Cultural Extravaganza in York
October saw the return of our much-anticipated annual cultural expedition, this time, to the magnificent city of York.
First stop on the boys’ action-packed itinerary was Clifford’s Tower. This provided a fascinating insight into life in medieval York, where boys enjoyed following in the footsteps of William the Conqueror around the well-preserved complex. They were also able to climb up to the viewing gallery to really experience the ‘Eye of York’ and appreciate its fantastic skyline. After some time exploring the city in groups, our explorers were then treated to a brilliant tour of Viking Jorvik. As they travelled around Viking-Age city of York on the interactive ride they encountered Old-Norse-speaking citizens, saw inside their houses and back yards and experienced everyday life in Jorvik, complete with the smells! Following that, the boys took a walk through York to York Minster, which sits on the centre of a Roman Fortress, where its history was brought to life to top off a fantastic first day in the city.
The following day began with a drive over to Eden Camp, once a Prisoner of War Camp during the Second World War, where during their walking tour of the 29 different huts, that had once housed Italian Prisoners of War, they were educated by the extensive interactive displays telling the story of modern warfare, including a demonstration of the different weapons and tanks which captured the boys’ imagination. A change in activity and a chance for increased independence presented itself when the boys explored the Shambles, located within inside the city walls in the old city of York. The afternoon was also spent at York’s Chocolate Story as they were guided through the history of York’s most famous chocolate-making families, including Rowntree, and also created their own chocolate lollies which they unsurprisingly enjoyed sampling.
The final stop of the action-packed cultural extravaganza was to the National Railway Museum, where the boys toured the brilliantly interactive museum, learning more about the history of the railways, before discovering the many trains parked up in the museum. Cabins were recreated as they would have been in the many trains’ prime, and boys relished the chance to learn more about the Flying Scotsman and Mallard.
The boys upheld the Davenies Code throughout, conducting themselves well and making the most of the opportunities with which they were presented. We look forward to welcoming boys aboard on the next trip next October.
