A Taste of Learning History with a Difference in York
From Bonfire Night in York to spooky Halloween performances at Whitby, we’ve loved visiting Yorkshire at this time of year…. But today we’ve grabbed the chance to wrap up warm and head into York’s historic city centre to discover more about the Industrial Revolution, Georgian History and to build on our learning in Porto about the Age of Discovery.
There’s lots to love about this time of year in Yorkshire, especially after spending a crisp winters day exploring Helmsley yesterday. But nothing beats the winter chill than finding a museum that actually encourages you to explore inside whilst enjoying steaming mugs of hot chocolate… just like the York’s Chocolate Story does!
Having visited York last year, we’d grabbed a quick visit to the York Chocolate Story & the Minster, but both girls were desperate to spend some more time understanding just how York’s chocolate story began. Having seen the impact of the Cadbury family in Birmingham, we’d discussed just how York had led the field in terms of workers rights.
Discover the story of Chocolate at the York chocolate story
We’ve been fortunate to see some of Europe’s best campsites over the past 2 years, and each have had something to remember them by. For instance, Tiroler Zugspitze’s Cable Car or Camping Krk Resort’s ‘infinity pool’ takes some beating…. not to mention Aufenfeld’s panoramic ‘natural alpine lake’ …. But for Playa Montroig, you have to look no further than the palm fringed water slides or perhaps the fantastically comfortable ‘astroturf’ sunbathing area that wraps itself around the vast array of pools.
Journeying back over 3,000 years to Central America, you can find out more about the origins of chocolate before delving into York’s great confectionary families (Terry, Rowntrees & Tukes) It’s just so true that Chocolate is to York what mustard is to Norwich or marmalade to Oxford. You can even download a Chocolate Landmark Trail (covers York city centre) before you visit….
Once you’ve grasped York’s impact on the English Industrial Revolution due to it’s burgeoning confectionary industry and it’s prominent railway. You’ll also unwrap the secrets behind York’s most famous brands (who’d have known there was a fish flavoured KitKat), learn how to taste chocolate (like our wine tasting in France) or see a real life chocolatier in action.
Download free factsheets about the history of chocolate and its journey from bean to bar and make a no-cook chocolate tiffin.
LifeinourVan Top TipYork’s Chocolate Story is in the heart of the city centre in King’s Square and costs £29.50 (family of 4). Special offers are available online or just use your York Pass.
LifeinourVan Top TipA Georgian gem – Fairfax house
Having added plenty more to our history road schooling, we now turned our attentions to how the rich lived in the Georgian period on a visit to an amazing hidden gem at Fairfax House near Clifford Tower.
York is undoubtedly one of England’s finest and most beautiful historic cities. The Romans knew it as Eboracum (find out more here) whilst the Vikings called it Jorvik (find out more here) but it’s equally famous for it’s fine Victorian Railway station and it’s imperious Georgian Townhouses like Fairfax House.
In fairness, you probably only need to leave 2-3hrs for this visit, but it’s the perfect place to try and understand more about Georgian society and how rich families would have lived in these winter houses in York (before returning in the summer to their country estates)
Sadly photography isn’t allowed in the main house, but you’ll have to take our word for it……. it’s been impeccably restored (much like Barley Hall near Stonegate) and houses a truly brilliant award winning treasure trail which our girls absolutely loved.
Before you visit, it’s well worth checking out the child friendly free factsheets on their website. It’s a veritable history lesson in itself and is added to by their brilliant ‘room hosts’
LifeinourVan Top TipFairfax House is in the heart of the city centre near CastleGate and costs £17.50 (family of 4). Special offers are available or just use your York Pass.
LifeinourVan Top TipOne of the finest Medieval buildings across Europe
With daylight running out as the nights close in, we left the area around Clifford Tower and Fairfax House and headed back towards the centre of York and one of the finest medieval guildhalls in England at the Merchant Adventures Hall.
Having loved visiting and learning about a similar guildhall in Exeter (Tuckers Hall) both girls couldn’t wait to explore the stunning medieval building… reputably one of the finest remaining examples across Europe.
Having previously enjoyed York’s impressive ‘Henry VII’ & ‘Richard III’ Experiences, it’s a step back in history to an interesting period of discovery… much like we found at the Age of Discoveries in Porto, Portugal (arguably the birthplace of the very first merchant adventurers.
It often seems that York’s modern life is inextricably linked to it’s past…. a point made even clearer by the snaking roman walls that encircle the historic centre. But it’s clear to see just how much medieval endeavour must have gone into the timber framed hall (built in 1357) and both girls loved seeing examples of just how impressive it must have looked back then (see here)
Before you visit, it’s well worth checking out what might be available. There are educational workshopson Trade and Exploration,Tudor Medicine & Dance workshops
LifeinourVan Top TipMerchant Adventurers Hall is in the heart of the city centre near CastleGate and costs £12 (family of 4). Special offers are available or just use your York Pass.
Still home to the modern day Merchant Adventurers, it houses a 660 year unbroken tradition of entrepreneurship, wealth and experience that has built York: from the 14th century (via railways and chocolate) to it’s prominent role nowadays.
Yet again, York has proved itself to be a History Lovers Paradise and one that has yet again provided us with another fantastic ‘road schooling’ lesson on Georgian History that both girls loved from start to finish.
york chocolate story
fairfax house
merchant adventurers hall york
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