edinburgh is small enough to make it very walkable, a boon to exploring. I took a lot of photos (as usual), so this is just a first batch taken wandering around York on a gorgeous autumn day.

This is the King’s Manor, which started off in the 12th century as an abode for an abbot, but which was substantially remodelled in the 15th century. After the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539 it became the headquarters of the Council of the North, with royal visitors including James the VI and I, and Charles I. Since the 1960s it has been a part of the University of York. My meanderings brought me back here in the evening, so I nabbed a night shot using Mr Bendylegs, the wee mini-tripod (not as great as the big tripod, but much easier to carry on a trip).

Unlike many historic cities, York has not only managed to retain a substantial amount of its medieval city walls (some built on Roman foundations), but a large part of them are still walkable – you access them by going up and down steep, stone steps in the old, fortified gates which punctuate the walls as you go around the heart of the city.

Same gatehouse, as dusk was falling, with the twin bell towers of the magnificent York Minister visible, catching the last of the day’s light:

And the gatehouse once more, this time after night had fallen on this ancient place:

A view along the River Ouse as it cuts through the city:

Strolling the narrow streets – as you can see, the old walls and gatehouses are just part of the fabric even of the modern city, people passing through them regularly.

People taking photos of the city:

York Minster rising above the narrow streets and old buildings of York’s historic heart:

Korean busker entertaining crowds in a small square in the historic heart of the old town

A statue of Minerva with a pile of books juts out from this old building near the Minster. Goddess of wisdom, she signifies the importance of a nearby publisher and bookseller from 1801: