In an exclusive account, a senior travel journalist has revealed why a highly anticipated visit to one of England's most celebrated cities turned into a profound letdown.
A Day in the 'Best City' That Fell Short
Amy Jones, a Senior Travel Journalist, embarked on a day trip to the historic city of York in September, armed with high expectations fuelled by its glowing reputation. The city, located in North Yorkshire, was crowned the best city in England to visit by Condé Nast Traveller and topped the UK for quality of life in the 2025 Good Growth for Cities Index. It was also listed among the country's best Christmas market destinations and hailed as one of the happiest places to live by The Guardian.
Despite these accolades, Jones's experience was one of distinct disappointment. "I was filled with anticipation and excitement," she wrote, but the reality of exploring the famed walled city left her feeling decidedly unimpressed and with no desire to return soon.
Charm Promised, Charm Missing
The journalist's first surprise was the city's compact size. She managed to wander its cobbled streets and high streets extensively, even venturing off the beaten track, but found the exploration concluded abruptly before lunch. The city's bounds, she noted, came to a sudden end, limiting the sense of discovery.
A major letdown was the iconic Shambles Market in the city centre, which felt unoriginal and akin to many other UK markets. The adjacent Shambles area, famous for its crooked medieval buildings that inspired Harry Potter's Diagon Alley, was overrun. "The experience was ruined by throngs of tourists grabbing a selfie," Jones reported, describing queues for Potter-themed shops that forced a swift exit.
Beauty Without a Beating Heart
While Jones acknowledged York's undeniable beauty—its Gothic and medieval architecture, ancient city walls, York Minster Cathedral, and Clifford's Tower—she argued it lacked a vital, vibrant character. Comparing it to other popular UK destinations, she found it wanting.
"In Bath, you're treated to the bustling sound of performers and live music... while Cambridge offers punting on the River Cam and a city brimming with shops and eateries," she explained. York, by contrast, offered history and timber-framed buildings but, in her view, little more. She concluded that a single day was sufficient to uncover all it had to offer beyond its historic facade.
The review presents a stark counter-narrative to York's celebrated status, suggesting that for some visitors, tourist crowds and a lack of contemporary energy can overshadow even the most picturesque of settings.
