The only remains of York Castle's 14th century south gate are the foundations and part of the 12 feet deep drawbridge pit. The rest was demolished circa 1701-1708.

Image 1

Photo as per caption. Opens larger version.
The foundations and drawbridge pit of York Castle's south gatehouse (foreground), with the South Angle Tower and part of the Inner Bailey Wall beyond. Part of the Debtors' Prison clock tower is also visible (top-right).

Image 2

Photo as per caption. Opens larger version.
A close-up view of the exposed gatehouse foundations and drawbridge pit, with grazing Canada Geese in the foreground.

York Castle's south gate was constructed during the 13th century, at the same time as Clifford's Tower and the Inner Bailey Walls.

The south gate is believed to have remained in use until the middle of the 16th century. It was blocked-up either before or during the Civil War.

The gateway was demolished at some point between 1701 and 1708 to facilitate the building of a new County Gaol (the building now known as the Debtors' Prison). However, the partially excavated gatehouse foundations and adjacent drawbridge pit are still visible and they are best viewed from nearby Tower Street.

Some of the stone from the demolition of the gatehouse was used to infill the gap in the Inner Bailey Wall and the join is still clearly visible in Image 1 (slightly to the left of the Debtor's Prison clock tower).