21/12/2009

Main News

See You in York!

Visitors to York this Winter can book three nights for the price of two or four nights for the price of three at selected hotels and guesthouses, courtesy of Visit York's latest offer. Those who are tempted to book the four nights option will also receive a bottle of complimentary Yorkshire Country Wine to enjoy during their stay.

Using social media sites such as Twitter (www.twitter.com/visityork) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/visityork), ‘See You In York' will encourage friends and families to discuss and agree their next location to meet up, harnessing the power of personal recommendation to spread the word about York across the world wide web.

Be it a shopping break for sisters, exploring world-class attractions with grandchildren or celebrating a special birthday for the whole family, York is the top destination for that special trip in 2010.

See You In York will run until the end of March 2010. For more details and to book a ‘See You In York' break visit www.visityork.org/seeyouinyork or telephone York Visitor Information on 01904 550088.

Press contact: Kay Hyde, PR Manager, Visit York Tel: 01904 554451, Email: kh@visityork.org  

Mystery Plays return to York for 2010
11 July & 18 July 2010

The Passion Plays of England are some of the oldest pieces of English literature. They were performed on the streets of our medieval cities on the church Feast Day of Corpus Christi, around midsummer.

The best preserved of these religious pageant performances are those of York which were staged by members of the City Guilds and performed on carts or wagons drawn through the streets. Each craft guild or 'mysterie' would perform its own play as part of an agreed cycle which would take a full day to view at various stations throughout the City.

The 2010 production will again fill the City streets with drama and spectacle, offering a truly unique experience for local and visitor alike. The plays will be performed on wagons at various locations throughout the City, on Sunday 11th July and Sunday 18th July 2010.

On 2 consecutive Sundays 12 plays will be performed on wagons moving through the City streets accompanied by music - a colour and vivid spectacle.

They will stop and perform at 4 different stations:

11th July - Deans Park (ticketed seating and free-to-view), College Green (free), Parliament Street (ticketed seating and free to view), Eye of York (ticketed seating and free to view))

18th July - Deans Park (tickets & free to view), College Green (free), St. Sampson Square (tickets and free to view), Museum Gardens (tickets and free to view).

Performances start at Noon and will finish around 6.00pm. Because this is a long time, the production is in two parts, with ticketing available for either halves or both. People can comfortably watch one part and then explore the City coming across other performances as they wander.

Ticket prices yet to be fixed. The production will involve over 500 local people in various roles.

Public contact: For more information, visit www.yorkmysteryplays.co.uk  or email info@yorkmysteryplays.co.uk  Press contact: Roger Lee, Tel: 01904 653698, email roger@yorkmysteryplays.co.uk

25 years of Viking history brought to life - £1 million new look for JORVIK Viking Centre

The JORVIK Viking Centre will reopen in February 2010 following a £1 million refurbishment. The new centre will incorporate an underfoot reconstruction of the original Coppergate excavation on which the Viking Centre was built; new state-of-the-art animatronics and the reconstruction of a new Viking-age house and backyard.

Thirty years ago, York Archaeological Trust archaeologists revealed the houses, workshops and backyards of the Viking-Age city of Jorvik as it stood 1,00 years ago. This new development will bring that excavation to life, including new, lifelike animatronics and displays of never before seen Viking-age objects - all incorporating recent research that has added to the picture of what life was like in 10th century York.

Experts gather to celebrate York's Viking History

Academics from around the Viking world will gather in York on Saturday 13th February 2010 for an entertaining and illuminating look at the past, present and future of Viking studies.

Public contact: For more information about Jorvik's exciting redevelopment, visit www.jorvik-viking-centre.co.uk  For more details on JORVIK's special 25th year conference, visit www.jorvik-viking-centre.co.uk/25years
Press contact: David Scott, York Archaeological Trust, Tel: 01904 543426 or email dscott@yorkat.co.uk

Yorkshire Museum to reopen after £2 million refurbishment

The fascinating early history of York - the capita of the North of England - is to be told through groundbreaking research and internationally important collections at one of the oldest purpose built museums in the world, on Yorkshire Day, 1 August 2010.

The redevelopment of the Yorkshire Museum will create a truly innovative home for the museum's collections - which include The Vale of York Viking Hoard, the most significant Viking find in more than 150 years, the head of the earliest portrait statue of Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, and the famous ‘Cawood Sword', only the fifth Viking sword of its type ever to be found and by far the best preserved, with a mysterious inscription that has never been solved.

The city's Roman heritage will be the central theme for the new look museum, with major exhibitions also highlighting its strong medieval and natural history collections. The project, called Letting in the Light, will see much of the relatively modern interior walls removed to create a much more open and welcoming space. The gateway to the new-look museum will be the large, light and airy Central Hall which will recreate some of the original look of the Yorkshire Museum.

The museum is also set to include a new learning level and a stunning audio visual introduction to the History of York in our 300 seat auditorium - the ideal first port of call for any trip to York.

Public contact: For more details on the plans for Yorkshire Museum, go to http://www.yorkshiremuseum.org.uk/Page/NewLook2010.aspx  
Press contact: For more information please contact Lee Clark, Media Coordinator at York Museums Trust on 01904 687673 or email lee.clark@ymt.org.uk

National Railway Museum joins forces with the Netherlands

February 2010 will see the opening of the National Railway Museum's brand new exhibition - ‘Once Upon a Tide - North Sea Ferry Tales'. In partnership with the National Railway Museum in the Netherlands, the exhibitions will use the Museum's rich poster collections to explore the past, present and future of the Harwich-Hook ferry route.

Visitors will be able to explore the personal recollections of travellers over 100 years of North Sea crossings - from back-packers and truckers to fine dining and family holidays. Not to be missed is the opportunity to walk onto the deck of a ‘roll-on roll-off ferry', as visitors see the turntable as they have never experienced it before.

Public contact: For more information about this exhibition and other activities planned for 2010, please telephone 0844 815 3139 or visit www.nrm.org.uk  
Press contact: Gemma Sneyd, Senior Press Officer at the NRM on 01904 686271 or email gemma.sneyd@nrm.org.uk

Behind the scenes at York Minster open to the public

The Stoneyard
One of the Minster's newest experiences, this 90-minute tour gives visitors access to the Stoneyard, Drawing Office, Mason's workshop, Carver's Studio and the East Front of York Minster itself. The trip up the East Front also includes some stunning high-level views over the city of York. The tours will be for booked groups only, with a maximum number of 10 people per tour. £5 per person.

Hidden Minster
These intriguing new tours give a choice of three, each lasting between 1hr 15 mins and 1hr 45 mins:

The Chapter House Roof and Mason's Loft: A trip to see the internal structure of the roof of the Chapter House, the outside parapet with fantastic views over Dean's Park and the Mysterious Mason's Loft above the vestibule.

Early Minster: A tour which explores the passages either side of the Norman crypt and discovers more about the cathedrals that existed on this site prior to the present one. The party are then taken up across the walkway of the Five Sisters Window, 75 feet above the floor of the cathedral.

West End and Bell Towers: This tour explores the two western towers and gives the visitors the opportunity to see the bells and how they are operated as well as a great view from the external west gallery.

The tours are available for booked groups only, with a maximum number of 10 people per tour. £5 per person.

Public contact: For more information about events and exhibitions happening at York Minster visit www.yorkminster.org  
Press Contact: Kendal Mosley-Chalk Tel: 01904 557248, Email: kendalm@yorkminster.org  

Fountains Abbey goes mobile

Visitors can now access information from the Fountains Abbey website wherever they are via their mobile phone, iPod Touch or BlackBerry.

This development means that potential visitors can now plan their visit whilst they are out and about, deciding what to see and do en route to the estate.

The mobile site is a special version of the existing website that is suitable for viewing on a small device, so all the important information is there, such as opening times, prices, map and a gallery of images of the estate. There is also the option to navigate to the main website.

Visitors should log on to www.fountainsabbey.org.uk  to plan their next visit.
Press contact: Jenny Coupland, Communications & Activities Officer. Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal, Estate Office, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 3DY. Tel 01765 643199 Fax 01765 601002

New Exhibitions

Spend a day where others spent a lifetime... at York Castle Prison

The infamous cells of York Castle Museum were unlocked in 2009, unleashing the powerful, moving and sometimes gruesome tales of those that were once imprisoned there.

York Castle Museum's newest experience, York Castle Prison, plunges visitors back to the time when the building was used to house the county's worst felons and debtors.

By winding through the cramped authentic cells people can explore the dark, dank conditions prisoners were kept in and learn about their crimes and their punishment.

The cell area will be split into two separate parts. The first will allow visitors to get a sense of what imprisonment would have been like in a 18th and 19th Century gaol. The cells will be dark and eerie, with the sound of keys, chains and prisoners echoing around the corridor.

In the cells visitors will meet characters displayed through the latest audio visual technology. They are all based on real prisoners, each with a very different and thought provoking tale to tell. These include a gaoler, thieves, debtors and of course Richard ‘Dick' Turpin.

Public contact: The York Castle Museum opens from 9:30am to 5pm daily.
Admission is £7.50 for adults, £6.50 for concessions and £4 for children, free to under-fives. For more visitor information, telephone 01904 687687 or visit www.yorkcastlemuseum.org.uk  
Press contact: For more information please contact Lee Clark, Media Coordinator, on 01904 687673 or email lee.clark@ymt.org.uk

Upcoming Festivals / Events

The 25th JORVIK Viking Festival
13-21 February 2010

Celebrating 25 years of Viking rule in York, this Viking Festival promises to be the best yet. The kids can learn battle drills and have a go at sword combat; delve for buried treasure; hear Viking tales; learn a choreographed stage fight from the experts; learn some of the filthiest, smelliest secrets of the Viking Age; have a go at Viking crafts; see the latest finds from the live Hungate excavations and learn Japanese Taiko drumming.

Public contact: Watch out for upcoming news of the 2010 Festival on www.jorvik-viking-centre.co.uk  
Press contact: David Scott, York Archaeological Trust, Tel: 01904 543426 or email dscott@yorkat.co.uk

Food and Drink News

York's newest tearoom opens in one of the city's most historic venues

The cobbled courtyard belonging to Grays Court at the junction of Chapter House Street and Ogleforth constitutes one of the most picturesque and unspoiled corners of York - and is home to one of York's newest tearooms.

Grays Court dates back to 1080, when it was commissioned by the first Norman Archbishop of York Minster to provide the official residence of the Treasurer. Most recently it was occupied by the College of Ripon & St John. The property contains a number of important public rooms of architectural and historic interest, including the long gallery, a 90ft oak panelled gallery, which is one of only a few original Jacobean Long Galleries remaining in the UK.

Public contact: For more information on Grays Court visit www.grayscourtyork.com or Tel: 01904 612613.
Press contact: Helen Heraty, Tel: 01904 612613.

Accommodation News

AA Hotel of the Year 2009 title given to Yorkshire's luxury hideaway hotel

The Feversham Arms Hotel & Verbena Spa in Helmsley, North Yorkshire has received nationwide recognition as ‘AA Hotel of the Year' for England.

Attended by top UK chefs and prominent hoteliers, the AA Hospitality Awards recognises and rewards the excellent services provided by the UK's very best establishments, and honours the finest AA-inspected and rated hotels, restaurants and pubs throughout the UK.

The award comes after a five-year journey for the Feversham Arms under Simon Rhatigan's ownership, developing the property from what was originally a pub with rooms and now emerging into a relaxed hideaway hotel for today's guest.

The only place in Yorkshire to experience true Parisian beauty...

The Feversham Arms Hotel & verbena Spa has joined forces with ‘Haute Couture' Parisian Beauty Brand Anne Semonin to launch a new range of products and treatments for the first time in Yorkshire.

Bringing the full range of Parisian spa treatments and beauty products to its Northern flagship, the Verbena Spa, Anne Semonin has designed a bespoke spa menu, including a number of new exclusive signature treatments, such as the ‘Verbena Black Sand Exfoliation Experience Massage', ‘Bubbling Mud for Boys' and the ‘Royal Miracle Ice Facial'.

Anne Semonin's famous attention to detail can also be seen in new touches such as the deliciously refreshing Verbena sorbet served at the end of the guests' Spa treatments.

A Small Luxury Hotel of the World...

The Feversham Arms Hotel & Verbena Spa has also become one of the newest additions to the Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection. The luxury boutique hotel and spa is located in the picturesque market town of Helmsley, North Yorkshire and has 33 bedrooms, 22 of which are suites, a two rosette restaurant, an outdoor heated swimming pool and the newly opened Verbena Spa.

The Verbena Spa launched in October 2008, along with 6 new poolside suites after a £1.2 million investment. Following the recent developments, the hotel was awarded its fourth star, closely followed by its welcoming into Small Luxury Hotels of the World.

Small Luxury Hotels of the World is an exclusive brand of more than 480 independent, luxury hotels offering an infinite variety of memorable experiences in 70 countries. Criteria for joining the exclusive collection includes exemplary standards of service, exceptional food and wine, unrivalled comfort and luxury and unique experiences; all of which the Feversham Arms & Verbena Spa has to offer.

Public contact: For further information on the Feversham Arms Hotel & Verbena Spa please visit www.fevershamarmshotel.com  or call 01439 770 766.
Press contact: For further press information, images and media visits please contact Laura Rochester at laura.Rochester@perception-uk.com  Tel 0845 293 2552 or Cath Couzens at cath.couzens@perception-uk.com  Tel 07843 382 386.

York's first five-star hotel

The Cedar Court Grand
Cedar Court Hotels are on schedule to complete their conversion of the old railway headquarters in Station Rise York, as work continues on a £10 million restoration project. Old fixtures and fittings at the 1906 landmark are being ripped out and work is reaching completion on the luxurious new bedrooms, bathrooms, function rooms, restaurants and bars. Developers Cedar Court are confident the new hotel will get five-star status.

Old rail workers' offices are being carefully converted, with the building's distinctive architecture carefully retained.

The building is Grade Two listed, meaning many of its original features will be kept, including old safe-vault doors; fireplaces and window frames. The hotel will also include plug sockets that could accept British, European or American plugs. Televisions will receive any TV channel in the world sets will be automatically configured so that if a customer checks in with a Japanese credit card, the television in their room will instantly activate the Japanese channels.

The hotel will have 107 rooms, will include a swimming pool, gym and Jacuzzi and there will be an open-air roof garden, accessible from the main bar.

Opening is planned for Spring 2010.

Public contact: For more information on the opening of the Cedar Court Grand Hotel and Spa in York, visit www.cedarcourthotels.co.uk or call 0845 4096430, and sign up to the newsletter for up to date information about opening dates, prices and packages.

Enjoy a warm winter break at the Cold Harbour Shed

Welcoming guests for its first season, Cold Harbour Shed is York's latest addition to its self-catering property portfolio.

Renovated from a former cowshed situated in a far corner, Cold Harbour Shed has been transformed into a delightful but quirky one bedroomed holiday cottage. The property is situated in the heart of The Howardian Hills of Castle Howard fame, with the historic city of York only 16 miles away. The picturesque North Yorkshire Moors and Coast are also within easy reach.

The name ‘Cold Harbour' means a comfortless shelter for wayfarers situated near a Roman road. Cold Harbour Shed continues this tradition off offering shelter, but now provide accommodation more suited to the 21st century.

Cold Harbour Shed has already been described by guests as ‘one of the best we have seen in the UK' and a ‘mini stately home'.

Public contact: For further details please contact Catherine on 01347 889364, or visit www.theshedcoldharbour.co.uk  
Press contact: Kay Hyde, PR Manager at Visit York Tel 01904 554451 or email kh@visityork.org  

Ace Hotel for a break on a budget

Formally the York backpackers for 7 years, Ace Hotel is the new standard for budget accommodation in York.

Ace Hotel takes its home in the 18th Century Grade 1 listed building on the oldest and most historic street in York, Micklegate. With its famous Rococo ceiling depicting Shakespeare and Newtons heads as well as a grand sweeping Georgian staircase and some 16th century oak beams. It is one of the last true Georgian residences of its time.

Lost rooms, fireplaces and even windows have been uncovered and preserved. Ace Hotel has recovered the original lost Georgian building and invested greatly to restore this ghost of a building to its former self.

Public contact: Visit www.acehotelyork.co.uk  Tel: 01904 627720 Ace Hotel York, Micklegate House, 88-90 Micklegate, York, YO1 6JX.
Press contact: Victoria Melles-Sawyers, Tel: 0207 602 6600 Email: Victoria@ace-hotel.co.uk  

Carry on ‘Glamping'

In this time of economic austerity Jollydays epitomises the new luxury - it's about simplicity, beautiful surroundings, great food and making time for family and friends, new and old alike - all at an accessible price.

Set in 15 acres of a 200 acre woodland, in idyllic North Yorkshire - only 20 minutes drive from York city centre, Jollydays is a completely unique concept that takes "glamping" to a whole new level . More a boutique hotel in the woods than traditional campsite, (think four poster beds, vintage furniture, ensuite facilities and chandeliers) this inspirational camp leads the way for a whole new British holiday - stylish, sociable and accessible - described by one happy camper as Enid Blyton meets Woodstock.

To book a stay at Jollydays campsite, visit www.jollydaysluxurycamping.co.uk or telephone 01759 371776. Village Farm, Scrayingham, North Yorkshire YO41 1JD.

Press contact: Carolyn Van Outersterp email hello@jollydaysluxurycamping.co.uk Tel: 01759 371776 or 07940 878861.

Share your York experiences on www.visityork.org

Visit York is encouraging visitors and residents of York to share with the world their memories and experiences from their visits to the city on the brand new recommendation system featured as part of the redeveloped www.visityork.org  

York Advisor gives visitors to www.visityork.org the opportunity to read the stories of real people, share photos of your favourite place to visit in York, recommend that romantic restaurant or enlighten people to the city's true hidden gems.

To take part and pass on advice in order for others to make the most of their trip to York, visitors and residents can register at www.visityork.org, create a profile and start sharing their stories.

Public contact: Visit www.visityork.org
Press contact: Kay Hyde, PR Manager at Visit York, Tel: 01904 554451, Email: kp@visityork.org

For more ideas on York themes for 2010, visit www.visityork.org/media  

Journalists: If you would like to visit York on a press trip we'd be delighted to hear from you, please contact:

Kay Hyde
PR Manager
Visit York
20 George Hudson Street
York
YO1 6WR

Email kh@visityork.org

Visit www.visityork.org/media

Public Contact: York Visitor Information Centre, Tel 01904 550099 or visit www.visityork.org