York began life as a Roman legionary fortress and became the capital of Britannia Inferior. Later it was Angle Eoforwic and Viking Yorvik before becoming the second city of England for most of the Middle Ages. We can see the Roman and medieval remains in the Yorkshire Museum. Nearby St Olav’s Church and the remains of St Mary’s Abbey and St Leonard’s hospital in the Museum Gardens and the massive York Minster can give us insights into York’s rich religious and social history. The lovely Merchant Adventurer’s Hall highlights York’s past as a great commercial port city. Clifford’s Tower and the surviving sections of the city walls afford great views and attest to tragic episodes in York’s past. The Jorvik Centre is a fun way to see Viking remains and a reconstruction of Jorvik Coppergate. The Castle Museum too has an extensive reconstruction of Victorian York streets and shops as well as an excellent overview of the social and economic history of the city from the seventeenth century. Holy Trinity Church Goodramgate and the lovely Fairfax House are essential viewing for those with a love of the Georgian Period. Optional extras include the reconstructed Tudor townhouse at Barley Hall and the small Richard III Museum in Monkgate Bar. Railway enthusiasts should go on to visit the National Railway Museum. It is not a part of my tour.