Wednesday 20 July 2011

The best views of historic York highlighted at Clifford's Tower

The best uninterrupted views over the city of York are being highlighted by English Heritage this summer, as it shows a new panoramic image of the view from Clifford’s Tower and launches free downloadable podcasts to help visitors put York’s roofline into its historical context.

The podcasts and image will be available on a new website, www.bestviewsofyork.org.uk, which positions Clifford’s Tower as the starting point for any visit to the city, or indeed, a great way for residents to look out over the city’s rooftops at some of the landmarks around York.

Recorded by TV historian and author, Julian Humphrys, the podcasts aim to give visitors not only an audio explanation of the buildings you can see around the city, but also set Clifford’s Tower in its historical setting, as a lookout point, prison and weapons store during its colourful 900 year history. Julian, who is a great fan of York, having visited many times to film programmes about its heritage, takes listeners on a tour of the city skyline from his favourite vantage point.

“York is a fantastically compact city, and with Clifford’s Tower at the very heart of it, visitors here can enjoy unrivalled views over the city to help them better understand York’s fascinating story, from the gothic splendour of York Minster to the iconic Terry’s building that housed the city’s chocolate heart!” explains English Heritage’s marketing manager, Caroline Sinclair.

“From the wall walk, we can also help visitors understand how the view would have been different when the tower was in use – for example, only real history buffs would know that the whole of the Foss Islands area would have been under water when York was home to the king’s official fishponds, providing freshwater fish for the royal table.”

The podcasts will be available for download before people visit, or alternatively, those with smartphones can download the podcasts to enjoy as they are on the wall walk to share Julian Humphrys’ historic view on the city. There are four podcasts in total, each intended to be listened to a different vantage points along Clifford’s Tower’s wall walk.

English Heritage has also produced a leaflet for visitors incorporating the panoramic photo, with key buildings and sites highlighted.

“For many York residents, they may have visited Clifford’s Tower as a child on a school visit, but haven’t been back in recent years. We’d urge them to come back for a look, the view is constantly changing as buildings go up and come down throughout the city.”

Clifford’s Tower is open daily throughout the summer from 10.00am to 6.00pm daily. Admission prices are £3.90 for adults, £3.50 for concessions and just £2.30 for children, or £10.10 for a family ticket (two adults and up to three children). English Heritage members get in free.

Over the school summer holiday, Clifford’s Tower is also hosting Time Travellers Go.... Medieval, an opportunity for children to dress up in the clothing of a medieval king or queen and have their picture taken on a real throne!

For more information, please call Clifford’s Tower on 01904 646940 or visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/cliffords


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