York is not only is it rich in culture, history and heritage but there is also plenty going&nbsp;on. From festivals, arts and culture events, great shopping opportunities and some of the best tourist attractions in Europe (if not the world). York is full of interesting stories, spooky tales and fascinating historical characters. York was of course the inspiration behind the naming of New York city and state in America and the area has brought us the beloved Yorkshire Pudding, Yorkshire terriers and arguably the best cup of tea in Britain. You may be familiar with the Yorkshire Pudding as a delicious accompaniment to your roast beef, but true Yorkshire folk know that the pudding is just as good when served as a sweet treat with butter and sugar or even as a starter with a rich onion gravy. 
 
They call crumpets pikelets, and if they call you cock or cocker then it's only a term of affection. A number of celebrated characters from the Brontë sisters to Wallace and Gromit, David Hockney to Sean Bean, Kevin Keegan, Brian Blessed and Jarvis Cocker, Michael Parkinson and Alan Bennett all hail from Yorkshire. 
 
We're starting our walking tour at the York Brewery which is close to the train station, park and ride system and numerous car parks. We'll chat about the chocolate, meet some vikings, look out for ghosts and hear about murderous kings on this tour.

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York: Chocolate, Vikings, Ghosts & Kings

Museum Gardens

York Brewery

York

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The York Brewery is a working brewery as well as a visitor centre. It's only been open for forty years yet the heritage and history of the area are reflected in some of the names, as I'll share with you in a moment. It's the perfect place to pick up local beers from the gift shop, or get right in on the experience with a guided tour. With ales on offer such as Centurion's Ghost Ale, Guzzler, York Minster Ale and Yorkshire Terrier any beer aficionados will want to have a taste. These beers not only boast great names and fabulous flavours but they have also won a number of prestigious awards. The guys behind the brewery are incredibly passionate about their products and this devotion to the cause is so apparent when you amble round the tour taking in the whole brewing process from grain to glass. If you haven't got a great deal of time in York but want to find out more about the brewery then worry not. Tours only last 40 minutes and happen four times a day (with the exception of Sundays, when they are closed). For just £8 per adult you can explore the exhibit, led by one of their expert tour guides and sample four different beers (each sample comes in a generous 1/3 of a pint measure). 
 
Concessions, children and members will benefit from a reduced rate and everyone has access to the well-stocked gift shop at the end of the tour. So feel free to head back this way after our walking tour to experience the delicious beers and explore the meticulous brewing methods that go into the craft. Now onwards to the majestic city walls and to discuss the dark history of the Micklegate Bar.&nbsp;

Image: ''<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:YORK_BREWEY_YORK_APRIL_2013_(8653685922).jpg" target="_blank">YORK BREWEY YORK APRIL 2013 (8653685922).jpg</a>''&nbsp;by&nbsp;<a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/28984065@N04" target="_blank">calflier001</a>&nbsp;is licensed under<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank">&nbsp;CC-BY-SA-2.0</a>&nbsp;/ crop and filters applied to the original

Micklegate Bar

The term bar is simply an old Viking word for gate. There are three bars (or gates) in York. Bootham Bar to the North, Monk Bar to the East and of course the grand Micklegate Bar which you see before you. I wanted to bring you to Mickelgate particularly as it is the only one of the three that still has a working portcullis. Did you know that if the Queen wants to visit York then she must stop right outside Mickelgate Bar and wait until the Lord Mayor grants her permission before entering? This is a tradition that 6 previous monarchs have respected as historically the impressive Micklegate was the main entrance into the city from anyone coming from the South. Monarchs must also touch the State sword before entering the city. The name Mickelgate derives from the term Micklelith which means great street or mykla gata (the Norse word with the same meaning). In the medieval era there were four main gates, but Mickelgate was always considered the most important and was always used for large scale events, parades and festivities. Up until the late eighteenth century, the area above the gate was used to display the severed heads of traitors and rebels. 
 
Our next part of the tour will take us round the city walls which are such an exciting and interesting part of York. Since Roman times the city of York has been defending these very walls in one way or another. In the past it was common for English cities to rely on walls as a means of defence, but nowadays it is rare to find an English city with much remaining city wall. In fact, York is the English city which has the most miles of intact city wall! 
 
The top portion of the bar was used as living quarters until very recently. Nowadays it is used as a museum. It displays the popular Henry VII Experience, which history buffs may choose to visit while they are in the area. 
Next stop the York Memorial Gardens!

Image: <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Micklegate_Bar,_York,_UK_-_panoramio_(103).jpg">''Micklegate Bar, York, UK - panoramio (103)''</a> by <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161103163802/http://www.panoramio.com/user/1396760?with_photo_id=130429707">ianpudsey</a> is licensed under&nbsp;<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en">CC BY 3.0</a>

Memorial Gardens

King George VI famously stated that “The history of York is the history of England!” referring to the fact that the city has been occupied by Romans, Saxons, Vikings and Normans. The battles that have taken place here have had such an influence over the history of the entire country. Also an unusual amount of archaeological and cultural remains have been uncovered in the city, telling us of a rich and vibrant history. The memorial gardens offer a&nbsp;little serenity and greenery but also a place to reflect on the magnitude of the history of the place. 
 
As a child in Britain we learn the colours of the rainbow through the simple mnemonic “Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain.” (Red Orange Yellow Green Blue Indigo Violet). Each letter of the sentence represents the letter of each colour, in the order they appear. Children also merrily sing the nursery rhyme about The Grand Old Duke of York and his 10,000 men without batting an eyelid or considering any of the history. Sources show that Richard of York and The Grand Old Duke of York were likely to be the same man, the third Duke of York who was desperate to steal the throne off mad King Henry VI. Henry's wife Margaret was shrewd and keen to remain queen and so Richard had to accept that the only way he would become King was if Henry died before him. As leader of the opposition, Richard fought in a huge number of battles around France and Ireland in his efforts to win the throne, only to die a few weeks after securing his historic agreement. So yes, you could well say that his battles had been in vain. 
 
Other sources say Richard III is the man whose history inspired the little mnemonic. Richard died during the Battle of Bosworth Field effectively ending the Wars of the Roses and his body was found beneath a Leicestershire car park in 2012. DNA tests on his body seem to suggest that there may have been a little infidelity involved in his conception, which not only questions Richard III's right to the throne but could also suggest that the current royals aren't of such a regal bloodline! 
 
Richard is a fascinating character whose story inspired Shakespeare's Richard III which brought us such majestic lines as “This is the winter of our discontent.” He is renowned for his association with the disappearance of&nbsp;his nephews, the two young princes were due to take over the throne when their father Edward died but they mysteriously disappeared leaving Richard to become King. The boys were in Richard's custody in the Tower of London when they disappeared, a story which is frequently referred to as The Princes in The Tower. Later on two small human bodies were found buried near the tower and although there is no absolute evidence to imply that these are the bodies of the young princes, speculation suggests that they might well be. But enough history for now, let's continue with our tour and discover a little about the wonderful River Ouse that York is built around.&nbsp;

Image: ''<a href="http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1751458" target="_blank">War Memorial Gardens, Leeman Road, York</a>'' by <a href="http://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/42538" target="_blank">Michael Jagger</a>&nbsp;is licensed under&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/" target="_blank">Creative Commons Licence</a>&nbsp;/ crop and filters applied to the original.

River Ouse

If you have the time, the inclination and the weather for it then you may fancy taking a river cruise while you are in York. You'll see the Yorkboat riverboat pickup point on the Northerly side of the bridge (to your left), just opposite the Memorial Gardens. From the river you can spot a rich array of stunning wildlife, such as the beautiful kingfishers. You'll also see a lot of the striking architecture of the area and get a different view of this magnificent city. The water-meadow scenery that the river provides is one of the selling points of York and adds a whole new dimension to this dynamic city.

York is renowned for its vibrant calendar of festivals which occur throughout the year and the annual river festival each July is one of these celebrated events. With races, regattas and displays occurring on this grand stretch of river. The River Ouse flows for an impressive 60 miles venturing through fertile land and an impressive amount of history on its way to join the powerful River Humber further down South.

The River Ouse brought visitors to York since the Roman times and with the fertile surrounding land being the perfect bed for agriculture and the river itself providing great opportunities for importing raw materials into the city as well as trading and exporting materials to other areas, civilisation soon developed and flourished with the River Ouse at its core. 
Across the river you'll be able to spot the delightful Museum Gardens which are our next destination.&nbsp;

There is a rich variety of species of trees, plants and birds in the gardens which botanists and nature lovers may want to explore. The rest of us can simply enjoy&nbsp;the picturesque scenery, stroll around the area and take it all in. The grey squirrels who inhabit the area are pretty tame and often provide entertainment and amusement to passers-by. See if you can spot the monkey puzzle tree while you are here and keep an eye out for the beautiful white roses around the entrance to the Museum. White roses are the symbol of Yorkshire and are particularly exquisite. In the spring and summer months you will often find outdoor theatre performances, musicians and performers entertaining captive audiences in the lush surroundings. The space is also used for many of York's infamous festival activities. The Yorkshire Museum is housed within the expansive garden and hosts permanent exhibitions of biology, astronomy, geology and archaeology. 
 
While you are here, look out for the Multangular Tower on the West side, it's pretty hard to miss it! It is the most intact of all the structures that remain from the ancient Roman walls. At one time there would have been eight of these towers in York alone. After the Romans, the Danes occupied the city and destroyed all of the other towers but for one reason or another they kept this one. There are several interesting buildings and clusters of ruins within the gardens if you fancy exploring, such as St Leonard's Hospital Chapel which can be found on the East side. 
 
The gardens were given to the Yorkshire Philosophical Society by the Royal Family in the 1800s, purely so they had a museum to house there collection on the proviso that the grounds were converted into a botanical garden. True to their word the society created a magnificent garden that featured a beautiful pond, conservatory and menagerie. The tranquil beauty didn't last long though as a bear escaped from the menagerie, destroying its pristine surroundings. I like the thought of an enraged bear lolloping through the greenery and disrupting the peace and quiet. 
 
When you've had a stroll around and seen all you want to, let's move on to the King's Manor which has quite an intriguing history.&nbsp;

The King's Manor

As well as being an impressive sight and a listed building, The King's Manor is also part of the University of York, housing the Medieval Studies and Archaeological Departments. If you look above the main entrance you will spot a coat of arms that dates back to the time of Charles I. You can read the phrase “Dieu et mon droit” or God and my right, but the letter n is back to front. It's interesting to ponder on this. Was the stonemason a poor choice, illiterate or even a touch rebellious? And why has no-one thought to correct this mistake? 
The University are very proud of their ownership of this building, and is indeed&nbsp;a splendid example of Tudor &amp; Stuart style architecture and further proof of the richness of history that makes York so varied and fascinating. 
 
If you look to the right of the main entrance you will see the most recently erected building, The Principal's House. A maid once fainted while she was in there and observed a ghostly figure of a Tudor lady who emerged from a cupboard and strolled calmly right through the terrified maid. The maid spoke of a decorative green dress and the roses that the lady carried in her hands. According to the story, this apparition was seen on numerous occasions and each of the unconnected witnesses spoke of the beautiful green dress and the roses. Many suggested that it could have been the ghost of Queen Catherine Howard who stayed at the Manor along with her husband King Henry VIII, and who also entertained her secret lover within the Manor until her execution. The details of the costume seemed to fit, but people soon gave up on trying to prove the story due to lack of evidence. However, many years later historians discovered that the area had once been a magnificent rose garden, which would certainly explain why she had been carrying all those roses! 
 
Well, now we are in the mood for ghost stories, let's move on to our next destination the meeting point for The Ghost Trail of York which is the Westerly door of the famous York Minster. There are a number of ghost walks around York, as the place is brimming with ghost stories. Whether you believe in the supernatural or not, they are thoroughly entertaining, a great way to see the city and give you a wonderful insight into the lesser known marvels of York.&nbsp;

Image: <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:King%27s_Manor_Main_Door_(13164975673).jpg">''King's Manor Main Door (13164975673)''</a> by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/60006733@N05">dun_deagh</a> is licensed under&nbsp;<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en">CC BY-SA 2.0</a>

The Ghost Trail of York

The Ghost Trail is slightly overshadowed by the majestic York Minster. Did you know that this is the only cathedral to actually have its own police force? Back in the 1800s, a local madman threatened to burn the impressive building down but his threats were ignored. However, he did actually manage to set alight to the choir stalls, organ and a section of the roof. After this event the police force was set up to protect the building and it still exists to this day. 
 
Across the road from the Minster (to the east) is St William's college. It is named after William the conqueror's great grandson, who was also called William. William was elected as archbishop of the beloved Minster but was exiled to Sicily by the Pope soon after. When the Pope died William returned back to York. He was such a popular man that crowds of people flooded the streets to celebrate his return, ultimately causing the bridge to break! Luckily no-one drowned, and the people believed that this was thanks to William's prayers! He died a month later and was then made a Saint. 
 
The Ghost Trail Of York has been running for over 20 years and has won numerous awards and stacked up some impressive reviews. There is no need to book, simply come back here for 7:30 this evening and you can experience the ghost walk for yourself. York is considered to be one of the most haunted cities in Europe with frequent sightings of headless ladies, highwaymen, Roman soldiers, spirit children and strange occurrences happening all over. 
 
As you venture from the spot of The Ghost Trail of York and the Minster down to our next landmark, York's Chocolate Story you'll pass St. Michael le Belfrey Church. One of the most renowned figures of the sixteenth century was baptised there. Guy Fawkes was born and educated in York before planning the Gunpowder Plot which ultimately led to his execution. 
 
You'll also pass a lovely little street, Stonegate on your right. If you like your pubs then you'll want to head back here later as Ye Olde Starre Inn is York's oldest ale house, dating right back to the 17th century. There is also a fascinating fusion of architecture going on down Stonegate with shops built in a Medieval style but with façades that date back to the Victorian and Georgian times. 
 
Now it wouldn't be a visit to York without at least a mention of chocolate! Our next attraction is York's Chocolate Story, the perfect place to chat about the tastiest side of it's history.&nbsp;

Image:''<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/sonofgroucho/2900684185" target="_blank">The Ghost Trail 1</a>'' by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/sonofgroucho/" target="_blank">Son of Groucho</a>&nbsp;is licensed under&nbsp;<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en" target="_blank">CC BY-SA 2.0</a>

York's Chocolate Story

York's Chocolate Story is a wonderful place to visit if you get the chance. The exciting exhibit will guide you through the history of chocolate, train you to become a true connoisseur of chocolate and even talks about the reality of chocolate's sustainable future. You'll pick up a lot of facts, secrets and of course a lot of chocolatey treats. York shaped the way we enjoy chocolate today in the UK, so if this concept interests you then you can find out all about how integral York is to our chocolate trade in Britain by visiting the Chocolate Story. You can also fill up on souvenirs and limited editions confectionery from the brilliant gift shop. 
 
York is often dubbed as the home of chocolate, and it did indeed build itself around its chocolate trade. While other Northern cities were dealing in cotton, steel, wool and such, York was dabbling with a sweeter side of life. It's not just the Chocolate Story that celebrates York's delicious heritage. There are a number of chocolate themed cafés around the city and plenty of chocolate shops to ensure that you get your fill during your visit. Did you know that 6 million Kitkats are produced in York, every single day? Have you ever wondered why Terry's chose to make a Chocolate Orange rather than any other fruit? Well, they actually made a chocolate apple first but it didn't really take off. Another fun fact is that the very first motor vehicle to ever appear in York was the Rowntree Van! With an enormous can of Cocoa Elect secured to the roof it was driven around town to promote the brand. 
 
Every April there is a chocolate festival and market which is every chocoholic's dream come true. If all this talk of chocolate is making you yearn for something sweet, then bear with me. We're taking a little venture to DIG and the Quilter's Guild but then we'll pass the Shambles which is a beautifully picturesque historical street but also the site of one of the most renowned chocolate shops in York. Monk Bar Chocolatiers make their own chocolates in house and they are some of the most exquisite chocolates in the world!

As I mentioned previously, York is one of the most exciting places in the UK for anyone with even the faintest interest in archaeology. There have been so many exciting discoveries in York, that it makes sense that they have a whole attraction devoted to their excavations. DIG is linked to JORVIK which we'll be coming to a little later on. If you have any interest in the 2000 year old artefacts that were found underneath the very streets that you've been walking over, then you may well want to return to DIG and have a proper look around once we've completed our tour. I just wanted to point out where it is, in case you fancy returning to it later on. 
 
DIG isn't just a display of lots of excavated objects, it is a really hands on experience that is fabulous for kids and adults alike. There are four excavation pits each one devoted to a different period in time with Roman, Viking, Medieval and Victorian artefacts to uncover. It's a great way to discover more about culture from the past and the strolling players in full fancy dress will add extra insight to your discoveries. You can also examine genuine archaeological finds such as 100 year old skulls and even Viking poo! 
Archaeologists are on site to help out and show you how its done. It's a great way to discover more about the area, archaeology as a skill and also to have a lot of fun.

There are tours every half hour, so there is plenty of opportunity to get involved. Though a good hour and a half is recommended if you want to really get your hands dirty! There are often special events going on too, so be sure to check what's happening so that you don't miss out. Now on to a more creative side of the city, the Quilter's Guild and the beautiful hall that houses it.

Image: <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:St_Saviours_Church_York.jpg">''St Saviours Church York''</a> by <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Malcolmxl5">Malcolmxl5</a> is licensed under&nbsp;<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en">CC BY-SA 4.0</a>

Quilters Guild Of The British Isles

So we've seen a lot of history and chatted about chocolate, viking poo and ghosts. Now for something a little more creative and friendly with it. The Quilter's Guild is a member run organisation where the focus is on preserving the heritage and tradition of quilting while still looking to a vibrant and exciting future. Kind of embodies the whole ethos of York, don't you think? 
 
The Quilter's Guild holds a number of different exhibitions, has a quiet members room where you can relax with a cup of tea and also holds workshops, talk and events throughout the year. There is even a festival devoted to Quilting! Of course there is, this is York, they have a festival for everything! Before you start thinking this is a small scale quaint old-fashioned sort of venture, let me tell you a bit more about it. Thousands of people take part in the annual quilting festival, with entries flooding in from all over the globe. Generous cash prizes are awarded to winners from each of the categories and everyone has a great time getting involved. 
 
The Medieval Guildhall that is the home of the Quilter's Guild is worth a snoop about too. It's showing another new angle to the vast history of York. One of only four remaining medieval guildhalls in York, the hall of St Anthony is owned by York Conservation Trust. The hall has historically been used as a workhouse for the poor, with weaving being the main chore. It was also used as a house of correction and detention centre for minor criminals, as well as a knitting school for poor children. In the English Civil War it was used to store ammunition as well as being used as a military hospital and prison. Careful refurbishments have brought it to its present state of repair. There are some beautiful carvings and panels within the hall that are worth looking at, as well as the work of the Quilter's Guild of course. 
 
Peasholme Green where the Quilter's Guild stands was actually once a water-meadow where peas were grown. The surrounding area has a very creative slant with many artists studios being near by, as well as some of York's most celebrated historic pubs such as The Black Swan across the road. 
 
Next stop, perhaps the most famous of all of York's attractions the JORVIK Viking Centre! Via a wonderful little street known as The Shambles.

Image: '<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:St_Anthony%27s_Hall,_York.jpg">'St Anthony's Hall, York''</a> by <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:GuillaumeTell">Guillaume Tell</a> is licensed under <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNU_Free_Documentation_License">GNU Free Documentation License</a>&nbsp;/ blur applied to the original

JORVIK Viking Centre

The Angles, the Romans and then the Vikings invaded York. The Vikings dubbed the city Jorvik and the rich history of the Viking folk, the invasion and how the Viking heritage has shaped the history is celebrated and explored in the wonderful Jorvik exhibition. We're just passing by, to alert you to its presence and to give us the opportunity to chat a little about the Vikings but if you get chance then the Viking Centre is certainly worth a visit. 
 
Not only can you marvel at the array of artefacts that were uncovered in York, but the JORVIK experience takes you back a thousand years to experience a reconstructed Viking village. Not only has attention to detail ensured that the look of the place is entirely authentic but the sounds and even the smells that accompany the experience are all utterly convincing and really evoke the flavour of the Viking times. 
 
The Viking influence isn't purely restricted to this wonderful exhibit, but events throughout the city reflect the proud Viking heritage. The most dramatic of these is the festival of Jolablot which occurs each February. To celebrate the coming of Spring, a re-enactment of the Viking invasion of York occurs with enthusiastic actors playing Saxons and Vikings in full costume. There is also long boat racing, dancing, storytelling and a traditional Viking feast. 
 
From one dynamic attraction to another, next on our list is the impressive York Dungeon which has certainly ruffles a few feathers in its time! I'll tell you more about that in a moment.

Image: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/robbophotos/7002270866">''Jorvik Viking Centre''</a> by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/robbophotos/">John Robinson</a> is licensed under&nbsp;<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">CC BY 2.0</a>

The York Dungeon

York Dungeon is considered one of the must see attractions in York with its impressive actor-led shows, mesmerising displays and brilliant special effects. If you like your history gory and brutal, or want something that isn't afraid to tell you exactly how things were then you'll appreciate the passion and commitment that has gone into the York Dungeon. You can learn about the plague, the brutal Viking attacks, the torture chamber and the gunpowder plot. New shows and exhibits are constantly being created, keeping it fresh and interesting. Visitors often remark on how the combination of the detailed set, enthusiastic acting crew and animatronics really bring history to life. 
 
The Dungeon was the second of its kind (after London) to spring up in the UK. It is constantly being refurbished, mainly due to its unfortunate proximity to the River Ouse which means it floods frequently and needs restoration work. 
The Dungeons have sparked a fair amount of controversy in their time. Just ten years ago they put on a special Christmas show called Satan's Grotto which enraged the local Christian community. The Christian's of York pleaded with the Dungeons to stop the show and spoke of real evil forces and potential harm. However, the show was a real success and if anything the controversy merely helped publicise the event. 
 
Another occasion when the Dungeons got extra media attention was when they offered special free admission to anyone with an ASBO (anti-social behaviour order). The offer only extended to two days, and was intended as a way to reinforce what sort of punishments people would receive just a couple of hundred years ago. The Dungeons were criticised and local councillors branded it a publicity gimmick gone too far and were appalled that the Dungeon were effectively rewarding those with ASBOs. 
 
Now let's move on to Clifford's Tower which is the perfect place to get a view of the whole city.

Image: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/laurj117/4796996486/">''The York Dungeon''</a> by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/laurj117/">Laura Parsons</a> is licensed under&nbsp;<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/">CC BY-ND 2.0</a>

Clifford's Tower

Clifford's Tower is immensely popular, mainly due to the gorgeous panoramic views you get from the top. The tower was initially called the King's Tower but it later changed its name. People believe this was after the execution of Robert de Clifford who was hanged here after opposing Edward II. It's rather ironic when you think about it that Clifford's name got the recognition replacing the word King, who he was against all along. 
 
Clifford Tower has been used as a prison, a royal mint and was the very place where Henry VIII liked to display the bodies of his enemies to the public. There are often historical events going on at Clifford's Tower which really reinforce the history and add a little touch of drama to your visit, so be sure to wander across if you see anything unfolding while you are here. 
 
The mound that the tower stands on is pretty much all that is left of the original York Castle that William the Conqueror built. At that time it had a wooden structure on the top which remained there for around one hundred years before it was burnt down in a disturbing massacre in which 150 Jews lost their lives. 
 
Tragically many Jews took their own lives in Clifford's Tower, rather than giving in to the rioting anti-Semitic mobs who were destroying the town. Local legend has it that the ground of the tower is a rich blood red, even after being dug up and replaced the red still remains. 
After it was burnt down, the mound was raised and the tower was rebuilt in stone. The senior stonemason from Windsor Castle was sent to complete the task, resulting in a very unique sort of design. The tower was attacked by fire, savaged by the winds and even started to crumble into is own moat. In the sixteenth century the castle's jailer decided to make some extra money by selling off bits of the stone to make money for himself. After more attacks by fire and the elements, the tower still managed to stay strong and although it is a little worse for wear, it certainly shows signs of its struggle and reflects York's turbulent past. 
 
Well, we are almost at the end of our little tour but before we go let's take a quick visit to the York Castle Museum.

Image: <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Clifford%27s_Tower,_from_south_2.JPG">''Clifford's Tower, from south 2''</a> by <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Poliphilo">Poliphilo</a> is licensed under&nbsp;<a href="https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.en">CC0 1.0</a>

York Castle Museum

York Castle Museum is built on the site that was once York Castle, hence its proximity to the Clifford Tower. After the castle was demolished, a prison was built in its place using the stone from the castle. 
 
There are a number of galleries within the Museum, such as a Victorian street and a beautiful Victorian parlour. There is also a history of children's toys which is pretty insightful. The prison exhibit tells the story of the very prison where the Museum now stands and odders&nbsp;an interesting look into the history of the building. In the grounds you can find a a reconstructed flour mill that was brought to the museum in the 60s. Other interesting exhibitions pop up throughout the year ensuring there is plenty to see and do while you are there. 
Recently a woman went to the Museum to explore the First World War exhibit and was surprised and delighted to see her grandfather's name alongside a pay book in one of the glass cabinets. Through this she learnt so much more about her grandfather, and even donated more of his belongings, such as his wartime journal to the Museum to be used in an exhibit. Her grandfather was one of the people who chose not to fight on principal and uncovering his diaries and further information about him has really enriched the exhibit. It also transpired that her grandfather used to support the museum and donate things to it when he was alive, so donating more of his belongings to the exhibit seemed completely&nbsp;the right thing to do. By all means have a venture inside now that you are here. 
 
So here we are at the end of our tour. If there are certain places that sparked your interest and you feel warrant a little extra time and attention then why not retrace your steps and see what you can find out? Be sure to sample some chocolate while you are in chocolate city and make sure you get your quota of Yorkshire tea while you're at it! Keep an eye out for ghosts and take heed of those Vikings, I hear they can be pretty bloodthirsty. Thanks for coming round York with me, I hope we can explore another city together very soon.

Image: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/billy_wilson/49944015927/">''The Female Prison, York Castle, York, England''</a> by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/billy_wilson/">Billy Wilson</a> is licensed under&nbsp;<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/">CC BY-NC 2.0</a>&nbsp;/ crop and filters applied to the original