Yorkshire is notorius for it's history and hospitality and you will pinpoint both in excess in the cute urban place of York. The Romans were responsible for building the roads, the Saxons set-up villages and fields and the Normans left their mark in the form of amazing and unique architecture. This wasn't always easy for the citizens of York and has perhaps aided to make them the resilient and positive citizens they are nowadays.

Fairfax House in Castlegate, York is the most beautiful Georgian city House in England. Bought in 1760 as a dowry for Anne Fairfax, the only surviving child of Viscount Fairfax, the family turned to York's most distinguished architect - John Carr - to create the interior. To complement the interior design, superb examples of paintings, silver and glass are distributed overall the house and period displays are arranged in the eating room and kitchen. The result is a successful blend of classic style and conservation, to be enjoyed by everyone keen on British heritage.

The Eden Camp modish past Theme Museum situated on the junction of he A64 and A169 approximately half way between York and Scarborough is well worth a come by. Housed within an original Prisoner of War camp, you will experience the sights, sounds and even smells of life on both the home front and front line amid World War Two. Crowded catering facilities, a drinking house and gift shop are on site and it will be an dazzling and educational day out for the family. Eden Camp is open seven days a week from 10 am to 5 pm and it is suggested that at minimal four hours is allowed for a packed like sardines dwell to the six acre site. The Ryedale Folk Museum at Hutton-le-Hole, York celebrates the rich inheritance of North Yorkshire from the Iron Age roundhouse to the 1950's Post Office and is also a fantastic day out for all ages.

Forget one-custom systems, extortionate parking charges and tedious traffic jams! Head for Monks Cross Shopping Park or Clifton Moor Retail Park, both easily accessible from the A1237 York Outer Ring Road. Every one of major High Street stores are represented there, including Marks & Spencer, Boots, Monsoon, Clarks, Top Shop, New Look, Next, River Island, W H Smith, BHS, PC World, Dunelm Mill, Wilkinson's, Wickes, Tesco's, Matalan, Roseby's, Pets at Home and Argos. There are also numerous restaurants, cafes, distraction complexes and fitness centres to select from. Thousands of free parking bays and late night shopping will help to make a trip to Monks Cross or Clifton Moor a distraction and fruitful experience for the whole family.

If you are concerned about parking problems or traffic jams in the town centre, why not consider using one of the numerous Park & Ride points that York has to offer - Rawcliffe pub (Clifton Moor), Monks Cross (Huntington), Grimston drinking house (Hull Road), Askham bar (Tadcaster Road) or McArthur Glen Designer Outlet. The seaside place of Scarborough also has myriads Park & Ride opportunities and suggests high excellent buses operating every 12 minutes to the seafront and city centre in less than 15 minutes.

York is the perfect metropolitan area for young and old alike and there are more than enough inducement to please the whole family. In the settlements and villages, independent retailers sit alongside galleries displaying arts and crafts of those inspired by the exquisite countryside, while welcoming public houses with roaring fires and local ale are found on every corner.