This is part four in a series of articles on our trip to England. Here are the previous posts, if you want to follow along:

1 – New to the UK 2 – Staying on an English Sheep Farm 3 – Our Time at Chatsworth

According to our hosts on the sheep farm, it didn’t make sense for us to take a two and a half hour train ride to York for the day and a two and a half hour train ride back, but that’s exactly what we did. When in England, right? Gotta make the most of the time we got, and York was too good to pass up. Except for the blasting heat.

After arriving early at the Stoke-on-Trent train station (yes, we were back) to get a good spot on the train, we were pleasantly surprised when almost everyone hopping on the train was dressed in their proper British races attire, fascinators and all. Apparently we picked the day for the horse races in York! So, our train ride consisted of dozens of fancy and sweaty people squished together drinking beer and participating in general camaraderie. It was fun, but we were glad to have some breathing room when we arrived.

First things first: tourist office to see when the free tour starts. While we waited, we had a nice lunch in the park surrounded by Roman ruins and watched some birds get a little too close. We began the tour and, did I mention it was super hot? The tour was nice and the guide was fun, but the second we passed an old stone church, its cool air beckoned us in and that was the end of that. Little did we know, the church was having a small concert with a vocal quartet. We got there just in time to hear the church filled with their chilling harmonies during the last piece. I can still hear their voices when I picture that moment. Stunning.

Becoming un petit peu famished from the extremely strenuous exercise during our walking tour, we decided to recharge with a cupcake and some tea at the adorable Vanilla Cafe. It is here that we met a man from Scotland and his little dog, who had a Facebook page. I wish I could remember his name!

Right across the square is the famous Yorkminster Anglican Church. I’ll let you decide how beautiful it is.

If only all churches were like this!

We wandered the charming, small streets for a while longer until it was time to get back to the train station. Yes, the chocolate shop really was slanted that way! Created in the olden days when plumbing was more of a manual process :). Let’s just say you better have quick dodging reflexes.

The ride home was similar to the ride there. Full of people dressed up for the races, except this time a little more fragrant. I told you, it was hot outside. Some people felt comfortable spraying aerosol deodorant into their armpits in front of many passengers. Traveling.

Thanks for reading! Tune in next week to walk dramatically up the English hills with us and pretend you’re Elizabeth Bennet, or a frolicking deer.

~Leah

Bonus picture of a cute cat:

Read part five here: A Dramatic Walk up the English Hills