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It seems like everyone we know is going away for Easter, whether they are jetting off for sunner climates (although the weather here is gorgeous at the moment), or going on a road trip for the Easter weekend (*shudders* at the thought of motorway traffic) and it has got me thinking.

We ALWAYS go away at Easter with the girls godparents but this year we haven't planned anything. Life (and saving for a wedding) has kind of stopped the frivolous spending but that little travelling bug is niggling at me and I *may* have been looking at a cheeky little city break for us.

Easter isn't all about fluffy chicks and chocolate eggs and whilst many people may choose to wait until Halloween to be spooked and chilled to the bone; others will prefer to get their fill of all things bloodcurdling and gruesome sooner. For those of us who love a little gore and tales of horrible histories, York would be a perfect destination for a city break. Its rich history provides plenty of stories that don’t have happy endings, and the city has used its chequered past to its advantage, providing plenty of ghoulish attractions and sights for visitors to enjoy whilst staying in the city.

There are lots of places to stay but for us, grabbing a great deal at a local Travelodge, gives us the chance to enjoy more of what York has to offer you. From ghost walks and dungeons to historic sites in which you can almost sense the ectoplasm, it looks like we could be in for a frightening treat.

York Dungeon

It may be an incredibly popular attraction, largely because it’s part of the Merlin Group (alongside Alton Towers and the like), but York Dungeon is still definitely worth a visit. While weekend visits may mean battling with the masses to see the various attractions within its walls, kids of all ages (and grownups too) will love the level of macabre and gore that it offers, while also helping you to delve deeper into the history of York, no matter how grizzly it is.

York Castle Museum

Now I have confessed before that I love a good castle and with plenty of bloodcurdling exhibitions that may appeal to my more grizzly nature, the York Castle museum looks like it should be on our to do list. Apparently we should make sure that we give ourselves enough time to explore Kirkgate, a recreated Victorian Street in the heart of the museum, and stop by the jail area for a look at what medieval criminals would have had to have put up with.

Barley Hall

This medieval house was only discovered during the 1980s and has been renovated to reflect how it would have been back in the 15^th century. Character actors add to the experience, while visitors can immerse themselves in the history by stepping back in time themselves. It looks like the little ones will love it too because of the Horrible Histories exhibition, meaning it’s a great way to keep them occupied and enthralled during your visit to the city.

Micklegate Bar Museum

This looks fabulous and as there’s also a dressing up area, complete with helmets, cloaks and armour – it is ideal perfect for keeping the little ones entertained while also providing some great photo opportunities. (which is great for me as I am never far from a snapshot!)

I am told that we should also stop by Dick Turpin’s grave if we are going to York. The infamous highwayman is buried in St. George’s Churchyard after being executed in the 18^th century, while the birthplace of Guy Fawkes, famous for the Gunpowder Plot, is also in York. For the other half, there’s a pub – The Guy Fawkes Inn – standing on the site, which is perfect for a quick bevvie mid-sightseeing!

I never chose history as one of my options, which always puzzles me as I love finding and exploring historical buildings, which means that with York's rich history, it may just be the perfect break for me!

Do you have any suggestions where else we could go this Easter to inspire my love of castles and history?