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York City Walls

Yorkshire

Booking York City Walls

  • Historic Immersion: Walk over 2,000 years of layered urban history, with Roman, medieval, and Victorian architecture underfoot.
  • Panoramic City Views: Elevated vantage points offer stunning views over York Minster and the city while strolling along the ramparts.
  • Completely Free: Enjoy a culturally rich, atmospheric walk at no cost—open daily from dawn to dusk.
Prices from: Free!
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Encircling the historic centre, York City Walls let you walk two miles of medieval defences with views over the Minster and streets below.

Times

The City Walls typically open at 08:00 daily and close at dusk, with precise closing times varying by season at the City of York Council’s official schedule. Seasonal or weather-related closures may occur in very icy or windy conditions. View all available times here

Attraction Duration

2 hours

Age Range

Fun for all ages

Attraction Overview

Stretching for over two miles, York City Walls form the most complete set of medieval defences in England. Built on Roman foundations and developed through the centuries, the walls enclose much of the historic centre, offering you elevated views of the Minster, the River Ouse and the city’s winding streets.

You can join the circuit at several points, climbing steps up to the stone walkways and following the route along battlements, towers and gatehouses such as Micklegate Bar, where monarchs once entered the city. Along the way, you pass gardens, hidden courtyards and residential streets that show how York’s past and present sit side by side. Walking the full stretch takes around two hours, though you can leave or rejoin at different sections, making it easy to explore at your own pace.

Be sure to explore...

  • The Multangular Tower in Museum Gardens, a rare and intact remnant of the original Roman defences
  • Micklegate Bar, the grand gateway where kings and queens once entered the city.
  • The Red Tower, the only brick tower on the walls, with its fascinating history from Tudor times, Civil War damage, to Victorian restoration
  • Hidden gardens and quiet courtyards glimpsed from the walkway above.
  • Stone towers dotted along the circuit, each with its own character and vantage point.

Get here by Public Transport

You can reach York City Walls easily by taking one of several local bus services, including routes 6, 9, 11, 13, and 25, which stop at Monk Bar or Stonebow—both just a short walk from the walls. Visitors using the Askham Bar Park & Ride can take the White Line (Service 3) and alight at the City Walls or Micklegate Bar stops, placing you right at an access point. Many regional and express services, such as the X45, X46, and X47, also serve central York, from where it’s only a few minutes on foot to join the walkway.