York City Walls (Southwest)

The southwestern section of York's defensive City Wall runs from York Castle to Barker Tower via Bitchdaughter Tower, Micklegate Bar and Toft's Tower.

This part of the Wall Walk offers spectacular views of York Minster (see Images 6, 7 and 8) and the section between Micklegate Bar and Barker Tower is extremely popular with visitors.

General views of the Walls

Image 2

Photo as per caption. Opens larger version. — The City Wall near Tower 2 (top-left). The trees beyond the wall at the top of the image are growing on Baile Hill.

Image 3

Image 4

Image 5

Image 6

Image 7

Image 8

Key locations associated with this section of the City's defences

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Map

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1	Skeldergate Wall Walk Access Tower This octagonal stone tower was constructed in 1878 when the adjacent section of York's City Wall was demolished to facilitate construction of Skeldergate Bridge.
2	Baile Hill (aka The Old Baille) During the 11th century, York boasted two 'motte and bailey' fortifications, one on each side of the River Ouse. Baile Hill is the motte of the western one.
3	Tower 03 (aka Bitch-daughter Tower) Bitch-daughter Tower on the south corner of York's City Walls has been used as a defensive corner tower, a gaol, a Civil War watch tower and a 'cow house'. Read more
4	Chess Board Carving on Wall Walk A chess board has been carved onto a paving slab that forms part of the walkway along the top of the southwestern section of York's City Wall (near Tower 5).
5	Victoria Bar The central arch of Victoria Bar was inserted into a plain section of York's City Wall in 1838. During the work, the remains of an earlier gate were discovered. Read more
6	Tower 07 (aka Sadler Tower) The base of Tower 7 is believed to have been built circa 1250-60, which would make it one of the oldest surviving interval towers on York's City Walls. Read more
7	Micklegate Bar Micklegate Bar is the grand ceremonial entrance to the city of York. It has protected and controlled the city's southwestern approaches since the 12th century. Read more
8	Tower 13 (aka Toft's Tower) Tower 13 (aka Toft's Tower) protects a right-angled corner in the south western section of York's City Walls.
9	Railway Access Arches A set of three access arches were inserted into the City Wall by the York and North Midland Railway Company during the second quarter of the 19th century. Read more
10	Road Access Arches In 1874-6, two sets of archways were inserted into the city wall to provide pedestrian and road access between the city centre and the new railway station. Read more
11	Station Road Wall Walk Access Steps The steps were constructed in 1874, when the three adjacent arches were pierced through York's City Walls to provide access to the new railway station.
12	Station Road Wall Walk Access Ramp This access point was constructed circa 1863 as part of the Lendal Bridge construction works. It leads to / from one of the most popular sections of York's world-famous Wall Walk.
13	North Street Postern The triple arch beside Barker Tower dates from the Victorian period. It replaced an earlier small defensive gateway known as North Street Postern. Read more
14	Barker Tower (aka North Street Postern Tower) Barker Tower was built during the mid-14th century. The Leonard's Landing ferrymen lived here until 1863. Since then it has been a mortuary, storeroom and cafe (although not all at the same time). Read more

York City Walls (Southwest)

General views of the Walls

Key locations associated with this section of the City's defences

Map

Further reading