York Favorite Tips by sandysmith

Shortest Street Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate Review

Favorite thing: Whip-ma-whop-ma-gate is the shortest street in York. The saxon words mean “neither one thing nor the other”.
In the 16th century, the name was 'Whitnourwhatnourgate,' but the present form emerged when the area became the site of the city where petty criminals were publicly flogged. It can be found at the end of Colliergate.

Fondest memory: ...but who's that fella??
...well he was kind enough to send me this pic because he knew my proper camera was broken when I visited York and the disposable camera I ended up using gave me pics only fit for the bin ;-( Thanks Steve!

Church Details Minster Review

Fondest memory: There is so much to take in in York - each visit there is a new discovery. Just walking around there are so many architectural gems to admire. I don't remember the name of this church or building (help Steve!) but the detail over the door caught my eye - thanks Steve its St Wilfrid's Catholic Church, on Duncombe Place.

Climbing the walls City Walls - General Review

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.

Bars Bootham Bar Review

Favorite thing: ...no not the watering hole variety (although there are plenty of those too !) the gates or entrances to York are known as bars
Thethe four principal entrances to the city around the city walls of York are:
Bootham Bar - NW
Monkgate Bar - NE
Walmgate Bar - SE
Micklegate Bar - SW

Just for confusion "gates" are the streets in York!

Richard III Museum Monk Bar Review

Favorite thing: Monk Bar houses the Richard III museum.
Richard III was King of England for just 26 months (1483-85) and is said to have committed numerous brutal murders - notably his two nephews, Edward Prince of Wales (the uncrowned Edward V), and Richard Duke of York, the so-called PRINCES IN THE TOWER. The museum provides an entertaining look at such controversies.

Monk Bar Monk Bar Review

Favorite thing: The 4 storied Monk Bar is York's tallest and most impressive Medieval Gatehouse . The elaborate design of the gatehouse meant that it could function as a self-contained fortress with each floor capable of being defended. It is said King Richard added its top storey himself in 1484. Monk Bar still has its portcullis and winding mechanism. In fact, the portcullis was regularly raised and lowered until 1970.

City Walls City Walls - General Review

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.

Walmgate Bar II Walmgate Bar Review

Favorite thing: Here's a view of the Walmgate Bar from the other side. Be careful as you take pictures as the traffic comes through this gate and can catch you unawares when the traffic lights change to green :-S

Walmgate Bar I Walmgate Bar Review

Favorite thing: This bar is interesting for its portcullis and gate and also for the remaining Barbican, built in the reign of Edwarxd III, - the only surviving one in York. The wood and plaster on the inner side is from the Elizabethan period too.
Badly damaged by battery fire from Parliamentarians in 1644 it was restored in 1648 and renovated in 1959.
The arms of Henry Vare are on the outer side

Red Tower Red Tower Review

Favorite thing: Red tower marks the temination of the city walls - and once upon a time marked the beginning of an impassable swamp area.
The tower suffered from the battle ravages of the siege of 1644 and has undergone several restorations. The Tower was also formerly known as Brimstone House after a manufactory carried out within its walls.