As the exam season draws to an end, the panic of exams/essays/assessments is suddenly replaced with purposeless and unstructured days and a promisingly blank academic timetable for the last three weeks of term. Without lectures and seminars to organise my day around, I find that this part of the year merges into one big blur. So, if like me, you find that you would quite like to do something with your free (non-hungover) days, then why not try exploring the city and local area. York has so many attractions and events to offer, not all of them very well known; here are some of my top suggestions:
CASTLE HOWARD
If you fancy a laid-back picnic in an idyllic environment then I would recommend a trip up to the Castle Howard grounds, 15 miles North-East of the city centre. Home to a stately 18th century manor set within 1,000 acres of beautiful landscape, this location provides the perfect opportunity to enjoy a relaxing day after the stress of exams. As well as the calming woodland and lakeside walks, the house itself is open to visitors. If you happen to visit on Sunday 24th June then you can also attend the annual White Rose Polo Cup where polo demonstrations and a parade of ponies will be a part of the main attraction.
SCARBOROUGH
Though slightly further afield, a day trip to Scarborough is definitely worth the effort. At only £4.60 each way (booked in advance), for 50 minutes of travel time on the train, a visit to this seaside town is a bargain. Offering more than just a beach, you can explore the gorgeous scenery with scenic uphill walks, leading to the castle, for a panoramic view of the local area. If that doesn’t convince you then there is also an amusement park, as well as a variety of arcades, casinos and market stalls. For lunch, I would recommend Mother Hubbard’s fish and chip restaurant whose food more than rivals Hull Road’s Harpers.
YORKBOAT – RED BOATS
If you don’t feel like travelling far and would prefer a nice day out closer to home, then perhaps you could consider renting your own self-drive motorboat for an hour or two. Regardless of the weather, these boats are available for hire every day from the Kings Staith landing and provide the perfect opportunity to explore the city sights from a new perspective. Each boat seats up to 8 people and costs just £25-35 per hour (plus a refundable £20 security bond) so this is a really inexpensive way to leisurely kill some time during the day.
YORK RACES (14th-15th June)
The York Summer Races draw thousands of visitors to enjoy a laid-back day, and provides students with the rare opportunity to don their most elegant clothing and accessories. Though the main attraction is tempting in itself, this event supports a worthwhile cause; by simply attending the day, racegoers help raise money for cancer related charities such as Macmillan Cancer Support. For just £7 you can gain access to the Course Enclosure (the informal area) which offers a view of the finish line. Though the grander areas provide more comfort and luxury, this section of the racecourse puts you in the midst of the action, and is the only place at the racecourse where you are allowed to bring your own food and drinks into the grounds (making for a cheap and very enjoyable day out).