Walk York's Historic City Walls

There are many great day's out on offer to people holidaying on the North York Moors.

A favourite is take a short drive into the City of York itself - the spiritual home of all North Yorkshire folk!

There is just so much to do during a day visit to York.

And it's all within an hour's drive of Rosedale Abbey in the heart of the Moors.

There is Just So Much to Do During a Day-out in York.

How about a visit to the famous Minster, the Yorkshire Museum, the York Castle Museum, the National Railway Museum, or Cliffords Tower?

Perhaps take in the sights with a cruise on the River Ouse or an open-top bus tour around the city-centre?

Or maybe just some shopping in the famous streets of York?

Try Stonegate, the Shambles, or Whipma-Whapma-Gate (it's Yorkshire dialect for "odds and ends"- a street you'll find everything).

They all offer great shops and hundreds of years of history.

Surely the Oddest-sounding Street Name in England?

I must admit that my own personal favourite activity whenever I get the chance to visit York is to just walk the city Walls.

They say that the statues of York still allow you to shoot from the Walls at any Scotsman you see with a bow and arrow! But I think that may be an urban myth - so don't give it a try!!

These days, our Northern neighbours are as welcome as anyone to pay a visit.

The path around York's Walls requires about an hour and can be undertaken in either direction - and offers great views of all of York's historic landmarks.

York City Walls With Miinster in the Backgound.

And best of all, a walk round the city Walls is both free (important to people from Yorkshire); and a good day's exercise to build-up to lunch or tea in one of York's fine eating establishments.

You can access the Walls at numerous locations, including all of the "Bars" - city gates - that ring the middle of York.

Walmgate Bar, with its defensive barbican in tact, is the most complete entry gate into the city; and makes a good starting point for the walk.

Most of the Walls that you see today are over 600 year's old; but some sections date to the Roman period of occupation.

You can see the remains of a Roman watch-tower close to Monk Bar on the grassy bank inside the Walls.

The City Walls Encircle Cliffords Tower - Another "Must See" Attraction.

One of the most interesting features you'll see is the Red Tower, which dates from 1490.

The Red Tower is the only component of the city Walls that is constructed from brick.

It was a watch tower and played a significant defensive role during the siege of York during the English civil war.

Walking York's Walls will give any visitor a real sense of the unique history of this magnificent city.

And there are interpretation plaques with relevent information at all major features around the Walls; so you can follow the story of the development of the city Walls over hundreds of years.

It's highly recommended!

Roman Tile from the Famous IX Legion - Found Near York's Walls.