York - help!

Bennifred

I'm hoping a local might be able to help me out with this one.......

York St. John University are having an open day on Weds 22nd August which my DS2 wants to visit. Sure, I said, I'll drive you up the day before (we're in West Oxfordshire), we'll stay over,have a meal, bit of mother/son time:p , do the open day thing, drive home.

Problem! Apparently it is the Ebor Races that week so accommodation is either three-nights minimum or twice the usual rate! I was hoping to keep it under £100 for a twin room, but not having much luck so far.

Does anyone have any inside knowledge of where I could try, please? I've been through all the usual search sites, looked at the chains, etc, the only thing I've come up with is a room at the Novotel which is £150 rather than the usual £75!:eek: Any help gratefully received!

Edit: Change of date to Friday 17th August for accommodation - see Post 8!

David_B_2

Does it have to be at Hotel?

There are plenty of B&B's in York. I know last week the ones on Fulford road (that I drive past) did have vacancies, not sure this week as I can't remember seeing.

Worth a try.

Do a search on yellow pages http://www.yell.com/ucs/UcsSearchAction.do?scrambleSeed=23939499&keywords=B%26B&companyName=&location=york&search=SEARCH&M=0

If that link did not work I just put 'B&B' and 'York' in search areas.

Good look

PS: I don't use them so can't recommend any, sorry.

EDIT: Sorry, I see you did not mention hotel's so sorry again if you have already tried B&B's, I read to quick.

Bennifred

Thanks for that, David!
No, it doesn't have to be hotel - I've been looking at guest houses, b&bs, anything really! I was hoping to get somewhere within easy reach of the Uni so I could leave the car, but it looks as though I may have to look further afield and just do a short drive on the day.
Anyone got any views on the best side of the city to be looking? Or even a different place altogether but not too far from York?

dzug

As it's vacation time, the University may offer cheapish accommodation - google for their site and hunt around.

Otherwise try staying away from York and drive in for the day. 40 miles or so might see you clear of the inflated prices.

Bennifred

dzug wrote: »

As it's vacation time, the University may offer cheapish accommodation - google for their site and hunt around.

Great idea - I'll have a look at that!

Otherwise try staying away from York and drive in for the day. 40 miles or so might see you clear of the inflated prices.

Haha! We cross-posted - great minds think alike! Hmm, 40 miles - this is going to test my mapreading:rolleyes:
Thanks for taking the time to reply.

DaveHemmerman

There are quite a few hotels in Hull which can be quite cheap its only 35 miles or so takes 50 mins and wont be anywhere as busy as York, plus its just one road all the way there (A1079). Plus if you get here early the day before you can work round the city and take in the views around the marina.

Hope you get something sorted. If you want hotel etc try heading towards Hull as i would expect Wetherby/Leeds/Tadcaster to be as busy as York.

Good Luck let us know what you decide.

Regards

Dave

Bennifred

Thank you!
I'm sure I'll get something sorted eventually, I just need to do a bit more digging about - I will certainly let you know what!
Am thinking I can't be the only one in this position.......am also thinking why did they choose that particular date:rolleyes: to invite people to visit the Uni?! Lol!

Bennifred

OK - change of plan.
Different Open Day (still York St. John)- this one on the Saturday 18th August, should be easier to find any/more reasonably priced accommodation he night before then (I hope!). I phoned the Uni about the original date and they said that they have had problems in previous years with accommodation in Ebor Races week, but were stuck with their dates because of results days/clearing etc..No problem for us to change dates with them - I'll just start looking for a room on the Friday 17th August now!
Thank you to everyone for the suggestions so far - will let you know the outcome of the search.

Nile

Hello Bennifred

I've stayed at a 'Farm Stay' bed & breakfast and can recommend it.;)

The website is www.farmstayuk.co.uk

I've found two properties for you, both are within a short distance of York.

The first (with a 4 diamond/Silver rating) is at High Catton, near Stamford Bridge.

The second (with a 3 diamond rating) is a bit further along the A1079 at Wilberfoss.

From both properties, I would estimate you'd be less than 15 minutes drive away from the University.;)

Regards

Nile

andyrules

Hi Bennifred
I hate the way prices get hiked up during events. We stayed during the last big race meeting and like you found everywhere either booked up or expensive.

We ended up staying in one of the chains (Travelodge/Premier) out on the A64 towards Tadcaster. It wasn't too far, just a short car journey. Just had a quick look, Premier seem to be booked, but the Travelodge Tadcaster has room at £55 (no special deals), also the one in central York has a room at £75. (not sure about parking with that one)

Have a fab time, what is he studying? just me being nosy, my DS is looking this year as well!

Bennifred

Hi Nile! Thank you for those links - they both look good, may well follow those up depending......I would still really prefer to get somewhere in central York for ease of looking around the city in the evening we arrive as well as on the day at the Uni, but I'm probably being a bit hopeful there!

Hi andyrules! Thank you for your help, too! I looked at the Travelodge site and it says you can cancel right up to the day of stay on a flexible booking so I've booked at the central York one whilst I see if I can get something a bit nicer or more convenient - there isn't any parking there, but if it comes down to it at least we've got somewhere to sleep! DS2 is looking at Film Production, which appears not to be offered by many places (as opposed to Film Studies which you seem to be able to study just about everywhere!) He won't be going until 2008 - just finished Yr12 - but wants to look at various places before he applies this autumn. What is your DS looking at?