in early june we took a little overnight trip to the north of england to visit the city of york. we took the fast train up there and enjoyed experiencing a new place full of history – from ancient roman walls to a huge gothic 13th century cathedral to a museum about how york was a hub of chocolate manufacturing in the 1800s. it was a fun couple of days spent together as a family. 

walking the walls: 
  
seeking shelter from the rain in york minster: 
(there has been a church on this site since the year 627!) 
 
wandering the darling streets while the boys slept in the buggy:
(we also got to have a lunch date in the famous betty’s tea rooms while mo and gabe snoozed!)

 
this area is called “the shambles” – a few streets full of timber-framed buildings, some dating back to the 14th century:
there is lots of harry potter stuff in york. the shambles is said to be the inspiration for diagon alley!

on this little square is the chocolate museum, a tour of which includes lots of chocolate samples…!:  

we spent a good chunk of time during both of the days we were in york at the national railway museum. the boys loved it, especially the play area 😉 
 
gabriel got to work on his newly-discovered walking skills at the ruins of st. mary’s abbey at the end of our trip. we said goodbye to fabulous york minster on our way out of town:
 

we love england so, so much.