York Castle
York Castle was originally a large fortified complex, comprising the keep of Clifford’s Tower, prisons and various other buildings. Its first incarnation was as a wooden structure, rapidly assembled following …
Fishergate Postern Tower
This tower was built between 1504 and 1507, replacing an earlier structure called Talkan Tower. Next to the tower is a small postern gate – a discreet entrance to the …
St Mary’s Abbey walls
The walls along Marygate were built in 1266 as part of the defences for St Mary’s abbey, covering more than four hundred and fifty meters in total. The walls that stretch …
St Mary’s Tower
This tower is part of the defences that surrounded St Mary’s Abbey, rather than York’s main walls. The tower was built in the early 14th century but was badly damaged …
Lendal Tower
This imposing tower was part of the medieval city’s river defences. A chain could be slung across the river from here to prevent water-borne attacks. It dates from about 1300, …
Barker Tower
Dating from the 14th century, this round tower, along with Lendal Tower on the bank opposite, would have controlled river-based access to the city. A chain was slung across the …
The Old Baille
York was one of the few cities in England that had two castles. The first was Clifford’s Tower. The second – the Old Baille – was smaller than the tower …
Red Tower
The Red Tower was built in 1490 by order of Henry VII. Controversially, the job of building it was given to bricklayers rather than the stonemasons, who resented this arrangement. …
King’s Manor
Currently leased to the University of York, King’s Manor was built in 1270 as a residence for the Abbot of St Mary’s abbey. Some of the original stonework remains, but …
Monk Bar
Dating from the 14th century, this is the tallest and strongest of the four main bars – essentially a self-contained fortress. It was built on the site of a previous …
Bootham Bar
Bootham is a continuation of Petergate outside the city walls. There has been a gateway here for nearly 2000 years and Bootham Bar stands on the site of the western …
Dean’s Park
This small, leafy park, along with the Minster and a number of surrounding buildings, were part of the Liberty of St Peter, a walled city-within-a-city that was outside Mayoral jurisdiction. …