City Walls - General, York

Favorite thing: Some sections of YORK CITY WALLS date back to Roman times. When the Romans first came here in the first century A.D., they built a military fort on the banks of the River Ouse. Strong walls were built to enclose both the Fort and Town.
The three main gateways in to the old city stand at Bootham Bar, Monk Bar, Walmgate Bar and Micklegate Bar which is the main entrance to the city and also the traditional entry point for Kings and Queens visiting York.
You can even walk along its 3.4 km distance. It takes about two hours. Walking along the Medieval Ramparts of York is also the favourite leisure activity of many of the locals.

Favorite thing: York is surrounded by the medieval walls thus making it England's only "wall city". The walls extend for 4km and were built during the 13th and 14th centuries. There are four gates within the walls themselves. It is possible to walk around the circumference of the the walls by way of a series of foot paths.

Fondest memory: As I have said, one of the most pleasant ways see York is by taking a walk along it ancient defensive walls. The wall offer some terrific views of the York Minster and the surrounding parks but also of some more obscure areas.

I have to admit to being something of a voyeur when it come to observing the "backyard" lives of the people in the places I visit and nothing is better than their secret gardens. In York as you wall along, several homes back up directly to the walls and you are allowed a wonderful arial view of many classic English gardens. Of course, they're not not really secret and surely they know they are on display...still it seems like a private showing.

Favorite thing: Take a stroll on the almost complete city walls around the historic old town of York. The stroll offers many nice views of the old part of the city including the famous Minster. On the 2 1/2 miles long walk you come across the gates of the city walls, which are called Bars (Monk-, Bootham-, Micklegate- and Walmgate Bar).

Favorite thing: York is entirely surrounded by it's walls and you can walk large sections of them.

From the walls you get a great view of some of the citys buildings, including some fantastic views of the Minster. My favourite section of wall is that part that runs from lendal Bridge past the railway station and on to the top of Micklegate.

Favorite thing: Through a narrow archway on the right hand side of Bootham Bar is a flight of steep steps -climb these to reach the city walls.
Walking the walls amnd ramparts of York you get a great overview of the town, old and modern, and you come come across several of these bars too.

Favorite thing: Walking the walls of the city is the best way to see York - probably the best views of the Minster too. They form an almost complete circuit - that honour belongs to the city of Chester. Its a lovely walk - about 3 miles long - with friends too. In some places it is quite narrow and single file is necessary. in other places it is wider with a drop down to the ground below.

Favorite thing: Walk around the city walls and admire the views. It is a 2 1/2 mile walk but well worth the effort. The best time to go is early in the morning when there are less tourists around. As you walk around the walls you can see the York of days gone by.

Favorite thing: The York City Walls are one of the best kept and well maintained walls you can see. They are a real pleasure to walk on and see the city life as it happens from the top and the view is pretty good from quite a few vantage points.

Favorite thing: take a walk around the walls. At various points on a wall walk you will come to a gate. These usually consist of defensive towers either side of an arched gateway. The gates are called Bars (and streets are called Gates, got that?) So this picture is of Mickelgate Bar.