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York History in Pictures Snickelways |
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York has many alleyways and 'pedestrian only' streets which date from medieval times. Many of these go un-noticed by tourists and citizens of York alike. In his excellent book 'A Walk around the Snickelways of York' Mark W Jones has sought to bring these alleyways to our attention coining the term 'Snickelway' in the process. He writes that he has taken bits of 'Snicket', 'Ginnel' and 'Alleyway' to compose the word 'Snickelway'. Following the guidance set out in the book will give the reader an ideal alternative to exploring historic York rather than the more well trodden routes. I heartily recommend this little book but please note that I have no connection whatsoever with the author or publisher. Mr Jones' book records c. 48 'Snickelways' some of which are easily photographed, others less so. I have attempted a light hearted look at a number of examples. The numbers in the text relate to the numbering in Mark Jones' book. One brief word on security. York is no better or worse, when it comes to petty crime, than other cities. I have never ever personally encountered any problems but it does make sense to explore the less populated Snickelways with a companion just to be sure. |
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The starting point of your walk is outside the art gallery in Exhibition Square. This is a busy area so take care as you cross over to Bootham Bar (seen left) Pass through Bootham Bar and find yourself in High Petergate (photo right). Now begins the walk proper as immediately leaving the Bar the 'Hole in the Wall' pub will be seen to your left. (Sorry but there are too many lefts and rights on this page) |
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On the left is (1) 'The Hole in the Wall' which has indeed a hole in its' wall and which is the entrance to the snickelway running from High Petergate and out to Precentor's Court. This nice view of the Minster greets you from the end of the snickelway .Turning left out of Precentor's Court brings you to (2) Deans Park and a view of the remains of the 13th century former Archbishops Palace and which now serves as the Minster library |
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Turn left past the Treasurers House and you find yourself in (3) Chapter House Street (photo on the right). Follow the street down and turn right in to Ogleforth
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Walk down Ogleforth and across Goodramgate you will see (4.1) Bedern Passage (photo left) through which appears the remains of the Chapel of the Vicars Choral. Walking on down Bedern Path (5) you pass through modern flats but take a slight detour to see (4.2) Bedern Hall which was once the dining hall of the Vicars Choral in the 14th century
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Bedern. Left the Chapel of the Vicars Choral. Right Bedern Hall and far right the end of (5) Bedern Path covered in new build. |
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As you emerge from Bedern turn right and then left into (6) Penny Lane (photo far left) taking the horseshoe path around St. Andrew's Hall which will then return you to (7) St. Andrewgate. Turn left up St. Andrewgate and a short walk will find you in King's Square but resist the temptation to walk into the Shambles. |
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Cross King's Square and take a left into (8) Newgate (photo right) and then into (9) Patrick Pool. (photo second right) At the end of Patrick Pool turn left and then right into St. Sampson's Square. Once in the square pass down (10) Three Cranes Lane next to the pub of that name. |
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Directly exiting the Three Cranes Lane turn left and then cross the road to (11) Mad Alice Lane. At the end of the lane cross the road and enter (12) Hornpot Lane which will take you into the church yard of the 13th century Holy Trinity Church. The path across it being known as (13) Tong's Court. Take a while to look inside this ancient church. |
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Leaving the churchyard and turning left pass up Goodramgate until you reach its' junction with Deangate. (14) College Street runs off this junction. Pass in front of St Williams' College (see right) and bear left past the eastern end of the Minster. |
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You will find yourself walking along (15) Queens Path. (right) Cross Minster Yard and find yourself in (16) Minster Gates. (below left) |
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This view of (16) Minster Gates looks back the 'wrong way'. If you were to follow the book you would enter from the Minster end! The photo was taken at the junction of High and Low Petergate, (16) Minster Gates and (17) Stonegate (far right) |
Walking down (17) Stonegate (right) with some attractive shops you will see the sign for Ye Olde Starre Inn which crosses the street. You can just make out the sign in the distance in this photo |
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As you reach the sign glance to your left and you will see the Red Devil sitting at the entrance to (18) Coffee Yard |
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Walk down (18) Coffee Yard and you will see that it opens out to the patio in front of Barley Hall, a stunning medieval townhouse. It's well worth a visit if you have time. You actually can't see it in the photo on the left but it is there - trust me! Mind your head when you exit Coffee Yard. |
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Hopefully you have not done any damage ducking to leave Coffee Yard. Walk down Swinegate and right into Back Swinegate. and left into (19) Finkle Street. Following the Snickelway down will bring you back into St Samson's Sq. close to the Roman Bath pub. Before passing the pub call in see the actual 'Roman Bath' which Jones describes as a 'vast stone-built installation, the father of all saunas and Turkish baths and used as only the Romans knew how, 1900 years ago'. |
Coming out of the Roman Bath and passing the Three Cranes pub cross Church Street again and enter (20) Silver Street. No picture this time as every attempt I've made to photograph it has been thwarted by burger vans and wheely bins! Nevertheless at the end of Silver Street you will find a very nice 14th and early 17th century building once known as the White Rose Cafe but now known as something else!! |  |
You will now be in the Market. Much smaller than it used to be but an interesting variety of stalls nevertheless. An excellent butcher and fishmonger are in more permanent residence. Browse the stalls if you wish and then tiptoe up (21) Little Shambles and on to the Shambles proper. (22-26) Finally leave the Shambles behind by turning down (27) St. Crux Passage. (Far right) |
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St. Crux Passage exits on to what citizens have come to know as York's shortest street with a long name, Whip-ma-Whop-ma-gate. Cross it but don't look right or you may glimpse one of the city's ugliest areas, Stonebow. (Right) How this was allowed to happen in our ancient city is another story. Crossing Whip-ma-Whop-ma-gate from St Crux Passage you will now be in St. Saviourgate. |
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The church of St Saviour has now been converted into an exhibition centre for DIG York. What makes DIG York so special is that it not only exhibits items from as far back as Roman, Viking and Medieval times DIG York actually asks you to get involved. Perhaps some other time. Take first right into (28) Hungate again a rather ugly Snickelway and then cross Stonebow. Keep your eyes open this time as it's a busy road. |
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Walking back along Stonebow towards the city centre and before reaching the junction with Fossgate bear left into (29) Blackhorse Passage, an ancient alley. The wall on the right being the remains of a Carmelite Priory |
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Following past the edifice which is the BT Building will bring you to a pleasant Snickelway (30) Foss Bridge Reach. Have a rest and take it easy for a while in the tranquil setting. |
Leave the quiet of the river back past the BT building and stroll down (31) Straker's Passage and find yourself in Fossgate. Bear right and then left into (32) Cheats Lane. |
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(32) Cheats Lane (seen left) seems to be going nowhere but keep on and you will find on the right the beautiful (33) Lady Peckett's Yard. (See below) |
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The peace and quiet of Lady Peckett's yard will be shattered as you leave and find yourself in Pavement with its' buses, cars and lots of people Turn left out of the Yard and then right into Parliament Street. A short walk up Parliament Street and a first left turn will find you in Market Street. |
Turn first left in Market Street and this is Peter Lane. Continue an down and pass through the 34th Snickelway (34) Le Kyrk Lane. It gets very narrow so it's best to ensure that no one is coming the other way before you start! Jones tells us that it was once a Medieval Common Lane although there is little sense of the medieval these days! |
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Back out into the light once more and cross High Ousegate. Pass the pretty church of All Saints, with its' lantern tower, via (35) All Saints Passage. (See right) This photo is actually the wrong way round in so far as you would enter from the far end. |
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The next Snickelways cover the Coppergate shopping area and the Castle. In order below are (36) St. Mary's Square, (37) Foss-side Walk and (38) York Castle and finally as you leave the Castle cross Tower Street and enter (39) St. George's Field |
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Now for a pleasant walk along the River Ouse. Turn right out of St. Georges Field and head along (40) South Esplanade. and further on to (41) King's Staith perhaps breaking your walk at the Kings Arms (formally The Ouse Bridge Inn) if the river isn't in flood! |
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If you are keen to follow Jones exactly climbing the steps next to the pub takes you on to Low Ousegate. Cross over and follow the horseshoe made up of (42) Ouse Walk, (43) Fish Landing and (44) Church Lane. It must be admitted that they don't exude much charm so you might instead miss them out, walk up Low Ousegate and on to High Ousegate |
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Take a left turn into (45) Pope's Head Alley which will take you back to Peter Lane. Exit Peter Lane and walk up Feasegate and find yourself back in St. Sampson's Square. Cross the square but before you get to Finkle Street, (remember (19) Finkle Street a long time ago!) turn left down (46) Nether Hornpot Lane |
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Out of Nether Hornpot Lane and into Back Swinegate turning right at the end into (47) Little Stonegate. (Below left) |
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I guess that if you have stuck with the book you'll be quite tired by now but one last push takes you to Stonegate, St. Helen's Square and on to Coney Street. Bear right beside the beautiful 15th century St. Martin's Church and you arrive at the final Snickelway which Jones names (48) Beyond the Screen with views of Lendal Bridge and All Saints Church across the river. Back to Coney Street, along Lendal, Museum Street, Duncombe Place and High Petergate brings you all the way back to the start. |
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Following some or all of the route outlined in Jones' book will provide you with surprising and attractive views of our city from locations that many will pass by. You may have sore feet but I'm sure that you will find the journey worthwhile. |
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