Category: Columns

By Tony Chalcraft Time: 3 hours  Distance: 6 miles There’s lots of variety on this walk. A stretch of riverside, well-cared-for farmland, more views than might be expected, a repurposed railway viaduct, as well as the handsome village centres of Boston Spa and Thorp Arch. Is This Walk For Me? While not especially long, this […]

By Ben Robinson Recently, I’ve been particularly enjoying sinking my teeth into a good detective drama. Whether it is sleuthing with Poirot or delving deep into a Gothic case that needs solving with Sherlock Holmes, there’s always something compelling about immersing yourself in a book series where you get to know the characters and follow them on their missions. Here […]

By Sophie Lancaster As one of York’s most historic streets, Stonegate is filled with history and brimming with buildings containing centuries of stories. This month, we’re going to explore just a couple of them… But first, some background information on the street itself: Six feet below the cobbled pavement lies the original Roman road, Via […]

Did you know the place where York puts its annual Christmas tree is actually a former graveyard? St Helen’s Square has been a gathering place for York locals for nearly three centuries, but it hasn’t always existed as the hotspot for buskers and protests we know today. The oldest recorded history of the square dates […]

By Tony Chalcraft  By the time you read this, the last apples and pears will have been gathered. It’s not going to be a great haul. Although the summer sun has ripened the fruit and brought picking forward by several weeks, there are far fewer fruits than normal. One reason for this is that many […]

By Chris Small, Orchard Nurseries  Autumn is here! We should expect misty mornings, fog and the occasional frosts this month, so now’s the time to prepare for winter… Check tree supports are firm and the ties are not digging into the bark; loosen and retie if needed, in preparation for winter storms. Move tender perennials […]

Improving your home is about more than simply changing how it looks. The right windows, doors or additional living space can make your property warmer, quieter, more secure, and better suited to the way you live. Eliments helps homeowners to transform their properties with carefully designed home improvements, including energy-efficient windows, secure entrance doors, conservatories, […]

For Watermark, creating a beautiful bathroom has always been about more than simply choosing fittings. Its stunning showrooms have become something of a signature, bringing together inspiring design, exclusive brands and knowledgeable, personal service. Alongside its established trade and retail counters in York, Malton and Huddersfield, Watermark’s York showroom offers an inspiring destination for anyone […]

After more than 30 years in the kitchen and appliance industry, and as part of a family business that’s been serving local homes for nearly 90 years, I’ve seen just about every kitchen mistake imaginable.  Unfortunately, while some choices may seem inconsequential when you’re in the thick of sorting out a new kitchen for your […]

By Guy Dowse Changing the habit of a lifetime is not easy. Indeed, there are those who will warn of the unforeseen consequences of so doing, but they are invariably members of the, ‘Don’t stand on the cracks in the pavement’, brigade, and you can’t let superstition stop you trying something new, can you? Take […]

After many years of being the one friend who sits at the café table with a hot chocolate, I have finally matured to the point of mildly enjoying the taste of coffee. Here are 7 lesser-known coffee spots in York that make great places to warm up as the weather gets colder: 1. Spring Espresso […]

The idea of swiping a credit card has been transferred to the driving experience. Opening the sunroof, operating the heating or the radio is all done with a swipe of the finger in the Volkswagen Tiguan. Henry, my ten-year-old son, likes this. Correctly pronounced “TEE-gwan” (TEE-gwahn), the name is a blend of the German words Tiger (tiger) and Leguan (iguana). Initially, […]

Did you know that best-selling Devon-born author Agatha Christie trained as a concert pianist? She was also a nurse, which gave her an understanding of chemicals for her murderous plots. I didn’t, until our visit to Greenway, her delightful holiday home in Torquay on the English Riviera, which she paid around £6,000 for in the […]

Based in Bishopthorpe, Brunswick is a community for adults with learning disabilities and autism, known as ‘workers’), growing organic fruit and veg, perennials and shrubs, all sold at their shop on Appleton Road, with the proceeds supporting the charity. This month, our experts advise on what to do in October… with Plant Production Manager, Mark […]

Time:  2¼ hours Distance: 4¼ miles Leavening and Burythorpe This walk on the edge of the Wolds, south of Malton, connects the two small villages of Leavening and Burythorpe. Traversing varied and undulating farming countryside, it includes a mix of field paths, tracks and very quiet roads. Is This Walk For Me? While short, this […]