On Saturday a small group of us went to the coastal town of Scarborough. On this freezing cold day, we wrapped up warm and braved the temperatures to see this historical town. We arrived by train and walked through the modern, commercial part of the city to arrive at the spectacular coastline.
We went down a steep hill to get to the Victorian style seafront. This consists of brightly lit amusement arcades, where people play on the betting machines and there are many shops selling a range of traditional sweets - candy floss, sticks of rock, fudge and nougat. Even in the freezing cold there were children having donkey rides on the beach! The smell of fish and chips permeated the air. We climbed up the hill again to get to the 12th century castle. The castle has seen many battles, including Scottish Robert the Bruce and the Germans in World War I.
We walked to the most outward point of the cliff, where the wind was so icy cold we couldn't feel our faces anymore! Quickly, we took some photographs and retreated back inland! To warm up, we went for lunch in a lovely old restaurant, and of course we ate fish and chips! As we were eating we saw the snow start to fall outside the window. As we took one more look at the seafront before heading back to York, we saw the spectacular sight of snow falling on the beach and the hardy people of Yorkshire still out walking their dogs!
24 Jan 2012
Yesterday a small group of us went to see the new Steven Spielberg film, ‘War Horse’, at City Screen Cinema. ‘War Horse’ was originally a famous book which was then made into a theatre production. It is the story of a boy who raises a horse which is taken away to fight in the First World War. The boy is very sad and promises to find the horse again. The film follows the life of the horse as different people take charge of him.
We had great expectations of the film, tissues at the ready expecting to cry. Unfortunately, the film was rather disappointing. The actors were annoying with their fake Devonshire accents and the lighting cast a falseness on the natural beauty of the landscape. AND we didn’t cry!
However, after the film some of us went for a coffee in the Pitcher and Piano bar, overlooking the river – and that was thoroughly enjoyable!
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Takehito Watanabe, Japan
How to Get to York
York is very easy to get to from anywhere in the UK. The following information should help as a general guide for you to get here.
By Rail
Historically, York has fantastic ties to the railway system, and train services to York are incredibly good. York is on the East Coast main line. It takes less than two hours to get to York from London. Trains go every half an hour with at least 25 direct trains each weekday.
Direct rail services also run to York from many of the UK's main regional centres. York can be easily reached in just one morning’s time from all the following centres: Edinburgh, Glasgow, Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham and Liverpool.
There is a direct rail-link to and from Manchester International Airport and trains go every hour during the day. You can find information on train times and prices online on the following websites:
- www.nationalrail.co.uk - for the rail timetable and national news
- www.thetrainline.com - for train times and online booking
This information is also available by telephone from within the UK on 08457 48 49 50.
By Car
From London
Leave London on the M1 (well sign-posted in all areas)
At M1 Junction 32 bear right onto the M18
At M18 Junction 2 bear left onto the A1
Continue for approximately 30 miles, then turn right onto the A64
Follow signs for York.
Approximate Distance: 208 Miles
Approximate Journey Time: 3.5 Hours
From Birmingham
Leave Birmingham on the M6 (well sign-posted in all areas)
At M6 Junction 4A bear left onto the M42
Follow signs for the M1 and join it at Junction 23A
At M1 Junction 32 turn right onto the M18
At M18 Junction 2 turn left on the A1(M)
Continue for approximately 25 miles, then turn right onto the A64
Follow signs for York
Approximate Distance: 132 Miles
Approximate Journey Time: 2 Hours
From Manchester
Leave Manchester on the M62 (well sign-posted in all areas)
At M62 Junction 27 join the M621
After about 5 miles turn left onto the A653, then right onto the A61
After about 1 mile turn right onto the A58M, then immediately left onto the A64
Follow signs for York
Approximate Distance: 65 Miles
Approximate Journey Time: 1 Hour 10 Minutes
From Edinburgh
Leave Edinburgh on the A7 (well sign-posted in all areas)
After about 5 miles join the A68
Follow signs for the A1 then join this road
Continue for approximately 85 miles, then turn left onto the A59
Follow signs for York
Approximate Distance: 192.2 Miles
Approximate Journey Time: 4 Hours
By Coach
National Express Ltd run regular services between all major centres in the UK. For current details and ticket pricing phone them on 08705 808080 from within the UK, or on +44 (0)121 625 1122 from outside the UK.
