The centre-piece of College Green is a circular stone seat with a fluted Doric column rising through the centre, topped by a cubical sundial.

The seat is supported by four carved stone 'lions couchants' (the lions are depicted in a lying position, with the head raised and the legs tucked close to and below the body).

Image 1

Photo as per caption. Opens larger version.

The complete sundial and the associated stone seat on College Green. Note the 'lions couchant' supporting the seat. The building in the background (with the black & white timber-framed upper storey) is St William's College.

Image 2

Photo as per caption. Opens larger version.
A close-up of the sundial head. When the sub is shining, each metal pointer (known as a 'gnomon' or 'style') casts a shadow on its repsective face or 'dial'. The position of that shadow in relation to the numbers 'tells the time' (using Greenwich Mean Time).

The sundial was created in 1730 and was originally located in the grounds of Drakelowe Hall in south Derbyshire. The Hall was demolished in 1934 and, in the 1950s, a power station was built on the site (although that too has since been demolished).

The Friends of York Minster purchased the sundial in 1955 and gave it a new home on College Green.

The sundial is now Grade II listed and it is a popular place to sit and relax on a warm sunny day.