In December, York fizzes with energy. Its labyrinthine lanes are festooned with lights and decorations and – as the city centre is pedestrianised – it's people, rather than cars, who throng the streets. Scores of buskers entertain York's Christmas shoppers, from classically trained opera singers to a man playing plumbing pipes with a flip-flop. The shops and cafes are similarly quirky – around 65 per cent are independent and feature some splendidly eccentric specialists, including shops devoted to German Christmas decorations, Japanese wood-block prints and replica Viking armour.
York claims more heritage attractions per square milecenturies long, is celebrating its 550th Christmas this year. For lovers of antiques and British heritage, it's an ideal place to go Christmas shopping.
