York

A family friendly full fun packed day out is to be had at York for relatively little expense.
York is a truly beautiful & historic city with lots to see and do. The NRM (or the train museum
to me&you!) is probably a full afternoons visit on its own depending on the age range of your 'travel group'.
The museum is enormous and split into two parts stuffed full of trains & rail memorabilia.
I always enjoy a sit in the Japanese Bullet Train & there's a free short train ride to be had outside in the yard. There is also a massive gift shop that stocks all manner of train themed merchandise (great for Thomas the Tank-engine products) & I always buy a metal sign for my garden on my visits. The museum entrance is free, unless theres a specified chargable event taking place (check website before visiting). Children will love it, big kids will too!
There's the National Trust owned 'Treasurer's House' to be explored. It has a quirky clock has is so long it stretches between 2 floors, a room that is 'outside inside' and the 'haunted cellar' reputedly haunted by a Roman Legion, although it's never seemed to be open on any of my visits! Treasurer's House can be found just behind the Minster & is free admission to National Trust members.
Speaking of the 'Minster'; I've not been inside since a school trip in the 1980 as I refuse to pay the colossal entrance fee. (Durham Cathedral is free, ergo all places of worship should be in my eyes) However its a very pretty building and its fun to spot the gargoyles!
At the end of October the minster is usually used as a projection backdrop for the 'Illuminating York' event which is definately worth seeing.
The 'Shambles', a little further along from the Minster, are rows of quirky medieval buildings where the top parts are so close you can allegedly shake hands with people on the opposite side of the street (although why you'd want to I don't know!) The buildings are mainly shops now but its nice to amble along there although it does get very busy and crowded.
The Castle Museum is also another full afternoons entertainment. It has a
reconstructed street & other museumy type things! The bonus being the entrance ticket is
valid for a whole year so great for repeat visits to York.
Speaking of castles, the English Heritage owned 'Cliffords Tower' is a great place to view the city. Climb right to the top of the 'keep' and enjoy the panoramic views of the city below. There isn't really a great lot to see inside the castle as its totally hollow inside but its still an interesting place to visit.
If you need to rest your legs theres a lovely park nearby that houses the ruins of St Marys Abbey, York Observatory & The Hospitium, its great for a picnic or to feed the squirrels.
No trip to York is complete without a walk along part of the historic city wall. There are several gateways (known locally as Bars) to admire along the way or enjoy a little stroll by the riverside. Speaking of bars, I can recomend 'The Maltings' as a place to enjoy a pint of locally brewed real ale, or enjoy a nice glass of fruit wine.
There are literally hundreds of things you can see&do in York city & its a brilliant place to visit.
You could spend a fortune or take some of my tips & spend a little but have an equally fun day out!
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Historic Hull

We've visited Hull quite a few times since The Evil Genius announced the city as her university of choice. I find Hull to be a friendly and vibrant city with great shopping, plenty of eating & drinking places and even
a 'Real Ale Trail'. Hull is steeped in history with lots of beautiful old buildings & statues.
The Deep is one of the city's main attractions. It is apparently the worlds only 'submarium', it is in fact the largest aquarium I've been to and it has the biggest sharks I've ever seen in my life! There's some fascinating sea creatures inside, the Sawfish being one of my favourites. There's lots of interesting & plenty of hands on displays too. There's also a bubble lift which takes you up through the big tank and gives you a great view of the sharks.
Admission isn't cheap although it is cheaper than 'other' aquariums we've visited and they now do a special offer where your ticket is valid for a whole year (excluding bank holidays) which is good value.
The city also boast many museums with free entry making Hull an ideal venue for a budget day out.
The Streetlife Museum is far & away my favourite of Hulls attractions.
Its a large museum spread over two floors. It has several reconstructed street scenes and houses an example of every conceivable mode of transport (well anything I could think of!) from horse& carriages and bicycles to trams and even an aeroplane! Theres a very amusing 'carriage ride' to take too...I though it was hilarious, you should try it!
We also visited Wilberforce House. Birthplace of William Wilberforce who was a famous 19th century campaigner against the slave trade. Housing very poignant & thought provoking displays its an insight into a different era of oppression and eventual freedom.
There's also the Spurn Lightship harboured in the marina, but that always seems to be closed when I visit the city!
I love both lighthouses and ships so its a place I am eager to explore.
With the Maritime Museum, Arctic Corsairand Ferens Art Gallery still yet to explore Hull has plenty to offer the visitor on a budget.

All content& photos copyright ©AngeGraham(the vintage-pirate) and may not be reproduced.

Like this blog? Check out my website www.itsalittletravelguide.weebly.com all about the joys of travelling on a budget!