48 hours in York

Stay

With time tight, you really want to base yourself either within the city walls or just outside. The Grange (grangehotel.co.uk) is just a five-minute walk from the York Minster. It’s a lovely four-star boutique hotel in a Grade II-listed building, dating from 1829. The 41 rooms are plush and quiet and there are lovely public rooms to chill out in after a busy day’s sightseeing.

Eat

The Grange has a cracking two-rosette restaurant in the historic cellars, The Ivy Brasserie. Elsewhere, top chef Andrew Pern has already won acclaim for his Star Inn at Harome and his restaurant right on Whitby harbour. In York, you’ll find a similar relaxed vibe but with the very best of modern British cuisine at his The Star Inn The City.

Drink

You’re spoiled for choice in a city that loves a pint, a cocktail and everything in between. In fact, with 365 pubs, there is one for every day of the year. The Guy Fawkes Inn, opposite the Minster, is just one corker that is steeped in history. If you want to see where your tipple is brewed, take the York Brewery tour. After an informed but informal wander round, you get your pick of what you’ve just seen in the lovely old taproom bar.

See

It’s such a compact city, you can see a surprising amount in two days and a One Day York City Card or two-day York And Beyond Explorer Pass gives entry to many attractions (yorkpass.com). Must-sees include the Minster, the city’s Roman walls and taking a wander down the narrow, character-packed Shambles. The JORVIK Centre is great fun, train buffs will love the massive National Railway Museum and a boat ride on the River Ouse will give you a fresh perspective. The Chocolate Story is a lip-smacking treat and it currently has an exhibition Breaking the Mould – The Story of Kit Kat. New in the city from July 5 is Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience which is making its UK debut, with over 200 of his works. All tourism info from visityork.org