Bar Hopping with the Kids

Forgive me if you know this already, but I can't be sure everyone's up to speed, so here's the history lesson.

York, England is a walled city.  It has, I believe, the most complete set of city walls of any city in the United Kingdom.  It is, I know, the most fascinating city to visit in the United Kingdom.

Well, okay, that might be a debatable point, but please consider a visit the next time you're over here.

In York, a street is called a gate.  Coppergate, Walmgate, Stonegate, Whipmawhopmagate (not a joke, that's a real street that might've once been Whitnourwhatnourgate).

What I would call a gate, is called a Bar.  This is Mickelgate Bar.  Yep, you can drive your Minicooper right through it.

The bars are extensions of the wall--which is terrific to walk on when it's sunny.

Inside Mickelgate Bar is a tiny museum with recreated artifacts.  Everything is a reproduction, so the kids can touch, move and play with the whole place.  We spent about 90 minutes in there--the kids playing with costumes, plastic food and jailor's props (here's Olivia trying to look stern after she clapped me in irons) while I read about and watched a great video on the Wars of the Roses.

Mickelgate Bar is a tiny site.  I wouldn't have visited it if I hadn't bought a combination pass for four sites.  I'm cheap, so I'm damned sure going to see everything I've paid for to make the most of the discounts offered.  I'm so happy I went.  The kids had fun and I learned a lot.  It was great to periodically eavesdrop on their Medieval roleplaying.  There seems to be a lot of horse training involved.