Accessible York Minster
York Minster in York, England, is accessible and welcoming to all visitors.
York Minster is one of England's great cathedrals, and very accessible. It can be more relaxing than seeing Westminster Abbey in London.
In the City of York, in northern England, stands the magnificent York Minster. This cathedral is the Mother Church to the Diocese of York. It is a wonderful place to visit, and very accessible.
Like all great cathedrals, York Minster makes you marvel at how stone can be so heavy and yet appear weightless. The light filtering through the magnificent stained glass windows - some dating back to the 1200s - is truly evocative of the deep spirituality of the place. Every nook and cranny has some carving, some detail, something ancient and lasting. This tangible history is rarely found in North America, which is one reason it's so popular to visit great churches in Europe, even for travellers who never go to church at home.
The website of York Minster provides details of the accessibility features of the church, as well as a map you can roll over with your mouse and take a VIrtual Tour with photographs of some of the interior.
A serious effort has been made to make all visitors welcome and comfortable. The website has more information about access for those with reduced mobility, including wheelchairs, for persons with perceptual impairments, and for those with learning difficulties. Beyond the physical layout of the place, the interpretive material and signage is meant to be inclusive.
If you are interested in seeing at least one of England's awe-inspiring churches, this is an excellent choice. It's likely to be less crowded than the better-known Westminster Abbey in London, and while the two each have distinctive features and different histories, you are quite safe to choose York Minster if you're only planning to visit one cathedral.
And of course you have the added plus of exploring England beyond London.
All on-line references were current at the time this article was originally published on Suite101.com.
