What is a Minster?

Lili Tuggle-Weir
Apr 7, 2015
2 min read

Hello all!

Today Andrew decided to go down to York with Lili's mom Catherine, Uncle David, and, confusingly, Andrew. Off to Waverly train station to get tickets and some reading material for the 2.5 hr train ride through beautiful countryside to get there.

Upon arrival, we made our way to the most prominent point, the Minster. This...well, minster, can be seen from up to 30 miles outside of York and is quite impressive. Towering over all buildings in the vacinity, it is impossible not to be in awe of this structure.

Inside does not disappoint. Vaulted ceilings stretch to the sky with statues, carvings and intricate tile work cover every surface. The stained glass walls are a sight to be seen. Sadly much of the interior and exterior has been damaged by everything from the Reformation to fires, and there is a vast on going conservation project.

After the Minster, it was time to wander through the Shambles, the medieval part of the town. Shops crammed together down streets that would barely fit the average WalMart shopper jumbled together through the middle of town. We emerged from the Shambles and looked up to see a shell of the castle, the interior long destroyed.

Deciding to forgo the steep hill climb to the castle we instead took to the wall. The original medieval wall that once surrounded York has many sections still intact and available for one to walk on. Up we went, admiring the views of both inside and outside York. The wall deposited us right back at the bus station, so we took this as our cue to make our way back to Edinburgh to meet up with Lili and Gary for some well deserved dinner before tomorrows adventures.