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Castle keep
Clifford's Tower
Ruined keep of York Castle on a mound, managed by English Heritage.
A mini guide to
Castle, Fossgate and Walmgate
Clifford's Tower, the Castle Museum and the streets along the Foss
Photos
1 / 6Welcome to the area
Clifford's Tower, the Castle Museum and the streets along the Foss
The south-eastern part of the old city is built around York Castle. Clifford's Tower stands on its mound beside the Castle Museum and the Eye of York, and Coppergate, where the JORVIK Viking Centre stands, leads towards Castlegate and Fairfax House.
Fossgate and Walmgate follow the River Foss east of the centre, with Merchant Adventurers' Hall, the Red Tower and Walmgate Bar on the way. It is quieter than the Shambles, with shops, bars and restaurants strung along Fossgate and Walmgate.
Highlights
Start here
If you only have a few hours, these are good places to begin.
Museum
York Castle Museum
Social history museum in former prison buildings beside Clifford's Tower, run by York Museums Trust.
Green space
Eye of York
Open grassed area between Clifford's Tower, the Castle Museum and the Crown Court.
Historic house
Fairfax House
Grade I listed Georgian townhouse on Castlegate, open as a house museum.
Museum
JORVIK Viking Centre
Museum on Coppergate about Viking-age York, built around archaeological finds from the site.
Guild hall
Merchant Adventurers' Hall
Medieval guildhall on Fossgate, used by the Company of Merchant Adventurers of the City of York.
Directions Website Report a problem with Merchant Adventurers' Hall
Find your way
On the map
The map shows Castle, Fossgate and Walmgate and the streets around it. The Getting there page lists nearby stops and stations.
Insider tips
Before you go
1
Check Clifford's Tower
English Heritage manages Clifford's Tower, and its page lists current opening and any closures, including closures for bad weather.
2
Museums
York Museums Trust runs the Castle Museum. Its website lists current exhibitions and opening arrangements.
3
Merchant Adventurers' Hall
The hall's website gives opening information and events. It is a short walk from the Shambles along Fossgate.
4
Walls near the Foss
Walmgate Bar and the Red Tower are on the eastern walls. The council's page lists closures of the wall walk.
Tips from the Britlens editors
Explore this guide
Everything for Castle, Fossgate and Walmgate
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Micklegate Bar, the pubs of Micklegate and the shops of Bishopthorpe Road
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Station and Museum Gardens
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Open the mini guide →Photo credits
- Castle, Fossgate and Walmgate (area photo): Steven Fruitsmaak, Public domain, source
- Clifford's Tower: bryan..., CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- York Castle Museum: Jitka Erbenová (cheva), CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Eye of York: DS Pugh, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Fairfax House: Malcolmxl5, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- JORVIK Viking Centre: No machine-readable author provided. CambridgeBayWeather assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY 2.5, source
- Merchant Adventurers' Hall: Malcolmxl5, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Fossgate: Drkirstyross, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Foss Bridge: Tilman2007, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Walmgate Bar: Chabe01, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Red Tower: Harry Mitchell, CC BY 3.0, source
- St Denys' Church: GuillaumeTell, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Fishergate Bar: Chabe01, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Micklegate and Bishopthorpe Road: Tim Green, CC BY 2.0, source
- Station and Museum Gardens: Tim Green from Bradford, CC BY 2.0, source
- Minster Quarter: Chris Gorringe, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- The Shambles and Stonegate: Paul Buckingham, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
Keep exploring York