York Water Walk: Explore York's Aquatic History and Its Unique Influence on the City
5.0
5 Ratings
York
Dive into York's aquatic history on the York Water Walk. Discover how water has shaped the city over thousands of years and uncover fascinating stories along the way. Make a splash and join us now!
Duration:
2 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- St. Mary’s Abbey - In the ruins of St Mary’s Abbey, we’ll learn why Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries didn’t work quite so well in York.
- Marygate - We’ll leave Museum Gardens and walk down Marygate to the River Ouse. At Marygate Landing we’ll learn of the river’s importance to mediaeval trade, and how fisher-monks caused trouble to the city. We’ll also ask how an Ice Age deer ended up at the bottom of a swimming pool…!
- Lendal Bridge - In the shadow of Lendal Tower we’ll admire Lendal Bridge, and learn about ferrymen, river-chains, and the water engineer who got immortalized in a Kaiser Chiefs song.
- North Street Gardens - After crossing Lendal Bridge, we’ll descend into North Street Gardens to see where (and why) the Romans crossed the River Ouse. We’ll also learn why beer was better than water, play the ever-popular guessing game of “Ouse Who?” and listen out for the sound of the Viking recorder.
- Ouse Bridge - How can you cross a river with a river? And what’s the best bar in York? On the York Water Walk you’ll learn the answers to both these questions!
- Skeldergate Bridge - Traffic on the River Ouse is relatively quiet these days, but at Skeldergate Bridge we can imagine York in its heyday as a tidal port, and discuss why this area was so important to William the Conqueror.
- Tower Gardens - You can’t offer a York Water Walk without talking about floods, and Tower Gardens is the perfect place to do it, especially with the motte and bailey of Clifford’s Tower to admire too.
- Fishergate Postern Tower - Leaving the River Ouse behind, we’ll turn our attention to York’s second river, the Foss. Crossing Castle Mills Bridge we’ll stop at Fishergate Postern and learn about waterfalls and ditches, King’s fishponds, and why not to stand beneath a garderobe.
- St. Deny’s Church - From Fishergate Postern we’ll move round to St Denys Church to hear about fishmongers, hydrophobia, and subsidence, before moving on to our final stop by the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall on Piccadilly.
What's Included
- PhD-qualified tour leaders with unique expertise
Additional Information
Embark on the York Water Walk to uncover York’s impressive history linked to water. We will discover how various forms of water - encompassing rivers, lakes, vast oceans and prehistoric ice sheets - have moulded this city for numerous centuries. We will learn the technique to span a river using another, get familiar with the abstainer who discerned that beer could supersede water, and perhaps set off in search of unicorns. Undoubtedly, the York Water Walk promises an awe-inspiring adventure!
Location
Museum Gardens
Museum Street
We start the York Water Walk by the Yorkshire Museum sign near the Multangular Tower in York Museum Gardens.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(5 Ratings)
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Tracey_c
May 6, 2024
Informative - Lots of interesting facts and things to see, my favourite being the John Snow plaque. My friend and I were the only ones on the tour so we had the added bonus of visiting Dick Turpins grave.
Review provided by Viator
Chrisax6583wo
Apr 14, 2024
Info you'll never find out for yourself on the history of York - We did the Water Walk yesterday having done the Earch Walk in October. Both with the PLACE organisation. We throughly recommend the Walks done by very knowledgeable guides. They detail extensive info that you'll never find out for yourself on the history of York. Well worth it. We'll have to do the other tours.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
John19482016
Jun 11, 2023
York walking tour - We did this tour with Dr Rogerson today and thoroughly enjoyed it. If you want to know a little more about York I would recommend this walking tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
I5649wddavidb
Jun 8, 2023
River Walk - A fascinating 2 hours introduction to the Rivers Ouse and Fosse and their impact upon the development of the city from Roman times to the present day. Aspects of history, commerce, archaeology and building construction were presented by Simon, our tor guide, to a remarkable depth; a history lesson full of interesting facts and amusing stories delivered with some humour.
A really enjoyable experience; the only way to really appreciate this historic city.
Many thanks.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Elizabeth_darcy
Feb 17, 2023
Fresh facts and a fun time - Really enjoyed this tour of York which goes off the beaten track - quite literally - to the normal ghost tours. Loved learning how the geology and geography of York has affected its history. Liam was a really engaging guide, with the perfect mix of enthusiasm and humour. You'll never look at cobblestones in quite the same way again!
PS Also appreciated how Liam skilfully grouped people to stand away from main thoroughfares and not block the road. I wish every tour guide was as mindful of this.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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