Looking forward to life as a #hometourist in York

Returning to York after twelve years in “that” big, bad London has been an exciting, inspirational and often exhilarating experience. Small worries that I might get bored (“What, no Tate? No Deliverance to bring a home-cooked dinner to my door? No Vietnamese for lunch), or miss the pace and diversity and have gone completely unfounded. There is so much on my doorstep waiting to be discovered.

Counting back just eighteen months and I was blissfully living what now seems to be a self-indulgent life in Hackney; working hard but enjoying long weekends hanging out on the South Bank, or Brick Lane, taking in pop-up events, art shows, markets and the newest restaurants. Fast-forward to 2011 and I’ve picked up a husband, a teenage stepson (we both loathe that word) and a beautiful baby daughter and weekends are spent doing laundry, changing nappies and feeding a growing household of family and visitors.

I am loving being ‘home’. Yorkshire always was ‘home’ in my heart but now I am rediscovering it through a new pair of eyes. This coincides perfectly with the #hometourist theme which is about rediscovering your local area. So, where to start? I have a long list of places I want to rediscover. Some are loaded with nostalgia for my childhood, such as Sandsend, others are small gems like the Ryedale Folk Museum and some are cultural beacons; the National Media Museum and Yorkshire Sculpture Park.

But first, I think I should start local.We live opposite the Knavesmire in York – The South Bank area of the City. I read somewhere recently that it was dubbed ‘The Notting Hill of York’.  I think that’s going a bit far but it does have a great Bohemian vibe and an eclectic and liberal mix of locals. A combination of Victorian/Edwardian Terraces (many built for the Terry’s factory workers) and 60’s housing estates, it snugly nestles in between York Racecourse, The City Walls and the River Ouse.

Away from the crowds, there is lots to discover. At it’s heart is Bishopthorpe Road, a proper high street that boasts an incredible local cafe (the Pig & Pastry – the best breakfast in town), an award-winning hardware store, two bakers, a butchers, two greengrocers, a brilliant cycle shop and a delicatessen.  It boasts pretty allotments (my top pick for a walk to beat the crowds in the summer), a croquet club and two primary schools. It houses the now-redundant Terry’s chocolate factory, York Racecourse and Rowntree Park. All this is only a few minutes walk along the river from the more well-documented sights of York. I would urge visitors to include it in their trip to York and see a slice of local life.

There are a few things I try to bear in mind when I’m on a #hometourist trail:

• Look at both the secret and the more obvious landmarks, a combination of them paints a true picture.
• I try and look up as much as possible. It really does afford  small revelations – a forgotten gargoyle, new skyline or a quirky roof detail can all make you stop and marvel – and that’s what it’s all about.
• An open mind!

All pictures courtesy of Ruth Hoskins

I’m Ruth, I moved back to York, my home town last year. I have recently become a mum, got married and packed my job in at a London digital agency and have set up a fledgling business. I am also blogging about my rediscovery of York and Yorkshire at A Yorkshire Heart.