Ask the crew: why you should visit York

The city of York is one of the UK’s best hidden gems – just ask Jihee Kim, a flight attendant with Cathay Pacific. She shares her favourite things to see, do and eat there.

“I took a day trip to York during a long layover in Manchester. My younger brother was travelling with me, and I wanted to show him somewhere different. As it turned out, one day in York wasn’t enough; it may be a small city but there is so much to explore.”

Must-do

Our favourite spot was The Shambles . It was fascinating to wander down this narrow, crooked street lined with medieval buildings. While I attempted to take the perfect photo, my brother loaded up on souvenirs from all the Harry Potter-themed shops.

Another place I loved was the York Museum Gardens . I used to think English cities were a bit grey, but this green, squirrel-filled park changed my mind. Walk far enough and you’ll find the ruins of an old abbey. It’s details like this that give York its distinct character.

Must-eat 

It has to be the Yorkshire pudding. This dish was completely new to me – I usually think of pudding as being sweet and jelly-like, not a doughy, puffy food that’s served with meat and gravy. We initially decided to try just one but, of course, we ended up ordering a whole lot more. They go perfectly with a pint of beer. 

Must-pack 

While it’s always a good idea to prepare for rainy weather, I found my umbrella a hassle to use in York because the streets are narrow, and the showers started and stopped unexpectedly. The only people using umbrellas were tourists; everyone else wore hats or hoodies . So I bought a hat, which ended up being much more convenient.