York City Walls
York is one of just a handful of English cities where the medieval walls are still standing. Constructed out of magnesian limestone in the 13th & 14th centuries, York’s ancient city walls stretch for over two miles and take about two hours to walk the full circuit.
The defences, also known as the Bar Walls, stretch for over two miles and enclose an area of 263 acres. Built on top of an earthen bank, a wooden palisade originally ran along the rampart but was replaced by stone walls during the 13th and 14th centuries. York’s medieval defences included four main gates or ‘bars,’ namely Bootham Bar, Monk Bar, Walmgate Bar and Micklegate Bar. Not only was the city protected by stone fortifications, there were also natural defences in the form of the Rivers Ouse and Foss, along with a man-made lake called the King’s Fishpool.
In Victorian times, the walls were repaired with new features built, such as footpaths for visitors to use. Roman stonework from the legionary fortress survives beneath parts of the earthen bank – itself a 9th century Viking rampart, later heightened in the Norman period.
Closest stop on the route: 9 Walmgate Bar
Opening Hours
8:00 am - 8:00 pm
Attraction Duration
Approx. 30 mins to 2hrs
Age Range
All Ages
Admission
Free
