York in May

<p>We will be spending a week in York in late May - mostly in and around the city, but with trips to Leeds and Bradford planned, and possibly to the coast (Scarborough or Whitby). Any hints for places to go? I'll have an Olympus E-420 with 25mm, 14 - 54mm, and 70 - 300mm lens. I've got a range of photographic interests, but I don't just want to do the usual tourist stuff.<br>

Thanks<br>

Andrew</p>

<p>Andrew:</p>

<p>I spent a couple days there years ago. I was on crutches but my friend had been born in York. He would plant me in a pub and follow his quest to walk the entire wall that goes around the central part of the city.</p>

<p>I was going to say the walk round the walls is fun - doesn't take too long either. Apart from that York has an amazing history which cannot be obliterated by tourists so I would not miss the Minster, The Shambles, the Jorvik Centre, some of the many medieval churches. Street entertainers are also good value in York and give scope for some street photography if they are there in May. The National Railway Museum is fascinating and well worth a visit. Take your wide angle for that one.</p><p>In the surtrounding countryside I would look at Mallon Cove, Fountains or Rievaulx Abbeys, and longer trips to Whitby and (if you like old fishing villages) Staithes. Robin Hoods Bay is good too.The North York Moors from Pickering to Whitby are beautiful but I found difficult to photograph unless you happen to get the right weather. In the opposite direction the Yorkshire dales are magnificent with special mention for the Buttertubs Pass.</p><p>But these are all fairly longish trips and you may well find enough to keep you busy for a week just in and aroiund York.</p>

<p>"Not doing the usual tourist stuff" in York is difficult, although May may see less crowds in the streets and opportunities to do close-up architecture or photography of local life. Otherwise it is hard to escape the postcard look unless it is ends of day (either end), foggy or raining. I don't know Leeds or Bradford (might be OK if you are a street photographer or if they have some distinctive architecture), but would second Colin's recommendations of country spots for which Yorkshire topography and villages are well known.</p>

<p>Go to Robin hoods bay and flambrough head. They are on the coast between Whitby and Scarborough and very nice places to for photography. Also if your going from York to the coast you could stop off at Castle Howard.</p>

<p>Why are you going to Leeds and Bradford? They're just rather ordinary cities with certainly not a lot of photographic interest. The centre of York is pleasant and will occupy you for a day or two. The suburbs have always seemed pretty ordinary to me. If you want to visit nice towns try Harrogate, Knaresborough & Ripon. </p>

<p>The coast NE of York from say Staithes to Scarborough is interesting touristically and photographically. The North York Moors between Whitby and Northallerton are interesting and the Yorkshire Dales - particularly Swaledale, Wensleydale and the area north of Settle can be really beautiful in good light. Nice stone villages with old pubs, green valleys and wild moorland on the tops. It sure beats Bradford. </p><div></div>