York, a city of extraordinary cultural and historical wealth, its medieval spider's web of narrow streets is enclosed by a magnificent circuit of 13th-century walls. At its heart lies the immense, awe-inspiring minster, one of the most beautiful Gothic cathedrals in the world. The city's long history and rich heritage is woven into virtually every brick and beam; modern,tourist-oriented York - with its myriad museums, restaurants, cafés and traditional pubs - is a carefully maintained heir to that heritage.

The city lies at the intersection of the A19 road from Doncaster to Tyneside, the A59 road from Liverpool to York, the A64 roadfrom Leeds to Scarborough, and the A1079 road from York to Hull. York railway station is a principal stop on the East Coast Main Line from London to Newcastle and Edinburgh. It takes less than two hours to get to York from London by rail, with at least 25 direct trains each weekday.