York might not necessarily be on your list of must-visit cities, but it offers a huge array of things to do and see for a full weekend away.

From ancient history to a vibrant nightlife, there’s something for everyone in this attractive and busy city.

Founded as Eboracum in 71AD by the Romans, it has almost 2,000 years of history behind it, something that is reflected and celebrated everywhere you look.

The name York comes from the Danish Jorvik, bestowed when the country’s army conquered the city in 866.

That part of its history continues to be marked, with the Jorvik Viking Centre in the city centre.

There’s so much history from so many different eras that it’s difficult to mention it all – you can navigate the city via the York walls, which is well worth doing, or find out about the links between Richard III and York – something that continues to be the centre of a wrangle after his remains were discovered in Leicester in 2012.

Then, of course, there is York Minster, an imposing cathedral of epic scale that appears all of a sudden from among the city’s narrow streets. One of the largest of its kind in northern Europe, it is home to the Archbishop of York, the second-highest office in the Church of England.

This year the York Dungeon highlights the ‘Tyrannical Tudors’, while British engineering is being celebrated at the National Railway Museum, to which York is also famously home.

York Military Museum is reopening after a £1 million revamp in August and the city’s place as the social hub of the north during Georgian times is also being celebrated.

Bringing things up to date, there are festivals throughout the year and the city will also see the start of the Tour de France cycle race on July 6.

Simply wandering around the city is a pleasant experience.

There are many buildings that are hundreds of years old, with the associated wonkiness that often goes with them, and The Shambles is a delightful narrow street of old buildings and quirky shops, with a real medieval atmosphere.

With so much to see and do, you’re going to need to stop for refreshment and York offers a wide variety of eateries and places to drink – from the Golden Fleece, which is another of those old buildings with uneven floors, claiming to be the city’s most haunted building, to trendy wine bars.

The House of the Trembling Madness is worth a visit for the name alone.

We stayed at the York Travelodge in Piccadilly, which is ideal for a weekend stay. It is just a few minutes’ walk from the city centre, but enjoys a relatively quiet location overlooking the River Foss and York Castle.

By a twist of fate, I stayed here a few years ago and it was, at that time, very run-down and tired – but I’m pleased to say it is one of the hotels to be given a thorough refurbishment by the chain and is now home to bright, clean, modern rooms.

It’s an ideal, cost-effective, base from which to explore the city, with a handy pub and restaurant next door.

York is a great destination for foodies as well. We had an evening meal at Cafe No. 8 Bistro, a quaint little place that does stunningly good, high-end food. At three courses for £29, it’s decent value.

In truth, I can barely touch on what this rich, vibrant city has to offer – you’ll just have to find out for yourself.