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The Bars and Walls of York are the finest and most complete of any town in England. At two miles the walls are the longest in the UK and are one of York’s top free visitor attractions. Over a million people a year take a walk through 1900 years of history on York’s city walls. Built in Roman times, they have been added to and rebuilt over time and now have parts from across the centuries.

As you walk the walls and look at the bars would you like to know more about their history and the changes that have taken place over the centuries? The Friends of York Walls can provide walking guides for small or larger groups, as well as talks and presentations to individuals or groups.

For more information please click here.

A “walls walk” around the full circuit will take approximately two hours with just a few stops for talking. However a more comprehensive “walk and talk” can take considerably longer depending on the number of stops and the requirements of the group.

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The Tofts Fair on Saturday 21st July was blessed with a sunny day and the event was a great success.

We have had some positive feed back from local residents, enough to encourage us to do it all again next year. On 31st July The Right Honourable The Lord Mayor Councillor, Keith Hyman, drew the winning raffle tickets at the Mansion House. The results are as follows:

Ticket Number 18 Halfords child’s bicycle

Ticket Number 33 Free “Stone Sponsorship” for Fishergate Postern Tower

Ticket Number 27 Bottle of wine

Ticket Number 54 Bottle of wine

Ticket Number 47 Doggy prize

Ticket Number 51 Perfume gift set

Many thanks to our sponsors, Halfords and Pets R Us, and also to our entertainers, Mike & Lyn’s Punch & Judy, and the Razzle Dazzle dance group from Selby.

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On Saturday 21st July the ‘Friends of York Walls’ are holding a Tofts Fair around Lower Priory Street, just inside the walls near to the Victoria Bar. With help from the local Residents Association and the support of City of York Council, this is part of the City’s 800th Charter Year celebrations.

Activities planned include:
Music & dance, Giant games, Miniature train rides, Bouncy castle, Dog show, Halfords bike display & free bike safety checks, Charity stalls, Climbing wall, Face painter, Ice cream refreshments & BBQ, Punch and Judy, Local history displays, Free fruit for the children, Sponsor a Stone and History of the Walls display by FYW, etc..

The Friends of York Walls are keen to join with local residents in celebrating the walls that meander past their streets and back gardens. The Walls in York are England’s longest and most complete, and visitors from all over the world come to walk on them. The Friends of York Walls are keen to promote our wonderful heritage for the good of local residents and visitors alike.

Advertising flyer available here.

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On Saturday 14th July 2012 The Friends of York Walls escorted the Lord Mayor of York Councillor Keith Hyman, and Mrs Karen Hyman the Lady Mayoress, on a walk along some of York’s historic walls.

The civic party was first entertained by the York Concert Band on the front lawns of The Kings Mansion before setting off on a “walls walk” through the Museum Gardens to Lendal Bridge and the start of the city walls. There they were entertained by a busker and given tea and biscuits courtesy of the Cedar Court Hotel. More buskers entertained the walking party at Micklegate Bar and then at the Bitchdaughter Tower where the party was given wine and biscuits. The walls walk finished at Fishergate Postern Tower when the civic party sponsored a stone and climbed the spiral staircase to view the upper floors. Throughout the event collections were taken in aid of “The Lord Mayors Charities”.

More photographs taken during the event can be seen here.

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