Lauren Tabbron shares her favourite things to do in Manchester
Jess Astbury regales tales of festivities in warmer climates.
If you're coming to York for the first time, I expect you may be apprehensive (especially if you're coming from a big city), or at least be googl-ing our quaint city. This Getaway sums up a few of the hotspots to hit in little old York, although these suggestions are by no means exhaustive of everything you can get up to!
Well, you don’t really have a choice with this one, but the Autumn term is perfect for those wintry strolls along the riverbank. And when winter really gets going there’s the added bonus of snow fights!
Climb Clifford’s Tower
York is most famous for being an old city, complete with most of its historic landmarks sill here today. Of course, there’s a student way to explore these sites, and Clifford’s Tower can be a fun climb. You may have heard people say that students climb all sorts of things at night (which they do) and I would thoroughly suggest this one! Admittedly it’s steep trek but worth it for the great view and sitting under a starry sky – it’s the perfect romantic spot. However, there is the minor issue of the “keep off the grass” notices but I chose to overlook that technicality – just don’t get caught!
Visit the Minster
The Minster is one of York’s most famous attractions and one of the best-known cathedrals across the country. Personally, I haven’t been (shame on me!) but it’s definitely on my to-do list. The Minster hold regular services, have free guided tours and events and exhibitions on for those who want to find out more. York students get in for free with their Uni cards. Even if you’re just passing it through town, it’s a beautiful landmark worth a visit. www.yorkminster.org don’t forget: there are also the Minster gardens, a nice park to chill out in!
York Art Gallery is also worth a visit if you're into your art, and for the English Lit students out there, the department usually organises guided tours of the gallery for those who pick the Victorian module in Term 2.
Bella Italia
A favourite of mine is Bella Italia on Monday nights. It is located on Goodramgate, not too far from Parliament Square. With your university card any main meal is half price on a Monday, making eating out really cheap! It’s a good place for socials and birthday meals, and they do amazing desserts (try the Godfather!).
Betty's
The world-famous (or at least Yorkshire-famous) Betty's Tea Rooms! Any place that has a queue stretching outside the building has got to be good! Though it’s not too friendly on the purse strings, quality comes at a price and it’s always nice to treat yourself. Plus, you won’t find a Betty's outside of Yorkshire so try it while you can. The big Betty's can be found in the centre of York (St. Helens Square) and Little Betty's is on Stonegate.
Rustique
Another gem of a restaurant that only found in York is Rustique. I’ve only been there once but fell in love with the food. Located at 28 Castlegate, Rustique aims to replicate a high class French dining experience. Screw that – as long as it’s reasonably affordable (check) and tasty (definitely check), then it’s good enough for us! From a set menu, a two course meal comes to just £9.95 and a three course meal is £11.95 and I would recommend the duck.
The Charles XII Pub
Good old pub grub! For those lucky enough to live in Halifax the Charles is a five-minute walk, located in Heslington. For everyone else, Heslington isn’t really that far. The Charles is a popular student hangout for good, affordable meals and drinks. When the weather is good they even have barbecues in their outdoor patio.
It’s safe to say when I realised there were a total of three main clubs in York, and that I could walk across the town centre in 25mins, I was panicking just a little bit.
When I first came to York bright-eyed and bushy tailed, I innocently asked my STYC “where are the best clubs?”. Coming from London, a city that never sleeps, I’m used to people reeling off a list of the best places to get my groove on. It’s safe to say when I realised there were a total of three main clubs in York, and that I could walk across the town centre in 25mins, I was panicking just a little bit. However, the York nightlife was definitely not dull. Aside from the clubs there are loads of nice bars to go to for pre-night out drinks, including Vodka Revolutions, Evil Eye, Montey's and Dusk, which are a few of my favourites. Montey's and Dusk also do two for one cocktails, so it’s reasonably priced!
Ziggy's
The notorious Ziggy's, (a strip club on some nights), transforms into a popular student club night on Wednesday nights. With free entry for students, it’s basically three floors of sweat dancing to cheesy music, with students dressed in ridiculous fancy dress. A good laugh when you’re drunk!
Gallery
This one actually looks more like a club instead of a renovated Georgian house (Ziggys). It plays commercial chart, indie, dace and hip hop and r’n’b (on Sundays in the basement), and has two floors. It’s slightly more expensive but you can get in for about a fiver. Thursdays are the student nights, and it can get really busy!
Tru (formerly named Toffs)
Another good night out on Tuesdays (the student night) is Tru. It’s got two rooms, one with chart anthems, cheese and dance music, the other with hip hop and r’n’b. Entry is about £3.50.
You're gonna love it! Welcome to York and the best three (or four) years of your life!
you'll probably hate york, but also worth a mention are Fibbers and The Duchess which both have late licences and do some of the most popular clubnights in town if you're into indie/electro. both also do quality touring live bands, as does the city screen basement bar.
Far better than Bella Italia is Ate O'Clock. The menu is diverse and interesting as well as being very well priced, and the people who run it are delightful. The thai fish cakes with lime mayo are particularly recommended. It's a brilliant one off place that uses local produce, so give the chain restaurants a miss.
If you just want to grab a snack, go to the Nought-E food company. It's opposite McDonald's, but the choice is clear. If you want lunch that doesn't involve panini, go here instead and try their amazing quesadillas.
Also, somebody needs to tell the freshers about The Willow...
Could not agree more about Ate O'clock - best food in York. Try the early bird or lunchtime menu, same food pretty much, just cheaper
If you want chain-restaurant Italian food then Strada is far superior in standard to Bella Italia, located just a few doors away -- in fact even the various Pizza Express restaurants in York beat Bella Italia hands down. City Screen's cafe is also lovely: as well as having a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere, the food is delicious (with 10% off if you become a member - well worth it if you go to the cinema a lot), and the outdoor decking by the river is gorgeous in the summer. Cafe No. 8 on Gillygate is also worth a mention, although slightly more pricey than all of the above and quite small, so be advised to make a reservation. If you're vegetarian, vegan or enjoy a gluten free diet then El Piano is a great choice; really friendly and quirky. Best thing to do is scan the web for 2 for 1 deals at Strada, Pizza Express etc.
I can't believe you didn't mention The Duchess! The best Friday (indie) and Saturday (popaganda) nights in York!
and don't forget the re-surging popularity of the willow, after all they have free prawn crackers
"If you want lunch that doesn't involve panini"
Miranda, how could you?
Stay away from Charles! Well, it's not a personal favourite - in my experience my food always comes charcoaled and getting served whacks off a bit of time.
Totally agree with the above comment about the Charles!
I got food poisoning there in my first week of uni - it was awful being away from home for the first time and being SO ill! And the service at the Charles is terrible. I was dragged there again on a few other occasions and once waited 3 hours for food! Unfortunately you pay when you order the food, otherwise we would have walked out. We complained about the wait, but they didn't offer anything to make up for it - we didn't even get an apology!
Try the Deramore up the road - the food's a bit more expensive, but it's WELL worth it! The portions are massive and the food's great! And the service is fantastic!
If you're at the Deramore and love huuuuge portions (and meat) then try the big grill thing they have. Basically every sort of meat you can imagine, with lots of greasy fried things on the side and a free bottle of wine. Reasonably cheap if I remember correctly, or at least excellent value for money... Definitely something to share rather than attempt on your own.
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