A new thread and some fun facts on where I am now, the beautiful city of York. Hit the motorway, follow the signs for The North (these actually exist in the UK), and keep going. 2 hrs from London or Edinburgh on the train, about 1 hr to Manchester, but that's the boring stuff

But why would you need to travel when York has so much to offer? 1. York Minster - one of Europe's biggest cathedrals and also one of its most beautiful. The Minster dominates the centre of York, you can't miss it and a tourist must see

2. The Shambles - York city centre is packed full of small little Medieval streets, but the most famous is The Shambles - the setting of Diagon Alley, everyone's favourite place to buy their wands, broomsticks, and potions. Busy by day, stunning by night

3. York City Walls - The walls have been around since Roman times in one shape or another, and are mostly intact. You can take a ~2 mile walk around them, giving stunning views of that pesky cathedral again

The gates in the walls are all called bars - Mickelgate Bar, Walmgate Bar, Monk Bar.... They sound unique but a nightmare when you're new to the city and trying to find your way round. Far too many bars

4. Quite literally - York supposedly has a bar or pub for every day of the year, ranging from upmarket and trendy winebars, through to old traditional cosy pubs. Coming here from Sweden, where a beer cost ~£7, I was amazed to be able to buy a pint at my local for £1.50!

And nearly as many breweries - with the pubs shut at the moment a lot of local businesses are really struggling, so big shout out to @AinstyAles @brewyorkbeer @TreboomBrewery and many others who you can order deliveries from. Highly recommended for anyone in the UK

4. Speaking of which, how about the UKs number 1 independent high street @bishyroadnet? Full of amazing cafes and restaurants, hardware shops, greengrocers, butchers. York has an amazing independent shop scene that makes the city feel so friendly and welcoming

5. York racecourse - home to some of the world's biggest races, and a great day out over the summer....

And the beautiful Knavesmire when the races aren't on. There are loads of green spaces in York, as well as a beautiful river running through the middle. Ever so slightly prone to flooding, but we'll keep that bit quiet, the city's residents have learnt to deal with it.

6. Rowntree Park is another crowd favourite - when I first moved here we lived just off the park, and had a quick google to see if it was safe. Apparently not. You run the risk of being attacked by the 100s of overly friendly geese, as bad as it gets in York

7. Rowntree Park is named after the Rowntrees factory as a memorial to its employees who died in WW1 - chocolate and sweet making has always been big in York, not only Rowntrees but also everyone's favourite Christmas gift, the Terry's chocolate orange

There are loads more great things about York - it's not just residents who think it's great, York is often voted the UKs best place to live! So next time your in the North of England, come and give us a visit. I'll buy you a pint. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/best-places-to-live-sunday-times-3qkwjnvrm#/