What You Will Do
Take the plunge on the York Water Walk as we dive into York's amazing aquatic history. We'll explore how water - from rivers and lakes to distant seas and ancient ice sheets - has shaped the city over thousands of years. We'll find out how to bridge a river with a river, meet the teetotaller who learnt that beer could be better than water, and even do a bit of unicorn-hunting. On the York Water Walk, you'll be sure to make a splash!
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Itinerary
Meeting Point
We start the York Water Walk by the Yorkshire Museum sign near the Multangular Tower in York Museum Gardens.
1
St. Mary's Abbey
5 minutes
In the ruins of St Mary's Abbey, we'll learn why Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries didn't work quite so well in York.
2
Marygate
10 minutes
We'll leave Museum Gardens and walk down Marygate to the River Ouse. At Marygate Landing we'll learn of the river's importance to mediaeval trade, and how fisher-monks caused trouble to the city. We'll also ask how an Ice Age deer ended up at the bottom of a swimming pool...!
3
Lendal Bridge
5 minutes
In the shadow of Lendal Tower we'll admire Lendal Bridge, and learn about ferrymen, river-chains, and the water engineer who got immortalized in a Kaiser Chiefs song.
4
North Street Gardens
10 minutes
After crossing Lendal Bridge, we'll descend into North Street Gardens to see where (and why) the Romans crossed the River Ouse. We'll also learn why beer was better than water, play the ever-popular guessing game of "Ouse Who?" and listen out for the sound of the Viking recorder.
5
Ouse Bridge
5 minutes
How can you cross a river with a river? And what's the best bar in York? On the York Water Walk you'll learn the answers to both these questions!
6
King's Staith
10 minutes
After crossing the Ouse Bridge, we'll meander along the waterfront at King's Staith, discussing floods, docks, and why the Kings of England probably didn't take their boat to King's Staith.
7
Skeldergate Bridge
10 minutes
Traffic on the River Ouse is relatively quiet these days, but at Skeldergate Bridge we can imagine York in its heyday as a tidal port, and discuss why this area was so important to William the Conqueror.
8
Tower Gardens
5 minutes
You can't offer a York Water Walk without talking about floods, and Tower Gardens is the perfect place to do it, especially with the motte and bailey of Clifford's Tower to admire too.
9
Fishergate Postern Tower
10 minutes
Leaving the River Ouse behind, we'll turn our attention to York's second river, the Foss. Crossing Castle Mills Bridge we'll stop at Fishergate Postern and learn about waterfalls and ditches, King's fishponds, and why not to stand beneath a garderobe.
10
St. Deny's Church
10 minutes
From Fishergate Postern we'll move round to St Denys Church to hear about fishmongers, hydrophobia, and subsidence, before moving on to our final stop by the Merchant Adventurers' Hall on Piccadilly.
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