While you may be familiar with York’s Roman origins, there are some unusual facts you may not realise that make the city where we work quite unique!

So, here are the the most amazing facts we could find about the city of York. If you know of any more, please come visit us at our offices and tell us in person. We might add yours to our list!

1) York has a dark past

York has history of ghosts, torture, and gore. In fact, York has been declared the most haunted city in Europe. It has hundreds of hauntings, and its bloody history includes violent conquests by the Normans and Vikings.

2) A pub for every day of the year

York prides itself on having over 365 pubs – so you can visit a different one every day of the year! Not that we recommend you do this, mind. If you do though, you'll be sure bump into our Managing Director Donald Inglis at some point, so say hi. 

3) The home of Guy Fawkes

Guy Fawkes, who is famous for trying to blow up the Houses of Parliament, was born in York in 1605. Just metres from York Minster is The Guy Fawkes Inn and the birth place of the man who gave us Bonfire Night.

4) Miles of city walls

York has more miles of intact wall than any other city in England. At 2.1 miles long, it should take you around two hours to walk the whole way around. They offer the best way to explore the city by foot, so be sure to wear your comfy shoes next time you visit.

5) Bond... James Bond

Our connection to famous figures does not stop at Guy Fawkes. Dame Judi Dench was also born in York. She is loved so much that there is even a stretch of path by the river named after her – Dame Judi Dench Walk.

6) Diagon Alley

Believe it or not, York has connections to Harry Potter. Diagon Alley is based on a beautiful-cobbled street, The Shambles, which houses a shop named “The Shop That Can’t be Named.” Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was actually filmed on location at the Steam Railway in North Yorkshire.

7) A castle with a famous builder

York Castle was built in 1068 by William the Conqueror to control northern England. By the end of the 14th century, York Castle was primarily used as a prison, holding up to 310 prisoners in its towers at any given time.

8) A city of cats

Statues of cats have been placed on buildings in York for around two centuries, although some statues are thought to date from medieval times. The original cat statues were placed on buildings to frighten away rats and mice which carried deadly plagues and illness.

9) York is a Viking city

Dominated by Norse warriors, York was known as Jórvík, and now houses the Jorvik Viking Centre, which shows visitors what it was like here in the year 960.

10) Home to the Yorkshire Pudding

The first recorded Yorkshire pudding recipe appeared in a book called The Whole Duty of a Woman in 1737 and was listed as "A Dripping Pudding." The “Yorkshire” prefix was first used in the 1747 publication, The Art of Cookery Made Plain and Simple, by Hannah Glasse. So come to this city on a Sunday, and enjoy a roast with a double helping of Yorkshire pudding!

So, there you have it - 10 facts about the city of York! How many of these did you already know?