Robbie Dale puts on his walking shoes to see what York has to offer.

THE summer term is an interesting time. You spend your first six months at university braving the wind and rain that seems to haunt the city in order to buy a simple pint of milk, while a trip into town involves SCUBA gear and a City and Guilds certificate in the harnessing of wind power.

Once you hit the summer term, life takes on a rosier tint. The animals' have their cute, fluffy babies, the sun shines and makes everyone smile a bit more, and students convince themselves that, irrespective of the weather forecast, it says May on the calendar and that means it is time for shorts and a barbecue.

Sadly, the summer term also means exams and, as such, a lack in any of the exciting things that tend to keep students occupied.

However, seeing as the students of York have inevitably inherited the Northern predilection for taking football shirts to be snow-gear, I thought I'd browse some of the outdoor walks that one can enjoy in and around the city.

Many a time have I enjoyed a summer evening pint down by the river at the King's Arms pub. While sipping a cooling beverage, I have noted a gathering of people hovering quite like under-age sixth-formers, without a drink and dressed as if they think the river floods literally all the time.

These people it turns out are customers for The Original Ghost Walk of York. Lasting an hour and a half, the walk gives visitors and locals alike a taste of 'history and mystery' (according to the website). Anyway, it's popular and you can always slip off for a drink if you change your mind.

York is famed as a haunted city and ghost walks abound, but there are other options for the more frightened among you. Why not try the Roman Soldier Tour, leaving 1pm daily from Eboracum Roman Bathhouse, St Sampson's Square - or even a morning guided walk of York, leaving Exhibition square at 10.15 every day?

Get your comfortable shoes and a brew up a flask of tea.

Updated: 08:50 Friday, May 14, 2004