Curious sights. Its not all about history.

Look all around, who knows what you'll you find.

While you can sit here and enjoy fine food and many types of real ale, all Yorkshire brewed here, don't forget to look up! The cows head is a reminder of the fact that this is a slaughter house attached to the many butcher shops along the shambles. When you enter, look up and you'll also see the meat hooks in the ceiling!

If you had a fire plaque in the 17th Century you were pretty safe, however, if your neighbour didn't, and their house set on fire, no one would come to their aid, only yours.

Many a gentleman and lady would have been led home by a young lad at night holding a lit torch. This cone shaped object is where the light was extinguished.

This chap sits above a former printers. In the early days a printing apprentice was known as a printers devil, they did all the menial tasks. Mark Twain and Benjamin Franklin where both Printers devils.

As you come up the southern route into the City of York you'll pass this platform with steps leading to an open field. It makes no sense! However should you have passed anytime between the 12th and 19th Century you would have seen the Three Legged mare, a tripod like structure used to hang villains.

Hundreds of people walk over this every day. But what you may not realise is that the black stone lines the route of the brick wall of the Roman Fort, Eboracum. The wall still lies beneath it to this day!

A wooden swinging hatch in the defensive walls of an abbey. The Archers would lift the hatch to fire their arrows and then allow the hatch to swing back in place to prevent any shots being returned. The holes either side of the hatch where for scaffolding used during the walls construction.

Where ever you go, there is always something unique to see, and this what we offer at British Routes Holidays, the History, the quirky, the hidden.