Historic Sites in Howden Dyke Road

"Family friendly York Castle Museum is centrally situated near Coppergate Shopping Centre – green signs direct you to the ‘Castle Area’. Collections of Costume and Textiles, Military and Social History and a collection on York Castle’s most famous prisoner Dick Turpin, eventually hanged in 1739, all feature in exhibitions. A favourite with children, the recreated Victorian and Georgian rooms here display historic every day items from the collection of North Yorkshire country doctor John Kirk."

"With breathtaking views of York, Clifford’s tower is an important stop off for anyone new to the city. Originally part of York Castle, the tower was built by William the Conqueror and has been used as both a prison and a royal mint."

"As the name implies, York’s Merchant Adventurers were merchants. They traded along the English coast, northern Europe and sometimes as far as the Baltic and Iceland, bringing back an assortment of desired goods to York. The city was an important river port and the wealthiest city in Northern England, second only to London for most of the Middle Ages, allowing the merchants to make enough money to build the Hall between 1357 and 1361."

"This guildhall in the city of York was one of the most important buildings in the medieval city. The majority of the Hall was built in 1357 by a group of influential men and women who came together to form a religious fraternity called the Guild of Our Lord Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary. The main part of the building consists of the Great Hall, the Undercroft and the Chapel."

"Another excellent photography spot and Instagrammable place in York is the Merchant’s Hall. The Merchant’s Hall has one of the most impressive guildhalls in the world, and sometimes you can get it empty – it’s incredible for photos."

"Just a short drive from the city center you can find the York Cold War Bunker which is unlike any of the other historic attractions in the area. Wonderfully well-preserved, it dates to 1961 and is the only Royal Observer Corps bunker of its kind that you can take tours around. Once one of around thirty such sites in the UK, it was in this semi-subterranean two-storey bunker that members of the Corps and a scientific warning team would have sheltered in the event of a nuclear war."

"Like a moment frozen in time, York’s Cold War bunker takes visitors back to an era where the threat of nuclear explosions prompted the construction of this space. The partially-underground bunker is a glimpse into the recent history of the British Cold War, built in 1961 to monitor fallout. It was decommissioned in the 1990s, but remains a reminder of what it is like to live under the threat of nuclear war."

"King’s Manor is a stately house in York city centre that has played host to some of British history’s most important visitors. In the days before the Reformation, it was the home of the Abbot of St Mary’s, before becoming the headquarters of the Council of the North in Henry VIII’s time. The Tudor king himself stayed there, giving rise to its current name."

"Located between Leeds and Wetherby, Bramham Park is the site of the iconic Leeds Festival which occurs every August bank holiday weekend. If you don’t hold tickets to the festival, visit during the rest of the year to explore the 18th Century manor house and its sprawling grounds."

"Originally built as a public space for the working classes to relax, Pearson Park has now become one of the locals’ most favourite green areas. READ THIS:Sofia sightseeing: local's guide to Sofia. Pearson Park is a great place for picnicking, letting your children go wild at the colourful playground, watching ducks swimming in the lake, as well as checking out the plants at the lovely greenhouse."

"The Georgian-style Mansion House in York is the home of the city's Lord Mayors during their term in office. This is the earliest purpose-built house of this sort still in use – it predates the Mansion House in London by at least 20 years. The foundation stone for the building was laid in 1725, and it was completed seven years later, in 1732."

"Located in the center of the city, the Mansion House is the official residence of the Lord Mayor of York. But along with being a home, this historic house is popular with visitors. The Mansion House exhibits an impressive collection of paintings, silver and furniture."

"The Yak & Yeti Gurkha Restaurant brings the many tastes and flavours of Nepal to York’s ancient streets. A family run eatery just around the corner from the Minster, you can tuck into plates of Malekha Ko Machha (spicy salmon curry) or Nepali Tarkari (slow-cooked, spicy veg) for less than a tenner. If it’s just turned payday and you’ve got a little extra dollar to drop, we recommend ordering one of the set meals for £14, with enough food for two."

"I’ll be honest, the portions look really small when they come out so I was a little concerned but they pack a punch. I had a lamb dish, whilst others had chicken or salmon and we all said how much more of the main ingredient there was in the dish than you often get. Perfectly spiced, great tastes and good service I would definitely recommend a trip here."

"The first Nepalese restaurant in the city, The Yak & Yeti Gurkha Restaurant promises a memorable dining experience. This unique location serves high-quality food prepared with only the best ingredients picked fresh from the farm. The food here is expertly made, the atmosphere is friendly and warm, and the staff is super helpful and efficient."

"The Raj is an authentic Indian restaurant proudly owned and run by an Indian national, so you are guaranteed the best of the cuisine. The Raj takes on a contemporary style of Indian cuisine without disregarding the rich flavors behind it. The place is considered a hidden gem in York, and those who have discovered it leave impressed."