City of York Council are undertaking a review of the “Customer Experience on the Walls of York”, led by two students from York St John University on an internship programme.
Alyesha Marshall and Jules Hiraeth have devised a visitor survey, which you can access via the link link below. If you would like to respond, they would really appreciate it.
Thank You.
Updated 6th August 2026 AF
Step into Nature and History within York’s Walls
On Saturday, 1st August 2026 FPT was open as part of the event “Step into Nature and History within York’s City Walls”.
This is a series of linked events around the walls as part of the Council for British Archaeology Festival ‘Archaeology and Nature’, and it is Yorkshire Day. St Nick’s are coordinating things.
Our FOYW contribution is to have a table outside FPT where visitors can plant a wildflower seed in a pot and take it away, plus identify wildflowers growing on the ramparts. We will be explaining our laboratory on the ramparts and telling people about the archaeology of the walls and tower. Also we will be setting a moth trap and a Ranger from St Nick;’ will be present to help identify the ‘catch’.
We are operating from 10 am to 4 pm so feel free to call in, or help!
Our next scheduled Open Day is on Saturday 8th August. Come along and visit us, or volunteer. If you can spare some time to help it would be great to see you.
PRESS RELEASE –
Step into Nature and History at Fishergate Postern Tower on 1st of August
This Saturday, Friends of York Walls are offering visitors to Fishergate Postern Tower the chance to sow pollinator-friendly wildflower seeds to take away.
This is part of the City-wide event “Step into Nature and History” to show how archaeology and nature can work together to create wildflower sanctuaries on the ramparts of the walls of York.
Visitors will have the opportunity to learn and recognise wildflowers which are out in August, and they will be able to sow a wildflower seed of their choice in a pot they make themselves out of recycled newspaper, and take it away to their own gardens. They will be able to see moths caught overnight on the ramparts, showing how wildflowers are attracting them in the dark, a complement to the daytime bees and butterflies everyone knows so well. Visitors will also be able to see historic prints showing the archaeology of the walls in this area (they were built on arches because the ground was so wet), about the portcullis which used to close the postern gate, and about mason marks which are 700 years old. They will also he able to visit the 500 year old Fishergate Postern Tower with its original spiral staircase and medieval garderobe (toilet).
Editor’s note –
The Friends of York Walls is a charity dedicated to educating the public about the walls and ramparts of the city. The walls are 700 years old but the ramparts are much older. They go back 2,000 years and are a significant engineering achievement in their own right. The Friends are experimenting with ways of helping wildflowers to grow on the ramparts so that they flourish in a natural way and don’t need expensive seeding and tending. The secret is to lower the nutrient content in the soil by cutting and removing the grass three times a year. They are now in year 2 of the five-year project.
Contact: Bill Hill, Chair, Friends of York Walls, email: billhill.torfaen@gmail.com, mobile: 07810 833625
Updated 6th August 2026 AF
Updated on 20th July 2026
Located @ Junction of Piccadilly and Lead Mill Lane YORK YO1 9AF
Climb the spiral staircase of this early Tudor tower, work the model portcullis and find a remarkably complete garderobe, masons’ marks, re-used roof beams and our displays, including brand new replicas reborn from fragments found in our recent archaeological dig.
Disabled Access (Partial – ground floor only)
These events are provided by volunteers of The Friends of York Walls. We are also looking for new Volunteers, new Committee Members and new Trustees. There would be no pressure for you to devote any more time or effort than you feel comfortable with. If you are interested, or would like to get involved, please pop along for a chat one open day or email us at friendsofyorkwalls@yorkwalls.org.uk
These opening dates of Fishergate Postern Tower are a part of our 2026 season. Check back here to see any updates or last minute changes !
For all 2026 open days please see HERE
To volunteer at any of our FPT Open Days please visit the LINK HERE and fill in the spreadsheet.
Our 2026 Information Leaflet (Issue 2 July 2026) is available HERE
FPT Information Flyer for 2026 is available HERE
Updated / Re-issued 20th July 2026 AF
The latest FOYW Summer 2026 Newsletter has just been published, and is available HERE
Contents include :
Editor’s Note (Oli Harrison)
Tribute to Simon Mattam
Fishergate Postern Tower Update
Christmas Tree Festival: Volunteers wanted!
Tower Deep-Dive: Tower 28 / Pepperpot Tower
Walls of the World: The Walls of Carcassonne
York: World Heritage Bid
Micklegate Bar: Proof of York
Volunteer with us !
Posted 10th July 2026 AF
