Extra Sparkle
Yorkshire Life|December 2019
York is lovely all year round, but it's particularly sparkly and atmospheric at Christmas. Tony Greenway delivers 12 glittering reasons for good cheer in his favourite festive city
Extra Sparkle

LIGHTS FANTASTIC

Let there be lights. Lots of them. A trip into the city centre on an evening is a bit of a must, just to goggle at the illuminations. Lights are decorating the historic Bar gateways, plus landmarks such as the Boer War Memorial and St Michael Le Belfry. They even feature on the West Front of the Minster and, in the run-up to Christmas, are being switched on periodically.

FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD

We could spend pages and pages just talking about the incredible festive grub on offer in York. But how about this for a start: seasonal food is a speciality of the massively acclaimed Roots York, which is owned by award-winning chef Tommy Banks. Top choices from Banks' Feast Menu with a Festive Twist are pig’s cheek in blankets with a bread sauce, followed by sticky apple cake, brandy butter ice cream and chicory butterscotch.

THOR'S TIPI

50,000 people visited THOR's Tipi on Parliament Street last year, which brings a Viking vibe to York's festive goings-on. The inside is decked out with furs, wooden tables and benches, and features a fire pit where you can soak up some Scandinavianstyle hygge. Cocktails with a Christmas twist, local ales and stouts, plus much more besides. Extremely convivial.

SPARKFLIX

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM YORKSHIRE LIFEView all
Charity Starts At Home
Yorkshire Life

Charity Starts At Home

How do we teach our children the importance of giving back?

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2020
THE INTERVIEW Steph McGovern
Yorkshire Life

THE INTERVIEW Steph McGovern

Live from Leeds - Steph McGovern returns to the studio after a scary lockdown lesson in live TV

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2020
THE SCENE SETTERS
Yorkshire Life

THE SCENE SETTERS

Hidden away in a North Yorkshire village, you’ll find a business making huge stage sets for global audiences, from TV’s The Voice, to the Olympics and Trafalgar Square’s plinths

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2020
On solid ground
Yorkshire Life

On solid ground

Dry stone walls are the thread that bind Yorkshire’s landscape. Fancy giving it a go? Pete Maynard quit his job to do just that

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2020
The French furniture hunters
Yorkshire Life

The French furniture hunters

A day in the life of Stephen and Kath Hazell who run The French House in York, one of the largest French antiques businesses in the UK

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2020
Face value
Yorkshire Life

Face value

We caught up with Sarah Thomas, co-founder of the York-based beauty brand that’s changing the game with waterless, vegan, natural and organic products

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2020
Wildlife in crisis
Yorkshire Life

Wildlife in crisis

From the bottom of the sea to the top of the tallest tree, there are tales of wildlife woes all over Yorkshire. The good news is that it’s not too late to save what little remains

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2020
Decorative art
Yorkshire Life

Decorative art

Not simply functional, treat your walls like an extension of your personality

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2020
Boxing clever
Yorkshire Life

Boxing clever

The Hare at Scawton was named Yorkshire Life Restaurant of the Year in 2019 and owners Paul and Liz Jackson had big plans for their gourmet hotspot. When lockdown happened, they put down the kitchen knives and opened the tool box. The results are spectacular

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2020
All the dales
Yorkshire Life

All the dales

This route from Thixendale to Hanging Grimston is often missed by local hikers, but it covers a number of glorious dales. Warning: there’s a one in six climb, but the views make it all worthwhile

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2020