Medieval City Walls, York UK

• 5-star hike
• 3 mile loop
• Easy | Gain 90m (290 ft)
• York, UK | North Yorkshire
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The image shows Mickelgate Bar, a historic stone gatehouse in York. It features two cylindrical towers and several coats of arms displayed on its facade. The structure is part of a larger stone wall and is flanked by older brick buildings on either side. The sky is clear with a few clouds, highlighting the well-preserved medieval architecture of the gatehouse.

Mickelgate Bar, one of seven preserved gatehouses.

The City of York is a showcase of two millennia of British history, with every era leaving its mark. From its Roman origins in AD 77 to the Viking invaders of the 9th century, and the riches and squalor of the Middle Ages. Every period has contributed to the York's rich historical tapestry, which is evident throughout this northern town.

One of the best ways to capture the essence of York is on a tour of its defensive walls; the most complete example of medieval city walls that still stand in England today. The first walls were built by the Romans and survived until the invasion of the Vikings, who reinforced the walls with earthen banks and timber palisades. During medieval times the city walls were extended and reconstructed in the stonework that remain visible today.

Trail Options Expand KML · Google Earth ·

⬤ 5★ York City Walls 2.9 mi loop, easy, gain 90 m (290 ft)
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions GPX?

£ Paid parking. Expand map for options.

Start your self-guided tour of the walls at any of the gatehouses, locally known as 'bars'. Steps lead you up to a stone-paved walkway that extends along the entire length of the walls. Periodically, you'll need to descend to street level to navigate around other gatehouses and occasional gaps in the walls, such as at river crossings, where the defensive walls were replaced by chains that stretched across the water. There's also a gap in the walls on the western side of the city where challenging marshland terrain made defensive walls unnecessary. Brass markers in the pavement today guide walkers to the next section of the structure.

The northern and eastern sections of the walls between Micklegate Bar, Bootham Bar, and Monk Bar offer the most scenic views. For those who prefer a shorter walk, focusing on this area is ideal. From here it's a short distance to York Minster, the celebrated Anglican cathedral that is the city's crowning jewel.

The image shows a picturesque view of York Minster, a large Gothic cathedral in York, England. The cathedral dominates the background with its intricate architecture, including tall spires and a central tower. In the foreground, there are charming red-brick buildings with well-maintained gardens and outdoor seating areas. The sky is bright blue with scattered clouds, adding to the overall beauty and serenity of the scene.

York Minster, visible on the Bootham Bar to Monk Bar section.

Our map also highlights the city's other main attractions, including medieval streets, the keep of the former York Castle, several museums, celebrations of the local chocolate industry, and even a Disney-style dark ride through a reconstruction of the streets of Yorvik, the name given to the city by the Vikings. Our favorite museums in York are the National Rail Museum and the Yorkshire Museum. While the recently opened Clifford's Tower is worth a visit, we do not recommend the nearby Castle Museum.

For visitors arriving by train, the city walls conveniently run directly past the railway station. If you're visting by car, York has a total of six park and ride locations around the city, and our directions linked above lead to the southern Askham Bar location. Our map also includes the locations of the principal parking lots close to town, though to see them you'll need to expand the map and add the parking layer in the sidebar.

The image is a split view showing two different scenes related to the City of York. The left side of the image shows a close-up of a metal gate with a circular emblem that reads 'CITY OF YORK' in white letters on a red background. The emblem features a white rose in the center, which is a symbol associated with the city. The right side of the image depicts a section of the ancient city walls of York. The walls are made of stone and have a series of supporting buttresses. There is a grassy area alongside the walls, and trees can be seen in the background under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

Views of the city walls.

We heartily recommend York if you're planning a vacation to the UK, and would place it above other towns such as Bath, Cambridge and Chester. Located half way between London and Edinburgh on the main high speed rail line also makes it convenient to destination.

Furthermore, it's a great starting point for many great hikes in Northern England; follow us as publish trail reviews for many of them and add them to our growing UK and Yorkshire trail maps, linked below.

The image shows an ornate, historical bridge spanning over a calm river. The bridge features intricate ironwork and stone pillars. A red double-decker bus is crossing the bridge, adding a vibrant touch to the scene. The river below reflects the bridge and the surrounding greenery, with a clear sky and a few clouds indicating a pleasant day.

Skeldergate Bridge over the River Ouse.

On the left side, there's a close-up of a circular metal marker embedded in the ground. The design features a castle with a cross in the middle. The right side displays a small stone structure resembling a castle or fortification, complete with an arched entrance and steps leading up to it. The lush greenery surrounding it adds to its charm.

Pavement marker. | Turret near Baile Hill.

A historic stone gate with cylindrical towers on either side. The gate features an arched entrance topped with a red plaque, which bears some inscriptions. The stonework is weathered and shows signs of age. A pathway made of stone slabs leads through the gate and disappears into a street beyond. The surrounding area is lush with greenery, including grass and bushes.

The last surviving defensive gatehouse barbican.

The image shows the interior of a large, historic train station with a high, arched ceiling made of metal and glass. A large, ornate clock with Roman numerals is prominently displayed, hanging from the ceiling structure. Below the clock, there is a staircase leading down to the train platforms, where several people are walking or waiting. The platforms are curved, and the station is well-lit with natural light streaming through the glass ceiling. The architecture is intricate, with detailed metalwork and a spacious, airy feel.

York is two hours from London and en route to Edinburgh.

Tangents:
• External Links: Visit York, Park & Ride Locations
• AllTrails Public: York City Walls
• Facebook Group: Comment, Follow Us

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A castleated tower with defensive walls and colorful heraldic crest.

UK Hiking Trails
A growing map of trail reviews, particularly in the North of England.