We were back in York again, only six months after our last visit, but Dad had promised Mum we would come back to do the historic York Cat Trail, described as “free fun for young and old”… Mum said Dad should be OK then as he is the oldest big kid she knows. The trail would guide us around York, taking in highlights like Clifford’s Tower, the Shambles, York Minister and of course, lots of cats!
But first some breakfast and no visit to York is complete without a trip to the famous Betty’s Café Tea Rooms. Now there is usually quite a queue to get a table, tourists head over in their droves, but it was still fairly early and we waited no more than a few minutes. Dad had the Swiss Breakfast Rösti, a classic Swiss rösti made with grated potato, gruyère cheese and cream, pan fried until golden and served with dry cured bacon, a plum tomato, mushrooms and a poached egg. Mum had the Florentine Breakfast Rösti, a classic Swiss rösti made with grated potato and cream, pan-fried until golden and served with wilted spinach leaves, poached eggs, a flat mushroom, cherry tomatoes and seasoned breadcrumb topping. Wow is all I can say, awesome food served in a relaxed and quintessentially British setting.
All fed and watered so time for the trail. The trail starts at The Cat Gallery shop on Low Petergate and takes an hour or so. The Cat Gallery is a family run, independent business with just the one shop in York. They offer an even wider selection of gifts for cats and cat lovers online, so please check them out.
Back to the trail and the first cat was commissioned by The Cat Gallery when they moved to the shop in 2010, but first a little about the history of cats in York, which dates back to 1920, when Sir Stephen Aitcheson placed two on a building that he owned in Low Ousegate. Some say he put them there to scare away rats and mice but he probably also thought they look attractive and bring good luck. Others followed his idea and the odd cat appeared around the city in the hope that good things would happen! It was in 1979 that a local architect called Tom Adams decided to resurrect the idea by placing them on buildings he designed. York based sculptor Jonathon Newdick was then commissioned to bring them to life.
Over the next few hours we walked all around York’s pretty city centre, finding all 19 cats on the main trail, but if you have a little longer, it is well worth adding cats 20-23 onto your itinerary. They will give you a stroll through the delightful Museum Gardens and a walk on the City walls with wonderful views of York Minster. Download the York Cat Trail guide here.
Before we went home there was just time for a quick pit stop at the Castle Tea Rooms for a cuppa and toasted crumpets for Dad and a cake for Mum. Very nice indeed!