Archidiocese of York

Today was a more relaxing day which was greatly needed. We did a short tour of York Minster, the largest Gothic church north of the Alps. This cathedral took several centuries to build and was finished in 1472. The number of stained glass windows is amazing and some are from the 12 century. I think it’s the Church of England…Anglican, but it has Catholic heritage.

Wendy, Rebecca and I had a late morning tea at The Earl Grey Tearoom and shared a Victoria sponge cake.

The afternoon and evening were free time. We wandered the many cobblestone streets in the walled medieval town and had a wonderful lunch at the world famous Betty’s Tearoom. York has been famous for its chocolates and sweets since the late 1800s, and I had to buy a little box at the famous Monk’s Bar.

We enjoyed an evensong service at the cathedral this evening. Evensong is a church service traditionally held near sunset and is focused on singing psalms and other biblical canticles. The choir was a group of young children, and they were excellent…sounded like the Vienna Boys Choir.

Wendy, Rebecca, and I finished off our visit in York with a dinner at The Hole in the Wall, a York pub.

Pictures are of the York Abbey Ruins destroyed on Henry VIII orders with the Reformation, Minster York, and street scenes from inside the medieval walled city of York. Oh, and last… a small chat with the Queen! Notice the types of sandwiches they have everywhere in England…not my choice!Read more