Covid-19 restrictions created a real urge for outdoor adventure after months on end of being locked indoors.
While essential online grocery shopping -once considered an exciting queue dodging experience-became a repetitive and boring chore, DIY home decor lost its novelty within days, creating a bundle of unfinished tasks. And an overindulgence on Netflix kept our household entertained for only a mere week or so.
With the comfy corners of our home gradually diminishing, they became not so comfortable after all. Confined by the same four taupe-coloured walls -day in, day out. The pandemic had finally taken its toll.
Just like so many other families across the country, we were so desperate for a change of scenery, a spring back into the big wide world and for a return to some type of normality-but of course, that was a strict no-no!
The governments regular COBRA meetings felt like a renewed prison sentence and an ongoing obstruction to our freedom to live and mobilise in the ways we once did.
Not being allowed to visit loved ones was the hardest announcement to accept for many of us, particularly for those of us with elderly and vulnerable parents to care for. And then what followed was the advice against all but essential travel, with airports excessively restricting flights to curtail the spread of Covid-19.
Hope remained in the constant checking of the government website for foreign travel guidance and updates detailing when we would be able to board a plane and fly again. But daily revelations of yet another country added to the quarantine list and COVID spikes in boom holiday destinations were enough to put our family off flying for the remainder of 2020.
Therefore, a staycation felt like our only option and while holidaying at home also carried its burden due to COVID-19 restrictions, we were nevertheless overjoyed and keen for an adventure.
But, as a young Black family and In light of the Black Lives Matter movement, that recently shook the world following the killing of a Black man by a white police officer in the US, we were mindful about venturing into a majority white area and unknown territory that could potentially put us at a greater risk of being racially abused and/or discriminated against.
We were anxious of being stopped, searched or accosted by the police for no apparent reason other than for the colour of our skin. However, our desire to venture beyond the realms of our backyard was at its peak, and our search for the perfect staycation began.
As Covid-restrictions began to ease, fully booked hotels in large cities such as Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool, were clear indications of just how eager people were for a break.
But our luck struck when we stumbled upon a cosy looking hotel on trip advisor located in the city of York, called Roomzzz. The reviews were impressive and there was everything we required in the space of a one-bedroom apartment with a fully equipped kitchen.
Despite being initially concerned about our presence in York as a Black family during a highly polarised and volatile time globally, thorough research led us to believe that York would be a great staycation destination after all- with a lot to do and without spending a great deal of money too.
We were also keen and determined to delve into the cities rich and diverse cultural history, yes York apparently has one! so our break was finalised, a one-week staycation in York, a city founded by the Romans in 71 AD.
We had anticipated a three-to-four-hour drive from our London home, with several service station stops along the way- much needed when travelling with children. However, we only made one stop and reached our destination in just under four hours.
Exiting the A1 and entering the city of York appeared pleasant. The rain eased off and the sun shone bright. The streets were clean and the buildings were well maintained.
When opening the car window for a breath of fresh air, the environment felt less polluted than London. Open fields of fresh trimmed grass surrounded many of the gated brick terraced houses and the narrow pavements lined with local owned businesses from beauty parlours to baristas, portrayed a real sense of community.
Arriving at our ‘luxury apartment’ was very exciting. We had made a great choice choosing Rooomzz as a staycation pad.
The smart studio apartment was well ventilated, combined with a stylish hotel room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom, a full kitchenette, sofa and workspace, just perfect for our five-night stay! It was one of the best apartments I had stayed in the UK. Not only were the rooms good value for money, but they were also first class. We had paid a small fee for a few extras and for an upgrade and we certainly were not disappointed. Everything was so fresh and clean having been painstakingly Covid sanitised.
The location was ideal, across a leafy street from the River Ouse, peaceful and away from the noise of nightclubs with the city centre in proximity. It was a nine-minute walk to Clifford’s Tower, 10 minutes from the Grand Opera house and with York train station just being a mile away, there was no need for a taxi. I highly recommend this hotel for anyone wanting to experience the best of York!
Unfortunately, that feeling of ease and comfort slowly dwindled when we took charge to explore the outdoors. In the city centre we appeared to be the only Black family in sight. According to the Office of National Statistics, 92.8% of people in York identified their ethnic group as white in 2021.
However, it is historically recorded that York boasted the presence of Black people since the Roman times when priest, soldiers, merchants, and other people of African descent lived and worked in Eboracum-present day York. For example, the Ivory Bangle Lady, a skeleton discovered in York in 1901 is proof that people of colour have a long history in York. But does there remain a healthy Black presence in York today? I wondered.
I honestly felt that we stuck out like sore thumbs! The occasional intense staring and stiff award smiles were uncomfortable but not surprising. We saw very few Black people during our stay in York, only one or two and our own reflections in the windows of many shops that stood empty and stamped with closed down!
While we tried our best to overlook the hostility, it was difficult to ignore how others were acting in our presence.
further annoyance became apparent after a short queue outside a cobbled street sweet shop. adhering to the shops social distancing request we entered a sweet shop only to face unpleasant staff not responding to us greeting them but looking at us suspiciously. Had it not been for my sweet tooth daughter wanting a treat, I would have walked straight back out. On the flip side, the cute, cobbled street was an ideal location for a wonderful family friendly photograph. It’s probably best to visit this area in the morning as the narrow streets get very crowded by midday.
Feeling slightly exhausted from our new unpleasant cultural experience for the day, we didn’t feel comfortable eating out in case we were further looked at strangely and treated like aliens, so we decided to head back to our apartment and rest before our evening adventure, but then we came across Clifford’s Tower and decided to chill out in the open air for some much needed exercise and a little fun play around.
It was fascinating to see the remains of the iconic York Castle. This is a tourist hotspot situated on top of a hill which we had fun in climbing and taking in the wonderful view from the top. To find out more about Clifford’s Tower click here.
Exploring Yorks spooky side
There are numerous ghosts walks every evening across the city of York. We opted for Terror-Trails, which took us on a walking experience of the historical locations. It sets the scene perfectly for the evening as it starts off at the Golden Fleece, the oldest and most haunted pub in York.
It was a lovely evening adventure exploring the city. Our tour guide Mark was a friendly funny guy, and enthusiastic about York’s cruel tales of horror and torture which he claimed remained beneath much of the city’s pavements. The tour cost £10 per person and lasted for 45minutes. This was one of my favourite experiences! And believe it or not we were feeling more comfortable and at ease with our surroundings.
Making and tasting Chocolate
The chocolate factory tour was a fantastic interactive family experience making and tasting chocolate. It was an entertaining and informative guided tour through the history of York’s most famous chocolate-making families and their finest creations. There’s a cute gift shop too, and if you want to indulge in chocolate to your heart’s content there’s so much for you to choose from.
Set sail on city cruise
Our final day was enthused by an incredible cruise along the River Ouse, it was worth the money. We went for a daytime tour, and it was great. Again, our guide shared some interesting historical facts about what we could see and the history of York. He had us laughing out loud with his jokes and stories and made the experience all the merrier.
There is plenty to do and see in York and despite feeling uncomfortable and unwelcome at times we had a wonderful and well needed break away.
Travelling Black is never going to be easy if you’re as culturally conscious as I am about your surroundings and loving the skin you are in. I love to feel connected to the places I visit whether this is in the people I see, the food I eat or the cultural history I explore. I didn’t personally feel connected to York as a young Black woman, Nevertheless, I highly recommend a staycation in York if you’re looking for something different and if you’re someone who simply appreciates and values the preservation of history!
Black History in York
I’ve written a separate article exploring Black History in York. Click here to read more…