York's City and its Walls

Phil Catterall

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Please note dogs are not permitted on the walls, nor are wheelchairs or pushchairs.

This walk take you over the ancient walls of one of England's most historic cities. The walled fortifications dating from 1200 almost entirely circle the inner city. The path travels on the top of these fortifications, providing splendid views into the city and beyond. The walls alone are worth the journey, but at every opportunity the chance is taken to explore the interlaced streets of the city.

Your first step off the walls takes you across the mighty River Ouse at Lendal Bridge - from this point or later in the walk at King's Staith, you can take boat trips if you wish. Continue past the Theatre Royal and Art Gallery. Returning onto the walls again takes you around the rear of the Minster, a must for exploring later. Associated with the Minster are the gardens, the Treasurer's House (NT) and St William's College.

Again we drop down from the walls and head into the city. After passing the frontage of the Minister this route takes you through the Shambles, where the mediaeval houses are so close that you can touch the other side of the street from the window, through Petergate, Parliament Street and twisting through the dark ginnel of Coffee Yard. These old passageways and snickets give you a feel for the mediaeval city. You pass close to the Jorvik Centre, a Viking museum with a journey through time and as you go through Coffee Yard you can look into Barley Hall, a mediaeval house with a banqueting hall.

Once through the cities streets, the route takes you along King's Staith by the River Ouse for 400 metres, until crossing at Skeldergate Bridge. When you get here, if you still have the energy and wish to continue walking, you can go straight on over the bridge on the same left bank to reach the Millenium footbridge. You may cross there and return on the other side and walk through the riverside Rowntree Park to reach Waymark 24 - this would add another 2.5 km to this walk. The navigation is easy should you decide to go for it. Most walkers though will likely directly cross Skeldergate Bridge and mount the walls for the final stretch, taking you back to the Micklegate Bar steps to return you to the Nunnery Lane car park.

England - North England - Yorkshire - Town or city

Features

Castle, Church, Great Views, Museum, National Trust, Pub, River, Stately Home, Toilets

8/25/2013 - Sharon Hooper

At Waypoint 19 note that Minster Gates is a street just before the Roman column. We walked down to the gates of the minster which is incorrect.

10/28/2007 - Colin Forrest

Great walk - well thought out and enjoyable combination of quiet peaceful parts of York and the hustle and bustle of the centre. Between points 24 and 25 you can extend the walk along the river until the stunning foot bridge(approx map ref 603503) and return on the opposite side to join the city walls again back to the car park. See: http://www.vryork.com/millennium_bridge_york/

6/21/2005 - Michael and Marian Vaughn

Did this on a recent short break, visiting York. Not knowing the city it was a very good way of guiding us round all the sites and pleasant walking along the city walls.