I was so very impressed with this museum! It's not just a history of the castle and prison within…read morebut also a history of Britain through the times. Enjoy each "decade" of British history between window exhibits , a Victorian street you can walk through (and in and out of shops , sit in a school classroom and sit in a prison cell) and enjoy tons of interactive exhibits such as a room full of vintage arcades and a WWI trench. The prison is really neat - from getting a sense of how it was Luis to be locked in one of the cells to the ability to watch/listen holograms of famous prisoners - very interesting and a highlight in York!!

This place was full history and it is set to tell a different story in every room. It was a nice…read moreinteractive museum with plenty of staff giving speeches to inform the audience of different perspectives of history. It was a nice experience but it did smell a bit funky in there. Pro Tip, use your London Pass for "free" entrance and you will ultimately save yourself a few bucks.

I stumbled across Pop Boutique after visiting the haberdashery right next to it. I was surprised to…read moresay the least. Cute little woollen skirts and check shirts seemed to be the running trend. Along with lots of lurex and sparkles! A lot of the clothes here are recycled, hence their motto - recyclable fashion! The fitting rooms are plastered with cool band photos and pin ups advertising burlesque evenings. I bought a shirt and a skirt from here and can't wait to wear them. Different and affordable with lovely, polite staff. 5 stars from me!

Pop Boutique is one of that strange breed of shop that seems to market itself as a 'vintage' yet…read morestocks entirely new clothing, cut from new textiles in designs vaguely inspired by vintage clothing. There are a few genuine vintage finds in here, but they seem to be getting fewer and farther between as the stock leans more and more towards the new. Put aside any qualms over the label 'vintage', however, and you'll find that Pop Boutique is a fine addition to the pile of central Leeds clothes shops, and while its cute tea dresses and floral skirts may not be originals from the 1950s they're still different - and cheaper - than anything you might find on the high street.

Quite a small disney store compared to most but still stocks the more popular items. It's a shame…read morethat they do not offer click and collect, so you can order online and pick up instore, as this would make up for the lack of stock compared to the more bigger stores. Disney is always great for finding kids birthday/christmas presents, so even though they lack the ranges, I'm sure most people will find something to buy in here. The store can get a bit cramped at busy times but during the week it tends to be much quieter. There are always staff available to answer your question, should you have any, and they are very polite. Check out was quick and painless, accepting all the major credit cards. They do charge for carriers however or you can buy a reusable one for £2 (aren't all carriers reusable?!)

I do love the Disney Store and just can't resist going in. This is a pretty good branch, but is…read moreactually quite a small store and doesn't carry that big a stock range. Nevertheless, it's still one of my absolute favourite shops in York! They do carry a reasonable range of Disney toys, along with some clothing and accessories like bags and umbrellas. It's definitely worth a look, but it's disappointing that it isn't bigger.

One of my favourite shops in town. A good selection of fiction, non-fiction, cds, dvds and new…read moreOxfam fairtrade goods. Oxfam always do a great range of cards, diaries and stationery, and are bound to have some interesting new or secondhand gifts for Christmas.

I really enjoy the atmosphere of old bookshops. Having said that, I found the prices to be a bit…read moretoo high for many worn, secondhand books. Their overall selection is decent for their size, so it's worth popping into if you're in the area.

If you're in York, I recommend this shop if you're into journaling and crafting. Lots of blank…read moresketchbooks and journals, handmade paper and art supplies. I also picked up a calligraphy set as a gift. Such a lovely shop.

Ahh yes another one, if Pound World wasn't enough for you then there's Poundland! Woohoo! More…read morenon-pound busting budget basket fillers for your delectation. There are lots of various household items in here to be had, from de-icer for the car in those winter months, which seem to get longer and longer with each year. Really they do don't they?! Now Poundland is currently stocking a selection of character Easter Eggs, retailing at £1 each or £3 for four, with a variety of characters to choose from, be it The Simpsons, High School Musical or Peppa Pig, if they get a Glee one I am totally there! There are plenty of other branded home items to be had in here too, from body lotions and toothpaste, face wash, shampoo and conditioners, handwash, soap, baby food, baby juice, cold and flu remedies, seriously Beechams All in One £1, Boots, £4, Bargain! Pop, crisps, chocolate, stationary, colouring books, random car stuff and garden things that I need nor understand, but it's there.

Pound shops are always a winner. This one has all the usual stuff - deodorants, candles, kids toys,…read moretravel accessories etc etc. Typically it's a bit of a mess and the staff really don't want to be there, but you can't argue with the prices. Obviously not everything is good value, but if you spend some time you can really find some bargains. Often you'll find brand names at half the price. Definitely worth calling in if you're shopping in this area.

Blue Rinse is generally acknowledged as the first port of call for the city's trend-toting indie…read morehip-slingers. It's been this way for several years now but at one time, there was nothing to separate the several vintage abodes dotted around the city centre. Blue Rinse now stands head - and probably shoulders too - above it's competitors, not only because the quality of the goods is better (think original Lyle and Scott jumpers, retro Adidas originals gear and a mightily impressive selection of accessories) but because it's arranged and organised like a stylish boutique. Compared to a quest for treasure elsewhere, a treasure chest of desirable garments is presented to you. Open every day of the week, 10.30-6 (Mon-Fri), 10.30-7 (Sat) and 11-5 (Sunday), there's no excuse not go and have a peruse of every single floor. If you're not chasing a bargain basement belt (or any other item of clothing, I only chose belt for alliteration purposes) and are feeling just that little bit flush - payday? - then the Designer's Boutique on the top floor is well worth a look, showcasing some of the finest limited edition clobber local fashionistas have produced. And it does help when the girls that work there are so good looking, too. If they say I look good in something, consider it bought... They're not for me, but girls... the blokes behind the counter look a lot like an early Kings of Leon? Take your fancy?

I don't know if you'll have noticed this, but I have. Leeds is like some kind of Mecca for vintage,…read moreso how I've managed all this time without penning a few thoughts for the big boys at Blue Rinse, I don't know. But I have, so here are some mind-words. Blue Rinse is certainly one of the more long-standing places in which to purchase some great old goodies. They're like the vintage of vintage, having been about so long. And, as opposed to rather a lot of the shops, this place caters in equal measure to the boys and the girls. It's over a few floors, so there's a ton of clothing to rummage through, ranging from funky shirts, jackets, thick woolen jumpers, bright colours and more. It's almost overwhelming when you step inside as there is such a lot to browse through! But patience, friend. Good vintage comes to those who dig. The chaps in there are usually a friendly-ish lot, fash-ed up to the max in the latest vintage look, so if you're at a loss there's always the option to ask for advice. A bonus feature of the changing rooms is the poster collection: pretty much anything of worth going on in the city is plastered up, from gigs to club nights, so it's nice to get a bit of inspiration as you dress for a night out! As mentioned by others, prices are certainly that wee bit higher, but for myself I'd rather spend more and have a staple piece than buy something that will disintegrate in a few months. (I'm looking at you Primark et al.!) Either way, this is definitely another stop off to garnering the coolest threads in town, so pop in if you're after something genuinely old and genuinely cool. Pop in often though, there's a whole load that's one of a kind...

This Pandora is the souvenir shop rather than the jewellery chain accross the road. It's a nice…read moreenough little shop but a bit tacky. It's good for tourists though and I know we get a lot of those in york! I'm sure the things they sell are popular with visitors.