Why Most Travel Guidebooks and Online Guides Are a Bit Rubbish – and What I Did to Make Sure My One About York Isn’t
A York Travel Guide with a difference - at least I hope so....
Just over six months ago, I decided it was time to put another tick on my “things I want to get done in life” list. The next one up? Write a book. To achieve the tick, I decided to write one about York. There were three reasons for this:
Reason 1 – They say, “Write about what you know” – well, I know about York because:
I have now lived here for seven years, so I think I can call myself a local.
For most of those seven years, my family and I have spent our weekends doing York-related stuff – from minsters to mini-golf and ghost walks to gallery visits.
For six of the seven years, I have been creating and running House of York Holiday Homes, a collection of three holiday homes in the centre of York.
My wife and I like to get out once a week to a new restaurant or bar in York – writing this book made it tax-deductible!
Reason 2 – Guests Always Ask Us About York
All our holiday home guests ask us for local knowledge about what to see, do, and where to eat and drink, so I figured I’d write it all down – look at me, multi-tasking.
Reason 3 – See the Title of This Article
There really aren’t any very good travel guides or online guides about York.
So, I spent six months researching, writing, and taking photos until I had a book that I now keep up to date every few weeks – and I think it’s really rather good.
York Guides: Their Problems & My Rather Good Solutions in York Local Knowledge: Must-Do Top Tens & the Vouchers to Get Them for Less
Problem: Lots of General Knowledge, but Not a Lot of Local Knowledge
Every guide I could find wasn’t written by someone who actually lived in York or had any real day-to-day knowledge of the city. That’s a problem because guests ask us all kinds of things – from the best dog walks to where they can get a gluten-free Chinese takeaway or the best family-friendly, reasonably priced Italian restaurant for a big group.
Think of it this way. If I dropped round your house for a cuppa and asked where the best local takeaway was, I bet you could tell me your favourite place and their best dish – as well as somewhere definitely to avoid because it was in the local paper after a food inspector found an Alsatian in the freezer. That’s local knowledge. So, in my guide, we continually add our own local knowledge, insights from people we know, and even tips shared by guests. Because it’s digital, I can update it in five minutes, keeping it current.
Problem: It’s Just a List of the Same Stuff
All the guidebooks have the same content, and the online ones are even worse – just long lists of everything, sometimes supported by dubious reviews.
Solution: Our guide doesn’t give you everything. Instead, we provide a simple selection of our Top 10s for things to see, do, eat, and drink. These are the places we go to again and again (some daily) because they never disappoint. They’re also all independent, reasonably priced Yorkshire businesses that work hard to make themselves great – and to make York great.
On top of that, we’ve compiled all the questions our holiday home guests ask and put them in a dedicated section – from the pubs with the best beer to the spot with the best ice cream.
Problem: It’s Out of Date
Most guidebooks are not up to date. York is a constantly changing city.
Ah, but you can go online, I hear you say. Well, I just looked at a very famous online guide, and I spotted three restaurants that no longer exist. One closed two years ago and was replaced by another restaurant – which is also now closed.
Solution: It may sound a bit low-tech, but I walk my dog around York every day and read the local papers, so I actually know when places shut down and when new ones open.
Problem: It’s Not Very Entertaining – and There Aren’t Many Pictures
I’m sorry to say that most guidebook writers are not Bill Bryson. I’m not either, but I’ve done my best to make my guide funny. There aren’t many guidebooks that would describe Barley Hall as the Chicken and Mushroom Pot Noodle of museums – quick, fun, should not be done too often, and goes nicely with buttered white bread.
I’m also not David Bailey, but every entry has multiple photos taken by yours truly – because, as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.
Problem: It’s Not Focused on Local, Independent Yorkshire Businesses
I think you already know what a Big Mac tastes like or what a Holiday Inn looks like inside, so there’s no need to talk about chain stores and international businesses. So, I haven’t.
Problem: It’s How Much?!
Most people visit York for a few days, and many guidebooks cost over a tenner. Mine? Free – thanks to Google Play Store and Apple iBook Store. I’m happy to make my money from my three holiday homes – you’re welcome!
Problem: Where Are the Links to Discounts and Vouchers?
I’ve never come across a guidebook that tells you where to get vouchers and discounts.
Solution: My guide has a whole section dedicated to them – from local radio stations to local York websites that offer great, ever-changing deals.
Anyway, as they say, the proof is in the pudding, so go and download a copy. It’s easy to find – just search online for:
York Local Knowledge: Must-Do Top Tens & the Vouchers to Get Them for Less by Alistair Lamont
Or…
Visit our home page for download links here - https://www.houseofyork.org/york-local-knowledge
Visit Apple iBooks here - https://books.apple.com/gb/book/york-local-knowledge-must-do-top-tens-the-vouchers-to/id6738009927
Visit - Google Books here - https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=39wwEQAAQBAJ
Want to hear a great podcast about York?
A fab podcast for tourists and locals looking to find out more about York History, must do York Top 10's and money saving tips to do it all for less.
Just search your podcast app for York Must Do Top 10s or click on this link for the show on apple podcast here
Want to read more for your next visit to York?
Then download a free copy of our book York Local Knowledge Must-do Top Tens & the vouchers to get them for less where you will discover the historic UK city of York like a local with tips, top tens, and guidance on where to find the best discounts and vouchers, so you can experience it all without breaking the bank!
You can download it for free from the Apple iBooks Store here
You can download it for free from the Google Play Books Store here
This isn’t your average guidebook—it’s a laugh-out-loud, down-to-earth companion, packed with top-ten lists covering everything from essential attractions and hidden gems to entertainment, dining spots, walks, tours, festivals, and shopping, all enriched with a local’s insider knowledge.
With insights, amusing anecdotes, and a sprinkling of puns and dad jokes, Alistair’s love letter to York will help you see the city in a whole new way. Grab a copy and start planning the York adventure you didn’t know you were missing!
With over 240 pages, this guide is ideal for families and groups of friends planning a trip to York and includes:
Up-to-date information on everything in the ever-changing city of York—this is the 2025 edition.
Top ten lists of York’s best tourist attractions, entertainment spots, food and drink, walks, tours, festivals, and independent shops.
Beautiful photography accompanying every recommendation.
Answers to visitors’ top questions, from “Where’s the best place for ice cream?” to “Where can I find a great takeaway curry?”
Recommendations on where locals go for up-to-date information about York.
The best places to stay, from five-star hotels to holiday homes and houseboats.
Details on where to find discounts and vouchers for York restaurants, attractions, and experiences.
Book one of our Holiday Homes for your next trip to York
Are you looking for a great place to stay for your next trip to York. All 3 of our holiday homes are next door to each other which means you can hire them individually for up to 6 people or together for up to 12 (107 & 109 together) or even 18 people (Spencer House & 107 & 109 together).
To check availability and book just visit www.houseofyork.org
We pride ourselves on being couples and family friendly and we try to take any of the stress out of your stay so you can focus on enjoying yourselves and magnificent York.