Spotlight: York

York was voted the ‘Best Place to Live’ in 2021 by the Sunday Times.

It is a beautiful city, rich in culture and heritage, notably the Viking and Roman era, with York Minster at its heart.

It is full of culture and attractions such as Jorvik Viking Centre, The National Railway Museum and The York Dungeon, York Castle Museum, York’s Chocolate Story and The York Art Gallery which has recently undergone a substantial modernisation.
It is a small intimate and compact city (you can walk to most areas of the city within the walls within 20 minutes). It is easy to get around on foot or bike, with most of the city centre being pedestrianised. Making this a green city too.
York has two established theatres; York Theatre Royal and The Grand Opera House; both host acclaimed productions; ranging from comedy, opera, theatre and musical productions. It is also home to York Barbican a venue for music comedy… and snooker!
York is home to more than 2,000 shops, from small and unique and independent stores to larger well-known high-end brands.
The compact and pretty city centre is home to a range of unique and independent stores, together with larger well known and brands such as The White Company, and department store Fenwicks, and the independent designer clothes store Flannels.
Unique and independent shops are found on “The Shambles” the historical street which inspired the streets in Harry Potter.
Home to amazing restaurants and hotels, there is something for all tastes, and there are many acclaimed chefs that have chosen to locate their restaurants here

It is one of the best places in the country to guarantee outstanding educational opportunities; at least 90 per cent of state school pupils attend a school that’s rated good or outstanding by Ofsted, according to York City Council.
Top primary schools include Hempland Primary School, Knavesmire Primary School, Ralph Butterfield Primary School and Naburn Church of England Primary School.
Fulford School was named The Sunday Times comprehensive of the decade. Other high performing secondary schools include Archbishop Holgate’s School, Manor Church of England Academy, Huntington School and All Saints RC School.
There are many highly regarded private schools, including St Peter’s School, The Minster School, Bootham School, The Mount School, Pocklington School, Terrington School and Queen Margaret’s School.
York is home to two universities; The University of York and York St John University, both of which are highly regarded internationally.

York has excellent transport links, by rail car and air. It is located approximately halfway between Edinburgh and London.
It is on the main East coast rail network, you can reach London via rail in under 2 hours, and there are about 25 trains per day on this route. Also, the financial centres of Manchester (1 hour 19 minutes), Birmingham (1 hour 51 minutes), and Liverpool (2 hours 3 minutes).
York is close to two main airports, Leeds Bradford Airport (55 minutes/33 miles) and Manchester Airport (1 hour 34 minutes/85 miles). Providing easy and frequent access to most major European cities as well New York. There are also smaller local airports such as Doncaster Robin Hood Airport, and Humberside Airport.
For driving and commuting York is connected by the A64 to Leeds and Scarborough. The A64 also connects York to the North and South of the country directly via the main transport routes the A1 and M1.