York Festivities

Picture this- cobbled streets, Christmas huts, twinkling lights, carol singers. Are you feeling festive yet? If not you need to take a trip up to the grand old city of York, that'll soon change your mood. Last weekend saw the 'in-laws' come up for a visit which meant a packed flat and sleeping on an airbed for two nights, but I had my teddy bear sheet so that was okay. We managed to squeeze so much in that it was no surprise I was tucked up in bed at 8pm on Sunday night feeling very tired but very happy. This time of year there is so much to do in York that realistically you need a whole week to soak it all up, but you can do it all in one weekend if you try. Due to having the grand-parents here too we didn't quite get to do everything Christmassy York has to offer, but I've done it the past two years so that makes up for it. 

1. Christmas markets
Obviously this would be on the to-do list of what-to-do-at-Christmas-in-York. There's so many parts to this year's one it will probably take you a day to get round them all, but prepare for crowds of people who like to suddenly stop in the middle of the path or who walk at 2mph. 

2. Thor's Tipi
This is new to York this year but it is the perfect place to sit around an open fire with a glass, {plastic cup} of mulled wine and a bratwurst sausage. Beware it does get very busy and you may not get a spot round the fire, unless your inner lioness is ready to pounce at any moment.

3. Winter Wonderland
Set a bus ride/ car drive outside of York at the designer outlet is a miniature Winter Wonderland. It has some classic fairground rides, Santa's Grotto and a Christmas tree centered ice-rink. It's all good fun, so long as you don't fall over!

4. Helmsley
This gem of a town is a place we discovered a month ago and was the perfect destination to take the family too. Recently winning 'Best high street of 2015', the town has a wide variety of independent shops that fill your time. If you go at the right time of year you'll get the added addition of their annual Christmas tree festival in the church. This year the theme was 'panto' and there were some super entires. 

5. York Minster Carol Concert
This is a must. It sells out every year and after attending on Saturday night I can see why. The band was incredible, the choir was incredible, the atmosphere was incredible. The carols were the best way to get in the festive mood and my experience was made even better when meeting one of the readers, Mariam Margoyles, aka. Professor Sprout from Harry Potter. {Yes, I may have just stood there in silence when she was trying to talk to me, I don't cope well with fan-girling}

This weekend there is an ice-sculpture trail around the city so we're heading out tomorrow to wander round followed by an early Christmas in the flat before heading home for Christmas! Have a lovely weekend.