Neighbourhood know-how, places and people
Location, location
This jewel in the Yorkshire crown is easy to reach, just two hours from London and 1 hr 20 from Manchester by rail with a centrally located train station. Close to the M1 and M62, so road links are excellent, too.
Watch the city centre parking charges when you get here and opt for the Park and Ride instead.
Bag a property
You name it and you can get it in York: everything from smart city centre apartments to big Georgian properties and Victorian terraces. Further out there are striking German-looking eco-friendly properties at Derwenthorpe in Osbaldwick and the apartments and penthouses at The Chocolate Works on Bishopthorpe Road.
Whenever the Sunday supps write a travel guide about York, they always single out Fulford as the place to be. There's a reason for that, because the area is lush and rather villagey, and the school is one of the best-performing in the north of England.
Explore
On a sunny day, is there anything better than ambling on the path by the Ouse? I'll answer that: no, especially if you stop at Two Hoots ice-cream boat en route.
Start off in the city centre and take the steps down by the Ouse Bridge, walking past the Kings Arms pub. Head towards, then cross, Millennium Bridge, and stroll through Rowntree Park on your way back to the city centre. You could do the touristy thing and walk the city walls. It's free, and they're open from around 8am to dusk.
Cafe & cocktails
The latest big foodie hit in York appears to be Roots on Marygate, from the people who gave you the Black Swan at Oldstead. Grace Dent, the food critic from The Guardian raved about it.
Artisan bakery Mannion & Co do fabulous bacon and/or sausage sandwiches; while long, narrow and jazzy Cafe Concerto is still the one to beat for coffee and atmosphere. You can get excellent street food at Spark: York and also at Shambles Food Court at the back of the marketplace. For curries, one of the best I've tasted in the city is a first floor Gurkha restaurant on Goodramgate called, rather fetchingly, the Yak and Yeti. Le Cochon Aveugle is worth seeking out because the food is spectacular. Meanwhile, back in the buzzing village vibe of 'Bishy Road', try the Pig and Pastry for amazing breakfasts.
Retail therapy
Rummage around some terrific independent shops on Gillygate (Snowhome, Love Cheese), Low Petergate, Back Swinegate and Grape Lane (Priestleys Vintage clothes).
If you're after bigger, splashier designer names (Bose, Boss, Ben Sherman, Michael Kors, et al), the McArthur Glenn Designer Outlet at the A19/A64 interchange is a bit of a must. And a way out of the centre on Hull Road/Grimston Bar is expert wine emporium and deli, Field and Fawcett. It's well worth the trip.
