Tour Guide in York: Vikings, Ghosts and Yorkshire Tea

Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome to York! I've been guiding here for nearly twenty years, and honestly, I still haven't run out of stories. Behind me is the Minster, our magnificent cathedral. It took about two hundred and fifty years to build. Right, follow me up these steps onto the city walls. The Romans founded this city almost two thousand years ago. Then the Vikings arrived, and they rather liked it here. In fact, many of our street names are Viking words. A gate in York isn't a gate at all. It's a street! Now, mind your heads. This street is called the Shambles. Look how the upper floors lean towards each other. You could almost shake hands with your neighbour across the street! It used to be full of butchers' shops, and the shade kept the meat cool before fridges existed. Now... they say York is the most haunted city in England. Do I believe in ghosts? Well, not before dark. Ah, at last. Time for a proper Yorkshire tea. People up here take their tea extremely seriously. It has to be strong, hot, and served with a scone. Jam first or cream first? Oh, please don't start that argument! Here's something that surprises most visitors. York was once the chocolate capital of Britain! Some of the country's best-loved chocolate bars were invented here. On a windy day, the whole city smelled of cocoa. Well, that brings us to the end of our walk. People in Yorkshire can seem a bit blunt at first, but we're terribly friendly once you get to know us. Do come back in winter. The Christmas market is wonderful!