It’s not a secret that the people are already nicer up north, but now the city of York has been declared the most friendly place to live in the UK.
Thanks to its lovely locals, the ancient North Yorkshire town ranked first on a list of friendliest places to live in the UK.
'Residents make an extra effort to be friendly and greet strangers with warmth and smiles, whether in shops or on the street,' Restless.co.uk said about York, which was also named one of the ‘most welcoming’ cities in the world by Booking.com in 2023.
This friendliness isn’t just for locals, though: York is a beautiful place for visitors to enjoy a day trip or even a holiday.
The city is home to students from over 150 countries thanks to the University of York and York St John – and it’s no wonder why when the locals are so accommodating.
An energetic, busy city, York has modern shops and restaurants but is also steeped in history. Some of the oldest buildings in the city date back to the seventh century.
For a unique experience, you can climb the remaining parts of the city walls that have enclosed the city for over 700 years.
The famous Shambles is one of the oldest streets in England and is believed to have been the inspiration for Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter series.
While none of the shops have their original fronts, they have been lovingly restored and you can find anything from chocolate to Viking souvenirs and even a year-round Christmas shop.
You can also visit the unusual Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate, one of the shortest ‘streets’ with the longest name at just 24 metres.
Its origin is much debated but is believed to have come from either a Middle Ages phrase meaning ‘neither one thing nor another’ or, perhaps more fun, ‘what a street!’
Even older than the Shambles is York Minister. The cathedral dates back to the 7th century and doubled as a more historically accurate representation of Westminister Abbey in films such as Elizabeth (1998) and Bill (2015).
The city is also home to the Jorvik Viking Centre where you can travel back in time to a Viking street and see real-life Viking objects found in the city.
But it’s not all history. York is home to over 350 pubs and bars and has a rich history of chocolate-making if you have a sweet tooth.
The original Rowntree’s factory was founded here, and the historic streets are full of delightful sweet shops. And no trip to York would be complete without a visit to a delectable tea room, especially the world-renowned Betty’s.
See you t’up north!
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