England Guide
Yorkshire
Stonegate
Stonegate is as ancient as the city itself: it was originally the Via Praetoria of Roman York, and is now paved with thick flags of York stone, which were once carried along here to build the Minster, hence the street name. The Tudor buildings retain their considerable charm – Ye Olde Starre at no. 40, one of York's original inns, is on every tourist itinerary (you can't miss the sign straddling the street). Step through an alley known as Coffee Yard (by the Olde Starre) to find Barley Hall (Tues– Sun 10am/noon–4pm; £3.50, 
www.barleyhall.org.uk ), a fine restoration of a late-medieval townhouse where you can learn about fifteenth-century life by touching the exhibits, playing period games and trying on costumes.