York has more medieval city walls remaining than any other city in England, and a walk round York city walls is a great introduction to York.

York's city walls and the Minster

York’s city walls – or the “bar walls”, as they’re known to locals – provide a unique way to get a feel for both the geography and the history of the city.

The 1.9 mile (3.1 kilometres) walk takes you past elements of York’s Roman, medieval, Georgian, industrial and modern history. A walk round the walls offers stunning views of the Minster and its precinct, a medieval guild hall, Clifford’s Tower and the remnants of York castle, York racecourse, the modern train station and – of course – the ‘bars’; the medieval gates that were the only land routes in and out of the city.

York’s medieval walls don’t form one long structure encircling the city (as Chester’s do, for example) and they never did. Rather, they were built in sections, where needed. Hence you can jump on and off them at periodic intervals – sort of like a middle-ages tour bus – as the feeling grabs you.

Notes on walking round the walls
The complete wall walk can be done in an hour but if you want to stop, take pictures and perhaps grab some refreshments along the route it’s worth allowing at least two hours to give the city walls their full justice. The gates are closed around sunset, so bear this in mind when planning your route.

There are plenty of steps, making the walls inaccessible to wheelchair users. Most of the steps have been restored in modern times and are flat and level, but it’s wise to still watch your step.

The most dangerous parts of the wall have railings, but take care even where there are no railings as a fall could result in serious injury. You walk York’s walls at your own risk!

We recommend you start from Bootham Bar and work your way clockwise, which means you finish a couple of hundred yards away at a point near York station and the city centre shops, but it’s up to you.

Choose your start point from the list below or read about the history of York’s city walls.

• Section one: Bootham Bar to Monk Bar
• Section two: Monk Bar to Layerthorpe Postern
• An industrial interlude: Layerthorpe Postern to the Red Tower
• Section three: the Red Tower to Walmgate Bar
• Section four: Walmgate Bar to Fishergate Tower
• Interlude: Fishergate Tower to Baile Hill
• Section five: Baile Hill to Micklegate Bar
• Section six: Micklegate Bar to Lendal Bridge