York at a glance
For nearly 2000 years York has been the North's capital. The city's position, at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss was central to York’s development and position in the British history. The city was founded in AD 71, and has a rich Roman, Saxon and Viking history. York is the traditional county town of Yorkshire, to which it lends its name. York is a great city with a spectacular Gothic cathedral, medieval city wall, and a network of intriguing, historic streets full of interesting shops and a colourful variety of restaurants, bars and cafés.
Fast Facts
Population: 181,000
Ethnicity: 97.8% White
Area: 272sq Km/105sq miles
Languages: English
Currency: Pound sterling (£)
County: North Yorkshire
Region: Yorkshire and Humbershire
Weights Measures System: Metric
Location
York lies right in the centre of the United Kingdom, equidistant from London and Edinburgh, and handily positioned on the main east-coast rail-line. It is an ideal for a day trip destination, except that you will really need to stay for a few days to really discover this fascinating city.
Weather Overview
Summer temperatures in York can get up to 32°C (90°F) during the day, although nights drop down to 15°C (60°F). During winter, York's climate averages 5°C (42°F), dropping down to -6°C (20°F) overnight. Snow sometimes falls in December and it may snow occasionally until March.
Weather Today
Events/ Festivals
January: York Chinese New Year
(21-29 January)
February: Jorvik Viking Festival (16-26 February)
March: Constantine the Great (31March-29October)
May- October: York Horse
Racing
May: York Music Live incorporating
International Jazz Festival (26-29 May)
June: York
Late Music Festival (2-11 June)
Dance Week (17-24 June)
July: York Early Music Festival (6-15 July)
York
Mystery Plays (9-16 July)
York Roman Festival (21-30 July)
August: Yorkshire Air Show (York)
September: York Festival of Food & Drink (22
September –1October)
National Book Fair (22-23 September)
October: SightSonic- York’s International Festival of
Digital Arts (13-16 October)
Illuminating York (29 October)
York Ghost Festival (29-31 October)
November: St Nicholas Fayre (24-27 November)
December: York Early
Music Christmas Festival (8-11 December)
Festival
of Angels (10-11December)