What’s on in York in 2017

The Grange Hotel: refurbished and ready to welcome guests for York’s many exciting new events in 2017

7 February 2017

The Grange Hotel in York is pleased to announce that its extensive two-year refurbishment programme is nearing completion. The Grade II-listed hotel is now ready to welcome guests who’d like to enjoy the host of exciting new events in the city this year.

The refurbishment has seen the addition of five ground-floor bedrooms, the development of the hotel’s vaulted cellars into The Ivy Brasserie and the installation of lifts to all floors. The final phase, a renovation of the first-floor Library and Drawing Room, is now underway and scheduled for completion in March.

SIX GREAT NEW REASONS TO VISIT YORK IN 2017:

Vikings in the City

2017 is the year of the Viking in York, with the long-awaited re-opening of the JORVIK Viking Centre in spring and the return of the Vale of York Viking Hoard to the Yorkshire Museum in summer.

JORVIK Viking Centre reopens (8 April):

After a multi-million pound refurbishment, York’s JORVIK Viking Centre, built on the site of a Viking village discovered during the 1970s, will bring Viking-age York vividly to life. Walk over a glass floor to see remains of Viking-age houses, travel in moving time capsules to the year AD960 and marvel at over 1,000 Viking objects on display in the galleries.

Major new Viking exhibition at the Yorkshire Museum (19 May-5 November)

Two of the most significant and internationally-recognised collections of Viking-Age treasure in Britain will be brought together for the first time in a major new exhibition at the Yorkshire Museum, in partnership with the British Museum, in May. ‘Viking: Rediscover the Legend’ features some of the most exciting Anglo-Saxon and Viking discoveries and explores how the Vikings transformed life in Britain.

York – The home of British chocolate

York’s chocolate-making history dates back almost 300 years and, at its peak, over 14,000 people were employed in the city’s famous chocolate factories. Some of the world’s best-known names in chocolate came from York – KitKat, Smarties and Aero were all born in the city.

250 years of Terry’s Chocolate

Founded in York in 1767, Terry’s Chocolate, one of history’s most celebrated confectioners, celebrates its 250^th anniversary this year. The iconic Terry’s Chocolate Orange was created in York at the Art Deco-style factory The Chocolate Works in 1932. Delve into its chocolate heritage at special exhibitions at York Chocolate Story, York Castle Museum and Goddards.

Chocolate: York’s Sweet Past at York Castle Museum (from 1 April)

Discover York’s Sweet Past with a chocolatey tour of sweets galore. See original advertisements, packaging and more alongside the stories of those who took York’s life-long love of confectionery to the world in a family-friendly interactive tour. Entrance costs £10 per adult and is free for children under 16 years old.

Culture

York International Shakespeare Festival (1-31 May)

A major new cultural venture for York, with performances on the streets, in churches and in theatres, the York International Shakespeare Festival launches the first of its annual Spring programmes to include productions by major established companies alongside experimental new work.

Mansion House re-opening (early summer 2017)

Scheduled to re-open in early summer 2017 after a year-long restoration project, Mansion House in heart of the historic city centre will display even more civic treasures with an exhibition of the civic gold and silver collection, a Georgian kitchen and new virtual tours.

THE GRANGE HOTEL EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:

NEW: Gin Tasting Masterclass with Afternoon Tea (17 February, 4, 10 & 24 March, 28 April, 5 & 20 May and 16 June)

A two-part experience pairing two of life’s simple joys: the afternoon begins with a masterclass and tasting from local gin experts, Still & Heart. Gin cocktail in hand, be guided through a hand-picked selection of different gins, garnishes and mixers. Learn about Britain’s complicated relationship with the famous juniper-infused spirit and experiment with up to four different gins before ending the masterclass with a large G&T of your choice. Afternoon tea follows, with both savoury and sweet options galore! Priced at £37.50 per person.

Jazz Nights (17 February, 17 March, 21 April, 26 May and 23 June)

Soul and Jazz music nights take place in The Ivy Brasserie with Jazz Duo the Croft & Mullen Band on board. Talented singer Rachel Croft is accompanied by jazz pianist Karl Mullen with songs from the Great American Songbook, jazz and boogie-woogie. The events are free but bookings are highly recommended if visitors also wish to dine.

Lead-in price: A one-night stay at The Grange Hotel costs from £99 per room (two sharing), including full English breakfast.

For more information, or to book, call The Grange Hotel on 01904 644 744 (www.grangehotel.co.uk). For more information on York see the Visit York Tourist Information Website.