5 history sites in York that will enthrall the whole family

23rd July 2022 Sophie Christie

From fossilised Viking poo to the street that inspired Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley, York has over 2000 years of history to enthrall the whole family. Here are five history sites not to miss.

York minster

York minster took 200 years to build and has one of the largest medieval stained windows in the world. Built over a roman fort, the original roman mosaics are on display in the undercroft. Here you can also see 1,000 year old Viking elephant tusk, known as the Horn of Ulf. If you’re visiting with kids, the Doom Stone in the crypt is also worth a look – this Norman colunade is carved with gory depictions of lost souls being boiled alive!

For the fittest among you, the central tower is worth the climb for its unrivalled view of York’s skyline.

Jorvik Centre

In the 10th century York was a Viking City, named Jorvik. Built on one of the world’s biggest archealogical excavation sites, the Jovik Centre recreates the sights and smells of this Viking town via an interactive train ride through unpaved, rubbish-strewn streets. However, you may want to hold your nose as you journey past the Viking loo. After the ride there is a chance to handle real artefacts like Viking ice skates and even see a fossilised Viking poo!!

Clifford’s Tower

Built in the 11th century by William the Conqueror, Clifford’s Tower has a haunting past. In 1190, it was the site of one of the worst anti-semitic massacres of the Middle Ages. A violent mob trapped York’s entire Jewish community here. Rather than face death at the hands of the mob, the jews set fire to the tower and 150 people lost their lives to the flames.

The Shambles

This charming 14^th century walkway was once York’s most prominent butcher’s market or ‘Great Flesh Shambles’. Today it is famous for being the inspiration for Diagon Alley in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. At night, it’s said the headless ghost of Thomas Percy (who was beheaded by Elizabeth 1st) can be seen wandering the street desperately searching for his head.

Barley Hall

A five minute walk from the Shambles, is Barley Hall. Constructed in 1360 by monks, this magnificent tudor townhouse was once the home of the Lord Mayor of York and is a rare example of medieval architecture.

So, if you are visiting York there’s plenty of history and gore to enthrall the whole family.

At The Bungalow, Pocklington for families, Walks

Your Guide to a Dog Friendly Holiday in Pocklington

29th June 20221st July 2022 Sophie Christie

At The Bungalow we understand that dogs are part of the family and so we want you to know you are welcome to bring your pooches with you when you come. Whether you want to enjoy the Yorkshire countryside, visit the seaside, or just explore Pocklington’s amazing shops, we want you to enjoy your holiday with your pooches by your side and so we’ve put together this guide of dog-friendly places to visit.

Dog Friendly Cafes

A stunning walk from the Bungalow is the World Peace Cafe. Here they don’t just offer fresh water bowls for four-legged customers, but there is also a furnished hut just for dogs and their owners to use if it’s cold or raining. In winter time this is heated by a cosy log burner and is the perfect place to revive before your walk home.

In town, one of the most welcoming spots for pets is the Wolds Cafe & Coffee House. Pop in for delicious cake and a cuppa whilst you’re out shopping or go for brunch – they do a mean full English! Another fabulous spot that welcomes dogs is the Smile Cafe on The Mile. There’s always a fresh water bowl outside and you can even top up your groceries in the shop whilst you’re there.

Pet-Friendly Pubs & Restaurants

Judsons wine bar serves excellent meals for two-legged members of the family and welcomes four-legged ones to sit alongside you. Just be careful if you decide to dine from their comfy leather sofas and your dog can reach the table – you might find you’re sharing more of your meal than you meant to!

If you just want to pop into town for a drink, the Cross Keys pub has a garden where dogs are welcome.

Walkies

There are two circular walks right from the front door and the good news is they both take you past a dog-friendly cafe where you can refresh whilst you offer your pooches a drink. Head up the hill along the path along the left side of the wood and keep heading uphill until you reach the top. Then, either turn left, then right, through a gate and through woodland until you reach the far corner of the golf course, then take a left down a dirt track road until you hit the main road. Here turn left back along the Mile into town. On your right is the Smile Cafe.

Alternatively, at the top of the hill head straight on and follow the nature trail through a woodland skirting the golf course until you reach the entrance to Kilnwick Percy Golf Course. Here you cross the road and head for the Madhyamaka Buddhist Centre where the World Peace Cafe welcomes dogs and tired walkers. Head home along the lakeside.

If you don’t mind travelling a bit further, then Allerthorpe Woods is the perfect place to let your dog off the lead to enjoy a good run. Watch out though, the sandy woodland floor here is crisscrossed by streams slick with black mud that sticks like tar. Bring a towel to wipe down your adventurous dogs at the very least!

Doggie days out

Another great place for dogs is Allterthorpe Lakeland Park. There are three lakes to walk round and the ones further away from the cafe are quiet if you want to be able to enjoy a peaceful walk. This is also perfect for families who enjoy watersports. Further afield, but well worth the effort is Castle Howard. Dogs are allowed on leads throughout the landscaped gardens and there are water bowls at the outdoor cafes. Burton Agnes Hall, an Elizabethan manor house built in 1600’s, also welcomes dogs in the grounds and woodland walk. Spend the day playing giant chess and other board games in its walled gardens then enjoy a coffee or wood-fired pizza for lunch in the outdoor courtyard.

Of course, the best place to let your dogs run free is on any of East Yorkshire’s wide-open beaches. Fraisethorpe has a car park and the Cowshed Cafe allows dogs all year. Bridlington’s south beach also allows dogs along its southern section all year.

Pet shops

If you’ve forgotten to pack their favourite toy, or just want to treat your four-legged friends, there is a choice of two shops in Pocklington just for pets. From dog leads to dog blankets, either Pocklington Pet Store or RM English have everything your pooch could ever want.

Vets

We hope you won’t need them, but just in case, we recommend Battleflats just at the bottom of the hill from the Bungalow.

So, if you are bringing your dogs on holiday with you, we hope you’ll agree that Pocklington has everything you need for a pet-friendly holiday.

Pocklington for families

Gardens to go wild in | Burnby Hall Gardens

22nd May 202225th May 2022 Sophie Christie

Burnby Hall Gardens‘ claim to fame is that it is home to a national collection of hardy water lilies. From mid-June to August, its two lakes are ablaze with 100 plus lily varieties. But, as gorgeous as these floating carpets of colour are, they are only a fraction of what this public garden has to offer families visiting Pocklington.

Garden styles

From woodlands, to a walled Victorian garden, there’s something here to delight every age and taste. And, with an ornamental bridge, summer house, and a ‘stumpery’, this is a place to let imaginations run wild. There’s even a hobbit house in the stumpery.

Informal garden style

For years Burmby Hall Gardens sported a formal, municipal, look, but recently this has been updated. Whilst there are still loud stripes of colour lining the main paths, there’s also a much looser, informal style going on which is a lot easier on the eye. In spring, small sparks of candy-striped red tulips light up the woodland floor, replaced by soft wildflowers in summer.

Garden family fun

There are events at the gardens all year round, including an annual tulip festival, brass band concerts, and live outdoor performances. But even when there’s nothing going on, this is a fun place to visit with families. Children can feed the carp in the lake and there is an adventure playground as well as an ice cream stand. The cafe serves wholesome lunches and snacks too.

Garden history

Burmby Hall Gardens belongs to the people of Pocklington. A gift from Major Percy Stewart, a wealthy explorer, it’s an important example of Edwardian garden fashion. Major Stewart and his wife, Katherine, lived in the adjoining house, Burnby Hall, between 1901 and 1962. When they laid out the garden, anyone who was anyone had a rockery designed by the famous nursery, ‘Backhouses of York‘, and a lake planted with water lily collections from around the world.

Museum

In keeping with their fashionable lifestyles, the Stewarts enjoyed travelling. They made eight world tours between 1906 and 1926. On show in a special museum attached to the cafe are some of the weird and wonderful things they collected on these tours.

From a Maori cloak made of kiwi feathers, to African drums, and the fascinating diaries of Herbert Stewart, who taught the last Russian Tsar’s children, it is a mesmerising, if sometimes disconcerting, exhibition.

There are doll-sized Chinese slippers, relics of an era when mothers would break their daughters feet to keep them fashionably small, and a collection of stuffed hunting trophies. Seen through modern eyes, these artefacts are a little creepy. But the museum curators have taken care to present them in a way that allows children to question the ethics of hunting.

The Bungalow

If you’re staying at The Bungalow, then don’t miss out on a day at Burmby Hall Gardens with the family.

Pocklington for families

Why Pocklington is perfect for families visiting York & the Yorkshire Wolds

16th April 202214th July 2022 Sophie Christie

Pocklington is perfect for families

Planning to visit Yorkshire with family this summer? Ideally located between York and the coast, Pocklington is the perfect base to explore the region. And its self catering properties are the best places to stay if you are budgeting for a family.

Best of town, coast, and country

On the edge of stunning Yorkshire Wolds countryside, postcard-pretty Pocklington is just 30 minutes from the historic city of York and 40 minutes from the sandy beaches and white chalk clifftops of Yorkshire’s scenic coastline. A quiet, but active town, it has a cinema, quirky independent shops, two supermarkets, and a weekly market. With water sports and walks nearby, this really is one of the best places to stay in East Yorkshire.

Historic York

A 20-minute drive, or a 30-minute bus journey, from Pocklington and you are in the centre of York. Here you can walk the city walls, where the treasonous Duke of York’s head once hung on a spike, have lunch in any one of the city’s fine eateries, visit its world class museums, and be back for dinner. Don’t miss the gothic splendour of its cathedral, York Minster or the National Railway Museum, an absolute must for families with children.

Pocklington history

If history is your thing, Pocklington also has a fascinating past. This is where archaeologists uncovered the most important iron age find in Britain – a magnificent Celtic shield and an iron age chariot dating back to the 4th Century AD. The chariot was found hitched to the skeletons of two ponies that had been buried upright to look as though they were leaping out of the ground.

Family fun at historic homes

If you and your family like fun and games then Burton Agnes Hall, has an intricate Elizabethan garden laid out with life-size games where you and your children can while away a summer’s day playing giant chess or getting lost in an intricate maze.

Pocklington is perfect for gardeners

But garden lovers don’t need to leave Pocklington to enjoy rare and beautiful plants. Burnby Hall hosts the national lily collection and in the summer its ponds are ablaze with these rare species. While you take in the splendour, the children can feed the fish, sample delicious ice cream and play an African thumb piano or see a stuffed lion in its quirky museum!

Family water fun

In summertime, there are narrowboat trips along the dreamy waters of the Pocklington canal. More active families can hire kayaks and splash about in the shallow waters at nearby Allerthorpe Lakeland Park .

Walking & cycling

Pocklington is in the heart of stunning Yorkshire Wold’s countryside. Two national walking trails, the Minster Way, and the Yorkshire Wolds Way, run close to the town and it is also a stop on the Way of the Roses cycle route.

Short walks around Pocklington

There are also numerous, idyllic short walks to enjoy. Millington Woods is a rare, wooded valley that offers a shady haven for families on sunny days. And there are spectacular circular walks from the town itself. One of them leads through ancient woodland to a former country home now a thriving Buddhist centre. Take a stroll around the ornamental lake before coffee and cake in the World Peace Cafe.

Yorkshire Coast

A 40-minute drive from Pocklington and you are dipping your toes in the shallow waters at Fraisethorpe or Bridlington beach. These long, wide stretches of sand are ideal places if you are visiting with a dog – watch out for horses galloping! A short drive from Bridlington is Flamborough Head, famous for its Victorian lighthouse. Look out for seals on the chalk-white beaches below. The chalk caves at nearby Thornton Bay were once used by pirates and are fun for children to explore at low tide.

Wildlife

The clifftops at nearby RSPB Bempton host the country’s largest mainland seabird colony where every summer you can see puffins. Recently a black browed albatross has also been spotted here. And, if you enjoy wildlife, seeing the live animal nest cameras and wildlife paintings at The Robert Fuller Gallery is like visiting the set of Springwatch.

Places to stay in Pocklington

The Bungalow, five minutes from Pocklington’s glorious woodland walks, and a 10-minute stroll into town, is an ideal base for families who want to enjoy the best of what Pocklington has to offer. In fact one of the town’s most beautiful walks starts right from its front door. Affordable and well-equipped, this property sleeps six, in a double, a twin bed room, and a bunk room. It also has ample off road parking for families who want to leave the car and take the bus into York.

Places to eat

Pocklington also has a choice of restaurants and pubs to savour, from fine-dining spots including Judsons, Woody’s Cookhouse or Stamfords, to excellent curries (try Sonali for delicious Bengali cuisine). And if you are staying in town at The Bungalow, the finest pizza in town, Pan e Vino will even deliver!

Giveaways

Look A Facebook Giveaway – Win A Bettys Hamper

22nd September 202024th September 2020 Sophie Christie

Hello all, I just thought I’d update you with a new giveaway we’re running. Win a Betty’s hamper worth £100. Courtesy of us, The Bungalow in Pocklington.

Named after the picturesque location of one of our best loved Café Tea Rooms, this beautiful gift hamper is filled with Bettys choicest Yorkshire and continental specialities, to enjoy all year round.

A keepsake wicker hamper filled to the brim with Bettys’ delights.

Enter here 👉 https://www.facebook.com/thebungalowpocklington/posts/2849011195327630

This hamper includes:

– Bottle of La Petite Perrière Sauvignon blanc
– Bettys Tea Room Blend 80 Tea Bags
– Bettys Café Blend Coffee
– Florentines
– Yorkshire Tea Fruit Cake
– Yorkshire Shortbread Box
– Milk Chocolate Langues De Chat
– Yorkshire Gingerbread
– Classic Raspberry Preserve

Hamper: 38 x 32 x 31 cm

The Ilkley Hamper can only be delivered within the UK.

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Covid Procedures @ The Bungalow Pocklington Accomodation

23rd August 2020 Sophie Christie

Here’s what we’re doing to keep you safe in our Pocklington Accommodation

No back to back bookings – a minimum of 30 hours between each booking is currently in place.
Hand sanitiser is at the entrance to use before accessing the key and entering The Bungalow.
All towels, sheets, duvet covers and pillow cases are washed at 60oC, we include a laundry sanitiser with each wash.
We’ve purchased extra duvets, pillows and mattress protectors so they can be rotated between guests. This means they will have been stored for at least 72 hours between each booking
We’ve removed bedroom cushions and throws to reduce the risk.
We’ve committed to clean The bungalow in compliance with Airbnb’s 5 step cleaning protocol.
Hard floors, sofas and chairs will be steam cleaned between guests.*
All touch points (handles, remotes, key lock, appliances etc) will be sanitised with anitviral wipes.*
All plates, dishes, cutlery, cups and glasses are dish washed at 60oC between guests. That includes what’s in the cupboards. For this reason we have had to reduce the amount of everything we provide.

To reduce the risk we have had to take the difficult decision to remove some of the extra touches we’ve previously provided.

We are no longer able to offer a continental breakfast.
A limited stock of tea and coffee with be provided in single use sachets along with 1pt milk to welcome you on arrival.
A limited stock of miniture shower gel, soap, shampoo and conditioner will be provided incase you’ve forgotten yours.

* Where the property has been occupied in the last 72 hours

Pocklington Cycle Routes

Pocklington Cycle Route – Millington

7th April 202015th April 2020 Phil

This is my favourite short Pocklington cycle route from The Bungalow. Particularly if I’m short of time or just fancy a leg stretch. At 12 miles and an elevation of 982ft it’s a decent workout. Most of the hill work is at the beginning (providing you head east from the Bungalow!). Head up KP hill and turn right on to Cobdale Lane. Leaving a stunning drop into Millington pastures.

Feel free to download the GPX file by clicking here Millington_Loop.

Millington village is sixteen miles from beautiful historic York and almost three miles from the market town of Pocklington. It is known as the gateway to the Yorkshire Wolds, and popular with walkers and cyclists alike.

pocklington cycle route — Millington Pastures

Cafe Stops

Despite being a short cycle there are plenty of places for a cafe stop on route, for example.

At the end of Cobdale lane you can turn right into Huggate to visit Rachel’s Walnut Cottage Tea Room. A family run tearoom where everything is fresh, home made and absolutely delicious.

The Wolds Inn also sits in the village of Huggate offering locally sourced home cooked food, local beers, a sizeable car park, a tidy beer garden to the rear and benches out the front of the pub.

One of my favourites stops on this route is the Ramblers Rest Tea Rooms.

“Renowned for its charming, cosy ambience and freshly cooked, homely food using family recipes and seasonal, local food. The Ramblers’ Rest at Millington offers guests a spacious area in which to enjoy the delights that have made it famous throughout Yorkshire and beyond.”

The Yorkshire ‘Skon’

Home to the Yorkshire ‘Skon’, this is truly one of the best ‘Skon’ stops I’ve found on any Pocklington cycle route.

Skon time at the Ramblers Rest, Millington.

On leaving Millington, head down hill and south, which takes you down a bit of a decent, then a short climb. Free wheel all the way past the KP Golf Club on your right and the Madhyamaka Buddhist Centre at Kilnwick Percy Hall on your left. At the bottom of the hill take a right and make your way back into Pocklington.

At The Bungalow, Uncategorized

Weekend Makeover at The Bungalow Pocklington

19th June 201821st October 2020 Phil

Having decided that the out door living area needed some tender loving care, I took my self off to Langlands to buy lavender. I later returned £55 lighter, how does that happen?!

Landlands is a large garden centre at Shiptonthorpe about 6 miles to the south east of Pocklington on the A1078 Hull Road. It has lots of gorgeous things to buy, along with a lovely cafe.

Since the next door hedge took a severe haircut, I felt the seating area on the patio had lost a little privacy, so I installed some bamboo screening along one side. I’m loving the effect, it makes it more of a sun trap than it already was.

I’m also loving the ladybugs and the bumble bee climbing up the screen.

The next step was to brighten up the old dolly tub in the corner that was hosting a fine selection of weeds.

The tub has been drilled for water drainage and I’ve planted it with English Lavender and Clematis. I’m hoping the Clematis will grow up the trellis and also the other direction to spill over the railings.

Next I installed the BBQ stand that Gavin made. Precision engineering in stainless steel at its best!

Finally I snapped a couple of pictures of the garden for the website, as I’d had some feedback from a guest that they hadn’t realised there was a garden.

Walks

A Short Circular Pocklington Dog Walk

17th June 201821st October 2020 Phil

If like me, you can’t bear the thought of walking there and back, and need a circular walk…here’s my top short circular Pocklington dog walk. The route is mainly footpaths and tracks, with a short road section. Offering some lovely views over Pocklington town.

This short Pocklington walk is 0.7 miles, and should take 15-20 minutes. It took us 25 this morning as I stopped to take pictures, and Bonnie seemed to having a ‘slow’ day!

Like most of the walks from The Bungalow you’ll start by crossing the road and taking the public foot path up the hill sign posted Kilnwick Percy. Walk up the hill and across Gus Walker Drive. Continue climbing steeply up the steps until the path levels out and divides. You will need to turn bear here. Walk along the left of the hedge by the side of the golf course.

Chapel Hill

You will now find your self on Chapel Hill. Which was an outstanding beauty spot in Pocklington before the housing development which now covers most of the hillside. When you reach a chalk path, turn left, this will take you down the hill. Here you will see some lovely views over Pocklington.

Looking in to the distance on a clear day you should be able to spot the power stations. From the left to right they are named Drax, Eggborough and Ferrybridge. On an evening you might be lucky enough to catch a stunning sunset over the town.

Descent

Descend the hill and on reaching the bottom turn left along Denison Road. After the house numbered 14 turn left again up an alleyway/snicket/ginnel (delete…depending on where you’re from!).

On exit from the alleyway/snicket/ginnel turn left again and then right up the steep hill, back onto St Helens Road to complete your Pocklington dog walk!

Check out more things to do in Pocklington.

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Way of The Roses 4 Days Cycle Route.

5th June 201815th April 2020 Phil

Completing the Way of the Roses cycle route in 4 days in 2016 was my inspiration for turning The Bungalow, Pocklington into an Airbnb.

The Way of The Roses cycle route runs from Morecambe to Bridlington covering 170 miles. Here’s my story…

Feeling very adventurous I set off on my own, and cycled Route 66 the Pocklington to York section, where I caught the train to Lancaster. The cycle from there to Morecambe bay was easy, and I was the first of our group to arrive.

Day 1 Morecambe to Settle.

On the morning of day 1 we dipped our tyres in the sea. Posed for a few photos and then cycled our first 36 miles to Settle. The route started easily, and became a little more challenging as we reached Settle.

Way of the Roses Morecambe to Settle — Way of the Roses day 1

way of the roses settle to carlise — Way of the Roses day 1

Day 2 Settle to Bishop Thornton.

Day 2 saw us challenge the infamous high hill lane out of Settle, and I’m not ashamed to say that we all walked a fair part of it. There’s no shame in walking I always say, the only shame is not getting your bike out in the first place! High Hill Lane is a long brutal climb with slopes up to 30%. My legs and lungs will never forget.

Lunch was taken at the cafe at Stump Cross Caverns, fabulous cake 😋

Near the end of day 2 we had a slight detour via Brimham Rocks, which was well worth it.

way of the roses climb out of settle — Way of the Roses Climb out of Settle

Day 3 Bishop Thornton to Pocklington.

On day 3 Bishop Thornton to Pocklington, we saw the hills turn into gentle undulations and the scenery become more cultured as we passed by Fountains Abbey, Beningborough Hall and York Minster. Obviously on the night of day 3 we stayed at The Bungalow in Pocklington!

Day 4 Pocklington to Bridlington.

On our 4th and final day we cycled the last 44 miles to Bridlington. This was my least favourite day. We had left behind the stunning scenery and the well known landmarks, and the weather took a turn for the worse. When we stopped for refreshments at Sewerby Hall, it took great strength of character to get back on the bike! The only photos taken on day 4 were at the end.

Arriving in Bridlington in the rain, I’ve never been more glad of a cup of tea!

way of the roses finish in bridlington — Way of the Roses Finish in Bridlington,

In case you’re wondering…no I didn’t cycle home!!

I felt way of the roses 4 days was a very manageable length of time for our group. We were able to enjoy the scenery and didn’t feel rushed at any of the stops we made, thoroughly recommended. Just for the record The Way of the Roses total ascent was 7621 ft!!