Snickelways are alleys, ginnels, snickets and lanes, many of them ancient, that run between York’s streets. First coined by author Mark W. Jones in 1983, snickelways are often hidden and require some effort to discover. Jones’s specific definition of a snickelway is:
“…a narrow place to walk along, leading from somewhere to somewhere else, usually in a town or city, especially in the city of York.”
There’s some debate as to whether certain routes qualify as snickelways or not. Some, such as Friargate and Carr’s Lane, are just wide enough to drive a modern vehicle down. Others, like the Hole in the Wall, are so short as to be little more than an archway. Some provide useful shortcuts between different part of the city, others are cul-de-sacs. This selection includes the best examples, as well as a few controversial choices.
Ultimately, like York’s street names, they reveal much about the history of ancient York, and so are worthy of attention. They’re also great fun to explore, especially when trying to plot a route across the city via Snickelway.
To find out more, pick a marker from the map above, or an item below, or just browse the list.
- Ye Olde Starre Inne, StonegateBelieved to be the oldest licensed premises in the York, it consists of a 17th ...
- Three Cranes LaneLocated next to the pub of the same name, this snickelway was once a busy ...
- The ShamblesThe Shambles is known for the number of butchers that used to trade from it. ...
- The Norman House SnickelwayOften locked, this alley off Stonegate leads to a courtyard in which the ruins of ...
- Talbot CourtTalbot Court is a gated courtyard off Low Petergate. Access is flanked on one side ...
- Straker’s PassageNamed after the family Straker who lived close and linking Fossgate with Garden Place.
- St Martin’s LaneThis lane passes the Ackhorne pub and connects the church of St Martin cum Gregory, ...
- Spen LaneThis short alleyway passes behind St Andrew’s Church, connecting Spen Lane with St Andrewgate.
- Powell’s YardA snickelway next to the inn of the same name, it runs from Goodramgate to ...
- Pope’s Head AlleyConnecting Peter Lane with High Ousegate, at 2ft 7in wide it is York’s narrowest snickelway.
- Nether Hornpot LaneThe name relates to the area of York in which its medieval horn-making industry was ...
- Monk Bar CourtThis snickelway is a cul-de-sac, accessible from Goodramgate, just before Monk Bar. It leads to ...
- Lund’s Court (formerly Mad Alice Lane)Mad Alice haunts this snickelway. Beaten remorselessly by her husband, she finally attacked and killed ...
- Little ShamblesThis short lane links the Shambles with Newgate Market.
- Lady Peckett’s YardConnecting Pavement and Fossgate, the snickelway is named after then wife of John Peckett, Lord ...
- King’s Manor SnickelwayA long snickelway runs along the side of King’s Manor, connecting the Museum Gardens with ...
- Judge’s CourtThis alleyway off Coney Street leads into a courtyard and, beyond, a four-storey Georgian building. ...
- Hornpot LaneLike Nether Hornpot Lane, the name of this snickelway relates to York’s horn-making industry. The ...
- Hornby’s PassageAccessible from Stonegate, this snickelway leads to a courtyard of shops.
- Hole-in-the-WallBeside the pub of the same name, this is York’s shortest snickelway. It connects High ...
- Guildhall PassageRunning under an arch beneath Mansion House – built as a home, and a place ...
- FriargateFriargate is today a short street which connects Castlegate to Clifford Street, but it once ...
- Franklin’s YardThis lane, near the River Foss, opens from Fossgate into a courtyard housing a number of ...
- Finkle StreetPossibly derived from the Germanic word ‘winkel’ meaning corner, it runs parallel to Nether Hornpot Lane.
- Coffee Yard Linking Swinegate with Stonegate, this is York’s longest snickelway – nearly 220ft. The reconstructed Medieval ...
- Church LaneThis alley, connecting Bridge Street with Spurriergate, runs along the back of St Michael’s church ...
- Chapter House StreetThis ancient cobbled street begins at Minster Yard and passes the Treasurer’s House and Grays ...
- Carr’s LaneFormerly known as Le Kirke Lane or Kirkgail, it is a cobbled way just outside ...
- Black Horse PassageA rather unlovely alleyway, with Straker’s Passage it connects Stonebow to Fossgate.
- BedernAn ancient lane, off Goodramgate, leading to Bedern Chapel and Hall and, via Bartle Garth, ...
- Barker LaneAn ancient Lane, wide enough to now be navigable by car (just.) It connects Toft ...
- 52 GoodramgateThis is covered alleyway leading to private residences and businesses. An interesting kangaroo freize can ...
- 35 StonegatePreviously a lovely snickelway-cum-garden showcasing ‘softpots’ – fabric plant pots (see photo), the snickelway has more ...
- 23 StonegateThis fine pillar-lined alley leads to the premises of the York Medical Society.