Fishergate Postern Tower is now opening on the previously planned 2020 dates for the remainder of the year (subject to any changes to Covid regulations).   The next openings are on the 3rd, 24th and 31st October,  from 10am to 4pm.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU, BUT PLEASE DO NOT VISIT THE TOWER IF YOU OR ANYONE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD HAS TESTED POSITIVE OR DEVELOPED SYMPTOMS OF COVID19 IN THE LAST 14  DAYS.

We have followed current Government Guidelines closely in assessing the risks of COVID 19 and as a result there will be changes to how we operate on open days to ensure we can open safely – for both our visitors and our volunteers.  These changes will be regularly reviewed and changed if necessary.

• Max group size: 6 people
• People from different households must maintain a social distance.
• Face coverings must be worn inside the Tower, unless exemptions apply.
• Visitors will be asked to provide their contact-details.

Groups will be limited to a maximum of SIX and we are restricting the total number of visitors in the building at any one time to 16 (i.e. an average of 4 per floor) and asking everyone to maintain social distance from other groups/individuals not with them in their party. Visitors waiting to go in will be asked to queue around the building observing the 2 metre distance markings on the paving stones under foot.

Within the building, there will be a one way system in which visitors on the way up stop off at each floor, staying clear to allow any visitors descending to pass down.

There will be a hand sanitiser outside the entrance which we ask everyone to use before entering. Please limit any unnecessary touching of surfaces or objects.  Please also note that Fishergate Postern Tower has no water supply -so there are no hand washing or toilet facilities available.

Volunteers will all wear face-masks. Visitors are also required to wear face-masks themselves (unless exemptions apply) and, in case anyone would like one, there will be a supply of face-masks available at the entrance for a donation in our donations bucket, or bring your own mask.

Please note that the number of volunteers on duty will be reduced and this means the level of First Aid support will be lower than usual.

A copy of our full COVID 19 Risk Assessment is available HERE on this site.

York’s City Walls have re-opened from 4th July BUT with a ONE WAY clockwise system in place.  Access up onto the walls at Fishergate Postern Tower will NOT be possible.    See separate posting for details.

FISHERGATE POSTERN TOWER WILL BE OPEN ON SATURDAY  18th  JULY from 10am to 2:30pm

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU, BUT PLEASE DO NOT VISIT THE TOWER IF YOU OR ANYONE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD HAS TESTED POSITIVE OR DEVELOPED SYMPTOMS OF COVID19 IN THE LAST 14  DAYS.

Preparations have now been completed ready to welcome visitors back to Fishergate Postern Tower from Saturday 4th July.

We have followed current Government Guidelines closely in assessing the risks of COVID 19 and as a result there will be changes to how we operate on open days to ensure we can open safely – for both our visitors and our volunteers.  These changes will be regularly reviewed and changed if necessary.

We are restricting our opening times so on Saturday 18th July we are open from 10 am to close at 2:30 pm. These times may change for future openings.

We are restricting the number of visitors in the building at any one time to 16 (i.e. an average of 4 per floor) and asking everyone to maintain social distance from other groups/individuals not with them in their party. Visitors waiting to go in will be asked to queue around the building observing the 2 metre distance markings on the paving stones under foot.

Within the building, there will be a one way system in which visitors on the way up stop off at each floor, staying clear to allow any visitors descending to pass down.

There will be a hand sanitiser outside the entrance which we ask everyone to use before entering. Please note that Fishergate Postern Tower has no water supply -so there are no hand washing or toilet facilities available.

Volunteers will all wear face-masks. Visitors are now requested to wear face-masks themselves and in case anyone would like one, there will be a supply of face-masks available at the entrance for a donation in our donations bucket, or bring your own mask.

Please note that the number of volunteers on duty will be reduced and this means the level of First Aid support will be lower than usual.

A copy of our full COVID 19 Risk Assessment is available HERE on this site.”

York’s City Walls have re-opened from 4th July BUT with a ONE WAY clockwise system in place.  Access up onto the walls at Fishergate Postern Tower will NOT be possible.    See separate posting for details.

FISHERGATE POSTERN TOWER –

will re-open with restricted numbers from Saturday 4th July with measures in place to comply with the latest Government Guidelines regarding the safety of our visitors, our volunteers, and members of the general public.  See separate posting for more details and the COVID19 risk assessment

YORK’S CITY WALLS –

are managed by the City of York who have announced that from Saturday 4th July all of the city walls will be open with signage indicating a ‘one-way’ clockwise system. These restrictions may well be changed if Coronavirus circumstances change.

The Walls will be open daily in a CLOCKWISE direction ONLY.  Information about the new one way system, including an “annotated zoomable map” is available at =  www.york.gov.uk/CityWalls 

ENTRY and EXIT ONLY points for the Elevated Wall Walk sections are as follows =

BOOTHAM BAR = ENTRY ONLY towards Monk Bar
MONK BAR internal steps = NO ENTRY = EXIT from Bootham Bar direction (except for access to Richard III Museum)
MONK BAR external steps = ENTRY ONLY towards Layerthorpe Bridge
LAYERTHORPE BRIDGE = NO ENTRY = EXIT from Monk Bar direction
RED TOWER = ENTRY ONLY towards Walmgate Bar
WALMGATE BAR north side = NO ENTRY = EXIT from Red Tower direction
WALMGATE BAR south side = ENTRY ONLY towards Fishergate Bar
FISHERGATE BAR east side = NO ENTRY = EXIT from Walmgate Bar direction
FISHERGATE BAR west side = ENTRY ONLY towards Fishergate Postern Tower
FISHERGATE POSTERN TOWER = NO ENTRY = EXIT from Fishergate Bar direction.
BAILE HILL = ENTRY ONLY towards Victoria Bar / Micklegate Bar
VICTORIA BAR = NO ENTRY = EXIT ONLY
MICKLEGATE BAR (SE side) = ENTRY ONLY towards Lendal Bridge (and access to Henry VII Museum)
MICKLEGATE BAR (NW side Bar Lane) = NO ENTRY = EXIT from Victoria Bar / Micklegate Bar
STATION RISE = NO ENTRY = EXIT ONLY
LENDAL BRIDGE / BARKER TOWER = NO ENTRY = EXIT ONLY from Micklegate Bar direction.
NOTE there is NO ENTRY at LENDAL BRIDGE / BARKER TOWER going towards Micklegate Bar.

This system is being undertaken as a trial, and will be monitored for comprehension and compliance,  with revision if necessary.

STAY AT HOME – and visit York’s Walls and Fishergate Postern Tower on-line –

York’s City Walls are CLOSED until further notice.

Fishergate Postern Tower is CLOSED until further notice.

The 2020 “York Walls Festival” organisers released the following statement on 24th March  2020 =

Statement – York Walls Festival 2020

“Like all groups organising events this summer, we are faced with the realism that ordinary life will be on hold for many months. Only yesterday the Bar Walls themselves were closed to help reduce the spread of Covid-19. Given it is nearly five months until the festival though, on August 15 & 16, there is also a hint of optimism that the worst may be over by then. Even as a small festival, the uncertainty over whether government restrictions will be in place makes planning difficult.

We will therefore keep the situation under review, but certain events due to take place outdoors like an archery event at Baile Hill and a theatre piece between Red Tower and Fishergate Postern Tower will be cancelled. Talks may be postponed or delivered as online videos. Indeed, the festival committee will see what activities we can take forwards online (at www.yorkwallsfestival.org and via Social Media), and look at developing resources to share our wonderful heritage more widely.

During the planning so far for this year’s festival, the committee have agreed on our vision and noted the audiences we are looking to attract. This will be posted on Twitter (@WallsYork) shortly.

As we scale back our 2020 plans, at least we can confirm our dates for 2021: Aug 14 & 15 next year. Updates regarding festival plans will be shared online. Finally, may the festival committee wish everyone well for the months ahead. Times will be hard, but everyday life will eventually resume, and we look forward to enjoying the City Walls with you when it does.