Book of Ideas 2021 Introduction The communications team at Visit York have put together this press pack to provide inspiration for journalists, travel writers and influencers who are looking for fresh ideas and reasons to visit and write about York. You may already know that over 20 visitor attractions in York are located within the historic city walls including the world famous JORVIK Viking Centre, the iconic York Minster and the National Railway Museum. York is a well-known historical gem, with the history of the city spanning over 2000 years from its establishment by Romans, to then being invaded by the Vikings, as well as its position as the medieval Capital of the North. York also has an extensive chocolate history with Terry and Rowntree beginning their sweet journeys here with Chocolate Orange and Kit Kat. It is a small city with so much packed in, much of which has already been written about, but with a huge amount more remaining to be discovered. We hope this pack will help you inspire your readers and viewers to choose York for their next adventure. 2020 has been a challenging year for the tourism industry and all destinations across the globe. Following the impact of COVID-19 and the national lockdowns, we are now working on a tourism recovery plan for the city. Our #LoveYork campaign celebrates the great tourism businesses in York, their creativity, resilience and superb world-class offer. We hope you will be inspired to visit York and that you have a wonderful stay in the city. We’d be delighted to assist you with your accommodation arrangements and provide you with York Passes for you to explore the city’s attractions. We look forward to welcoming you soon! With best wishes, Amy and Ana in the Visit York communications team. [email protected] 02 visityork.org visityork.org 03 News and New Openings A modern cosmopolitan city with deep historic roots, York is not static and every year brings new openings and developments. See below information for all of York’s additions in 2021 -from new restaurants and hotels, to rejuvenation SANDBURN HALL HOTEL MALMAISON HOTEL AND TERRACE THE HOLE IN WAND projects and activities. OPENING 24 MAY 2021 FUSION RESTAURANT AND BAR OPENING 17 MAY 2021 OPENING 10 JUNE 2021 The 24th May has been set for the The Hole In Wand Wizard Golf is public opening of Sandburn Hall Hotel, Malmaison is breathing new life into a York’s new immersive experience in one of the most eagerly awaited hotel converted landmark in York, the Aviva the Coppergate Shopping Centre. opening in the UK this year according insurance building. The hotel is due to Inside the old Wizard pub you will be to national tourist board VisitBritain. open on the 17th May 2021 and will taken on a 9 hole mini golf adventure As announced late last year, Sandburn offer stylish bedrooms and modern to search for the missing Gargoyle Hall Hotel, which lies on a 1,000 acre interior design alongside a separate Grobblenook, and includes a trip estate just seven miles east of York, Sky Bar named Sora, in addition to through a magical portal, take on will have forty country-style bedrooms, the iconic Chez Mal Brasserie & Bar. bubbling cauldrons and avoiding the including two luxurious suites. It will The hotel has 150 guest bedrooms, flying golf clubs! At the end of your open to the public on 24th May – event space for up to 150, a spa, a fully magical journey you will find out just 7 days after the UK’s lockdown equipped gym an on-site Starbucks. whether you are a Basilisk, Serpent, restrictions are further eased – and Situated on the corner of Rougier Unicorn or Wizard and everyone who it already has bookings for every Street, the hotel is a stone’s throw completes the course will get a potion weekend through the late Spring and away from of some of the city’s most to enjoy. There is also a chance to try Summer on its books. A design-led famous attractions, including York Butterscotch Beer, a pint of Wizard approach by award-winning designer Minster and the historic York City walls. brew or mix a slush phial in our café Rachel McLane, crafted country style, York train station is a few minutes along with Wizard Dogs and Uni-pop- natural light, sustainability and an walk away. Designers have taken corn. To start your magical journey visit active lifestyle (including walking and inspiration from the city’s industrial www.theholeinwand.com and cycling trails on the estate) are at the heritage and brutalist architecture, @HoleInWand on Twitter, Instagram heart of the hotel’s ethos, and a wide mixing concrete and moody elements and Facebook. Book media visits with range of leisure packages for guests, with softer textures and confectionery [email protected] championing York and the wider touch points, drawing on York’s famous North Yorkshire area, will be on offer alumni including the Rowntree and the to capitalise on this year’s expected Terry families. staycation trend. 04 visityork.org visityork.org 05 IMPOSSIBLE WONDERBAR AND TEA classic cocktails have been rejuvenated inspirations from the sea, forest and all play the correct note, volume and and local landmark, conserving and to climb two spiral staircases which ROOMS YORK with added flair and theatre to countryside. pitch. repairing the tower to protect it have been inaccessible for centuries. tantalise the senses. Cocktails include for generations to come. Clifford’s Specialists will also conserve the chapel Impossible Wonderbar and Tea Rooms a sumptuously rich Terry’s chocolate THE GRAND ORGAN RETURNS TO Experience its unique sound during the Tower is perched atop the mighty roof and interior to allow the public to York is the latest modern addition orange cocktail, an eye catching colour YORK MINSTER cathedral’s regular services and marvel castle mound raised by William the access it again, cleaning the stonework, to iconic St Helen’s square, with the changing gin cocktail and a refreshing at the craftsmanship which has gone Conqueror in 1068. It was the keep replacing structural joists to support heart of York’s buzzing shopping lychee and hibiscus concoction Hear York Minster’s Grand Organ fill into the once-a-century refurbishment. and chief strongpoint of York Castle, the roof and replacing tiles to make and hospitality scene. This Grade complete with a rubber duck! the cathedral’s awe inspiring spaces for A programme of events to celebrate one of the greatest fortresses in it water-tight. The intricate plaques II listed building is a hidden gem the first time since 2018 as the £2m, the organ’s return will be announced medieval England. The castle served above the entrance door, which show within the stunning twists and turns .FISH&FOREST RESTAURANT once-in-a-century project to refurbish later this year. See as the backdrop for events of national the coats of arms of Charles I and of ye olde cobbled streets. Situated the instrument is completed. www.yorkminster.org for full details. and international significance. The Henry Clifford, will also be repaired within the famously beautiful Terry’s Fish&Forest offers the quality of a In autumn 2020 the scaffolding which tower is a stunning historic building, and conserved. Though the tower is chocolate orange building, the new fine dining restaurant in a space of has surrounded the organ for nearly A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON and this project will make it easier now likely to have to remain closed to incarnation paying homage to the a relaxed, casual bistro. It is run by three years was removed, revealing CLIFFORD’S TOWER to move around the tower and will visitors until the project is completed historic building, notably the “Terry’s” a Yorkshireman and a Frenchman, the newly restored ornate organ case provide new interpretation to tell the in summer 2021 - to protect the public inscription still prominent the stunning friends and foodies Stephen Andrews and its decorative pipes and the 15th The fascinating story of Clifford’s Tower tower’s fascinating story. Exposed to and the English Heritage specialist front windows, showcasing Corinthian (Restaurantier and Chef patron) century stone Pulpitum – known as will finally be told thanks to a major the elements for more than 300 years, team on site - regular updates on columns and ballroom style dining and and Yohan Barthelemy (Restaurant the Kings’ Screen – which sits below investment by English Heritage at the historic fabric of the tower needs the project will be provided on the drinking areas. The historic building Manager) who pride themselves on it. The organ, which dates from the one of York’s most important heritage specialist care. The tower’s historic Clifford’s Tower website and Facebook has had a face lift to include a tea using local produce from sustainable 1830s, returned to use during worship sites. The project at Clifford’s Tower stonework will be repaired, including page. room, restaurant and bar, offering a sources. The restaurant offers a in March 2021 following a period of will do justice to both the history and the walls, arrow slits and fireplaces, and beautifully crafted central island where constantly changing menu which takes voicing to make sure its 5,000+ pipes the experience of visiting this national works will take place to allow visitors 06 visityork.org visityork.org 07 THE GUARDIANS OF YORK – PUBLIC RAILWAY HEROES AT NATIONAL ‘REUNITED: LIFTING LOCKDOWN STREET ART INSTALLATION RAILWAY MUSEUM WITH GEORGIANS’ AT FAIRFAX 9 APRIL – 9 JULY 2021 HOUSE The National Railway Museum has 17 MAY – 14 NOVEMBER 2021 The York BID have collaborated with launched a new exhibition that Art of Protest Projects to create a celebrates the vital role played This brand-new exhibition, installed Street Art Exhibition celebrating by railway key workers during the throughout Fairfax House’s stunning keyworkers from York.