|
York's
city walls were first built in Roman times and have been added to
ever since, though there were moves to have them demolished in the
19th century.
Fortunately,
the then local council failed in its attempts. Now they’re
enjoyed by tens of thousands of visitors a year.
 |
| Jim
Rubery |
School
teacher and author Jim Rubery and I joined the many tourists for
a walk around the walls.
Jim
has just written a new guide: Historic Walks in North Yorkshire
which is published by Cicerone. And the walk along the walls forms
one of a collection of 20 walks he’s detailed in his new book.
 Listen
to Jim Rubery and Mike Kemp on the walk
The
walk begins by the River Ouse at the St George’s Field car
park and with a short loop to take in Clifford’s Tower joins
the walls proper at the Fishergate Postern Tower.
The
walls are not complete with the largest break on Foss Islands Road.
Though this one was deliberate as William the Conqueror created
a big pool of water to deter would-be attackers.
The
pool later developed into a foul-smelling swamp and there are no
misgivings about that feature having disappeared long ago.
 |
| View
of York Minster from the walls |
For
me, the most interesting section of the wall is from where you rejoin
it at Foss Bank to Bootham Bar. There are splendid views across
red pantile roofs to the majesty of York Minster.
We
left the wall at Bootham Bar to cross into the Museum Gardens to
see the Roman Multiangular Tower and the remains of St Mary’s
Abbey, once the wealthiest Benedictine abbey in the north of England.
We
again return to the walls this time after crossing Lendal Bridge
and walk on to Skeldergate. But we don’t yet return to our
starting point.
Here
we walk by the side of the busy River Ouse to the Millenium Bridge
and enjoy some of York’s countryside.
 |
| Along
the River Ouse |
Standing
on the bridge it can be easy to forget that York’s bustling
city centre is only about a mile away.
We
finish the walk by ambling up the other side of the Ouse and back
to the car park.
The
walk is about four-and-a-half miles but it’s likely to be longer
than that by the time you finish, as you take any number of detours
to visit York’s many historic sites such as the Treasurer’s
House, York Minster itself and maybe the National Railway Museum.
Discuss
your favourite walks on our Message Board
Enter
the latest walks competition
|
It
is essential for both the success and safety of the walk that
an up-to-date weather forecast is obtained before setting
out.
