‘Villainous York’ – Dark Tourism holiday break introduced…
York’s Newington Hotel has announced a new ‘dark tourism’ package that demonstrates the darker side of York’s history.
‘Villainous York’ includes options to visit the City during the Autumn and Winter months and for guests to ‘endure’ visits to sites where some of the most ghastly and treacherous things took place. Guests will also be treated to historic tales of the villains of the City in past times starting with its most infamous highwayman Dick Turpin whose grave is at St George’s cemetery in the heart of the city and where, just a few hundred yards from the hotel at the ‘Tyburn’ on the Knavesmire he was hanged, as were many other ‘do-badders’.
Visitors will see the Tyburn, Turpin’s grave, York Dungeons and Micklegate Bar – where the decapitated heads of enemies of the city were placed to warn others what would happen if they contravened the local laws.
“York’s past is so often seen in a benign way and whilst there is a fantastic amount to see during the day including Roman, Viking, Medieval and industrial heritage, all of these periods had their dark side. We think it is a good idea to enlighten visitors about York’s more ghoulish past too.†comments hotel owner Mike Harrison.
Options include a Ghost Walk, a supervised visit to the City’s original cells, which are now open to the public at York’s Castle Museum as York Castle Museum Prison.
Adds Harrison: “Most people would acknowledge that it is negative news stories that make the headlines and this break will spill the bad news of yesteryear in a fascinating collection of sites and sightings in the City.
It should provide a welcome escape this winter from the bad news of todayâ€
For more information please contact:
Mike Harrison
The Newington Hotel
147 Mount Vale
York
YO24 1DJ
Tel: (01904) 625 173
Email: [email protected]
Notes to Editors: The Newington Hotel is adjacent to York’s Knavesmire Racecourse near the ‘Tyburn’ where hangings were held before race meetings in past times “in order to get a good crowd for racesâ€.
The hotel has 44 rooms, restaurant, swimming pool and free parking.
