Queen Victoria in York

It is often said that Queen Victoria came to York only once and hated the city, vowing never to return.  This is not quite the case.

Her first visit was in September 1835, when she was only 16 and still a princess, she wrote in her journal “The streets are very narrow and the crowd was immense, but very good-humoured and extremely friendly.”

She stayed with the Archbishop of York in his palace and each day she and her mother went to the Minster to hear the concerts of the York Music Festival, during which she listened to opera stars such as soprano Giulia Grisi and bass Luigi Lablache.

“What a fine church, much finer than Westminster Abbey.” She wrote of York Minster.

This journey in 1835 to York, and other Yorkshire stately homes was made by carriage, having to stop several times to change horses.  However, once the railways were introduced this became her mode of transport, and she would often stop for luncheon in York on her travels to and from Scotland.

The myth may come from here first visit as Queen in 1849, when she was luncheoned by the Lord Mayor, James Meek, however, she was not taken to the Mansion House, instead luncheon was served in the banqueting rooms at the railway station (at the time still within the walls), only half an hour was spent here before returning on here journey.  When Henry Wilberforce, one of the auditors of the annual accounts saw that the cost was £90 (equivalent to £10,170 in 2018) he refused to sanction the payment.  I was apparently confidently expected, as a result of this, that the Queen would not visit York again.

Thankfully Queen Victoria did return to York another 18 times, however, she tended to stay within the station area and not, go into the city.

In 1850, Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and the Royal children visited Castle Howard, so no doubt again travelled by train to York.

And on 13 September 1854 – Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and her five eldest children spent half an hour at Station Hotel on the way to Scotland.

The first Railway Hotel had been opened in 1841 next to the station.  It was bought by Sarah Scawin the following year and was known as Scawin’s Hotel long after she sold it in 1869.