Ventures and Adventures of a Vermonter Abroad: A Haunting in York

Back from my spooky trip to the most haunted city in the UK.

I met up with my friend Liz from SMC (my uni back at home). She's been studying at St. Andrew's in Scotland for the entire year. We decided to meet up in a city that neither of us had been to, so we picked York. Little did we know what was in store...

Our hostel

The hostel was a renovated 1752 Georgian-era townhouse. It was gorgeous. Our room was down in the basement, in the servants' quarters. Very Downton Abbey. When Liz was out of the room, I was watching some TV. Out of the corner of my eye, I see this humanoid shape (like seeing a person through a thick fog) go through our door and walk through the wall. Initially, I didn't really understand what was going on, but upon reflection I realised that I'd seen a ghost. Yikes!

Liz and I explored the city, no specific destination in mind. We wandered into clothing shops and marveled over the fashions of the UK.

I had a proper Steak and Ale Pie for lunch

We had dinner at an Italian Restaurant. It was awesome. I had Gnocchi for the first time in ages. I had chocolate cake for dessert. So decadent!

The next day, we had breakfast in town at Bagel Nash (We slept through the hostel's breakfast). After, we went to the York Castle Museum.

Daily life through the years exhibit

They even had a Chinese exhibit!

They have a street-size recreation of Victorian York shops. It oscillated between day and night. It was such a treat to walk through.

Pseudo-Victorian Alleyway

Is it weird that the undertaker's shop was the most brightly lit?

The other half of the museum had some more recent history...

I feel like I'm looking at the Iron Throne

WWII-era uniforms

There was even a 1960's exhibit!

The original Doctor Who!

Restraints from York Prison. Some were alleged to have been used on notorious highwayman Dick Turpin.

After the museum, I went to Clifford's Tower.

Memorial plaque marking when 150 Jews were killed in a pogrom in 1190 after seeking safety in the tower.

York Minster

We met up with one of Liz's friends from St. Andrew's (Zoe) as well as a friend of the friend (Abby). We hung out in a coffee shop and talked about York (since the two friends are from there). They were very interested in our ghost story! We even asked the guy sweeping the floor of the coffee place if he'd had any ghost experiences. He said that he used to work in a pub that was apparently haunted by a ghost cat. Spooky! We continued our adventures. Abby had to leave early, but the rest of us continued to explore. I tried proper British fudge (not chocolate-flavoured!). I also continued in my quest to find a milkshake like the ones at home (the ones I've experienced so far have been just milk that shakes! Nothing quite as thick and brain-freeze-inducing as ones in the States!).

Candid shot of Liz, haha.

Unfortunately, we didn't go into York Minster. It was crazy expensive, even with a student discount. You also had to go with a tour group, no wondering around by yourself.

We finished up a solid day with a trip to Nando's! Neither Liz not Zoe had been there before, so I got to show them the ropes.

Mango-Lime chicken pitta with garlic bread

Liz (L) and Zoe (R)

We walked Zoe to where she parked her moped. She let us each take it for a spin in the parking lot!! It was so cool. I'd never done anything like that before. What an awesome experience!

Liz and I left the next morning, bright and early from the York train station.