York's perimeter defences consisted of a wall (with towers) built on an earth bank beside a deep ditch. The ditch is now only visible to the north of the city.

Image 1

Photo as per caption. Opens larger version.
The city wall and associated daffodil-covered earth bank and ditch beside Lord Mayor's Walk. This photograph was taken from Tower 27, looking towards the southeast with Tower 28 visible part-way along the wall.

Image 2

Photo as per caption. Opens larger version.
The opposite perspective: this photograph was taken from the ditch near Monk Bar, looking towards Tower 27 and Tower 28. The slight dip in the earth bank below the City Walls marks the approximate site of the Porta Decumana (the northeast gate of the Roman fortress).

Practical Information

The best place to see the full combination of wall, bank and ditch is from Tower 27 (aka Robin Hood Tower) on the Wall Walk (see Image 1).