Saturday, July 18 2026

Road video and map

I would have liked to explore the Yorkshire Dales more but I also wanted to visit York Minster which, on a Sunday, is only open for sightseeing in the afternoon because of morning services. I need to be back in Northampton on Monday so decided to just visit Aysgarth Falls in Wensleydale this morning and then drive to York to see the Minster this afternoon.

Aysgarth is a series of falls on the river Ure with upper, middle and lower sections totaling about 100 feet (30 m) drop. The lack of rain this summer was obvious as the river flow was very low. In fact, I didn’t even bother to take any pictures at the upper falls it was so feeble. The middle and lower falls have nicer backdrops and seemed less affected.

York has long been on my list of places to visit and I imagined its cathedral church, York Minster, to be something special. I was rather shocked that admission for visitors requires a paid ticket and, at £18, it seems rather overpriced but I was not deterred or disappointed. It is very difficult to get a view of the facade as it is surrounded by other buildings and narrow streets. There is also a large tree growing just a few yards from the doorway so, even if you have a wide angle lens, you cannot get a straight on image.

Churches have been built on the site since the year 627 but most of the current building was constructed over 252 years from 1220 to 1472. It is notable for having the largest area of medieval stained glass in the world with its east window alone having an area the size of a tennis court.

York is, of course, an ancient city having been founded by the Romans in 71 AD. The Romans built the first city walls using timber and dirt but its stone walls date from the 12th to 14th centuries and are remarkably well preserved.