My City: Gillian Cruddas

What do you like best about your city?

In York we’re surrounded by so much history and so many beautiful buildings and I love being able to walk around taking in all the fabulous views. There’s always a real buzz in the air, with street musicians, festivals and many different nationalities visiting the city, it feels very cosmopolitan.

What would be your perfect day?

An early morning walk by the river, toasted muffins and free-range eggs for breakfast at Betty’s, some quiet time in York Minster or a visit to one of the city’s magnificent attractions, followed by an afternoon shopping, dinner and then a film at City Screen or a show at one of the city’s wonderful theatres. I’ve just been to see Peter Pan at York Theatre Royal, which was magical. When I’m not in York I like to pull on my hiking boots and explore the rest of Yorkshire; I love the dales, the moors and the coast.

Do you have a favourite walk or view?

No matter how many times I see it, the south side of the Minster with the statue of Emperor Constantine, particularly when the sun creates a golden hue on the stonework; it always takes my breath away.

If you had to name a hidden gem in your city, what would it be?

York has so many hidden gems; the Treasurer’s House; Barley Hall; Micklegate Bar Museum; the Bar Convent; Fairfax House; the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall; the Mansion House and the Quilt Museum to name just a few. But one place I think is totally undiscovered is Goddard’s – the National Trust HQ on Tadcaster Road – here you can visit the former gardens of Noel Goddard Terry of chocolate making fame and it’s a beautiful place for a picnic.

Do you have a favourite pub or restaurant?

We are definitely spoilt for choice in York and with Fossgate being named the UK’s third best foodie street, there’s more to choose from than ever before. I love to try out new places like Grays Court, tucked away near the Minster or the Hairy Fig for lunch; the owner Sue sells Father Rainer’s Gin made at Ampleforth Abbey – I can only try that on days off though. I also had a lovely meal recently with a group of journalists from Hong Kong at Nineteen Grape Lane.

What do you think makes York special?

All the different stories connected with the city – you can learn something new about York every day – I learnt all about York’s Roman burial ground last week at the new Cemetery of Secrets exhibition on Coppergate. To think that York could be home to the world’s best-preserved gladiator burial ground is really quite amazing.

If you were hosting a dinner party, which three other guests would you invite (from your city) and why?

Kate Atkinson because I enjoyed her novel set in York – Behind the Scenes at the Museum; Ivan Martin, this year’s tourism ambassador and chairman of the Association of Voluntary Guide to entertain me with all his quirky stories about York and York’s very own Dame Judi. She’s one of the greatest actresses of my generation.

What is your pet hate about the city?

Some of the non-essential signs and clutter in the centre, but it’s being sorted.

What are your priorities?

To make sure visitors appreciate just how much there is to see and do in and around York so that they stay longer and spend more. It’s vitally important for the city that we highlight our superb cultural offer; the festivals, theatres, the National Centre for Early Music, cinemas, the new short film festival, the world class visitor attractions, superb shops. We have so much to offer and my priority is to make sure the world knows about it.