York City Walls

In a city where you tend to pay over the odds for everything (don’t get me started on Yorkminster..) it was a pleasant change to be able to wander around the city walls without having to dip into our wallets. You can detour downwards whenever it takes your fancy, and then pick up the wall again a bit further along. Good views as you see the city and its environs from different places and angles. Lots of history to read as you reach each Bar, or Gate. A nice way to spend an hour or two.

Well worth a wander around, it’s free which is always a bonus.

The wall is around 2 miles long, three quarters of it still stands so at times you have to drop back to street level and follow sign posts to rejoin.

Ignore the negative reviews on here, clearly written by people who can’t appreciate history. The experience is an opportunity to appreciate what went in to building the walls and what life would have been like living in or outside of its confines.

It’ll take you around an hour to walk around if you’re fit and don’t hang around. There are plenty of places to stop and rest if required.

Walking along these historic walls is free of charge and access can be made from various locations around the city. There are lots of steps to go up and down all along them so bare that in mind if you have any mobility issues. You get good views from up there so it’s worth taking time out to either walk part the way round or the full way. We only did a small section as the weather was wet and windy.

Our daughter is at University in York and we wanted to have a tourist day together. The two hour walk round York City Walls in late September sunshine fitted the bill perfectly. Given Covid19, there was a one way route and in one part you will need to wear a face mask as technically you are indoors (going down steps). Recommend to all unless you have mobility problems as there are lots of steps.

The walls are an interesting way to explore the boundaries of the old town.
Be aware that they are not disabled friendly, in fact in some places they are dangerous!
However, for the fit and able, you get some interesting views and plenty of interesting facts as you go round.
It is enjoyable, but in busier months, I can imagine you'll not get much time to stand around and admire the views!

The York City walls is a 4.5km circuit around the inner city, that takes 1 to 2 hours to walk (depending how fast you go, and how often you stop for the views etc). We walked it in just under an hour.
The views of the York Minster are beautiful.
There are quite a lot of ups and downs in terms of staircases, and a couple of stretches where the walls no longer exist but there are small markers on the pavements marking the route of the walls and some signposts to help you find your way.

The city walls were striking. The Friends of York City Walls website has a most excellent (and free) guide to the walls, with detailed info on the history and things to look out for. It made my walk much more enjoyable. I spent 5 hours doing the 2-mile loop and I still felt I didn't see everything!

You must walk along York City Walls when visiting York. These walls have defended the City for 2,000 years and much of it still remains. It is free to walk and is about 2 miles long and can take between 1 to 2 hours to walk depending on how fast you walk. It is a great way of seeing the City. Beware that there are gaps between parts of the wall and so you will need to cross streets and walk along some roads to continue walking the whole circuit.

Parts of the wall obviously more interesting than some others and you do not need to do all of it to appreciate the significance to the city of the structure. However a circuit does give you a real perspective on how th different parts of the city relate to each other. Can sometimes get crowded so best go before 10.30 or after 5 in the afternoon

There are designated entrance and exit points because the walk-around requires people to move clockwise thru the walls.
A bit confusing in finding the entrances and exits. But once you get started, it is a great way to sightsee the city from a certain height.