FREE Yorkshire Walk: York City (1.7 miles)

Below is a free chapter from 20 Circular Walks in North & East Yorkshire. This walk (a 1¾-mile route around York City) is one of 20 in the book, which spans the Vale of York, the Howardian Hills, the Yorkshire Wolds and the Yorkshire Coast. 

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York City Walk (1¾ miles)

Wander through the streets of this historic city, passing some of its most impressive sights. York city centre displays over two thousand years of history from Roman, Viking, Norman, Medieval, Stuart and the Victorian eras. The Shambles is probably the best preserved example of a medieval street and is also thought to be the inspiration for Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter series. The route offers plenty of glimpses of the city’s rich history but the high point has to be the magnificent York Minster, a building that dates from the 9th century.

• Start: York Railway Station, Station Road. 
• Sat Nav: YO24 1AB. 
• Parking: York Railway Station Long Stay Car Park. 
• OS Map: Explorer 290 York. Grid Ref: SE596517. 
• Terrain: Paved roads and paths. Good for prams and dogs.

REFRESHMENTS An abundance around the city centre with numerous cafés, restaurants and pubs.

THE WALK 

1. Start at the front of the train station, the city centre exit, NOT the National Railway Museum exit. Once outside the station turn left to follow Station Road (A1036) as it passes the war memorial and skirts the walls to then cross Lendal Bridge. Once across the bridge continue along the road until you reach the ornate gates of York Museum gardens. Turn left to enter the gardens and follow the path as it meanders to the front of the museum, on the way look left to see the medieval Hospitium, a two-storey listed building which is now a popular wedding venue. Follow the path as it approaches the remains of St. Mary’s Abbey and then swing right to go through the arch. Continue along the path into the Edible Wood Garden, and then keep straight ahead to reach the remains of the defensive walls for the abbey. Turn right here to walk between the walls and the more modern building of York Art Gallery.
 
2. Once past the gallery cross the road and go through the gate (Bootham Bar) to then walk along High Petergate to reach York Minster. Enjoy the views then head to the right of the Minster into Minster Yard. Turn right in front of the entrance down a narrow street, Minster Gates, to reach a junction with Low Petergate. Turn left, and then at King’s Square head to the far right of the square to find the narrow street called the Shambles. This joins Pavement, where you turn right and then right again onto Parliament Street, the main shopping street. Once on Parliament Street take the next left onto Market Street. 

3. At the far end of Market Street turn right onto Coney Street. Keep ahead as this becomes Lendal Street. When you reach Museum Street turn left to cross the bridge and retrace your steps to the start.

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