CYC are responsible for the care and maintenance of York’s City Walls. It costs over £500,000 annually to fund the maintenance of the City Walls, keeping them free and accessible for visitors and residents alike. This cost is solely borne by the City of York Council and, given the well-publicised financial situation all local authorities face, any donations received will go towards ensuring the walls remain open and free to access, as well as improving interpretation and signage.
The Friends of York Wall support this initiative to ensure that York’s City Walls remain free and accessible for all enjoy.
Fishergate Postern Tower was open on Saturday 31st May and on Saturday 7th June for two special bookable events as part of the York Festival of Ideas 2025
See York Festival of Ideas website and details HERE
BOTH events at FPT were FREE – but each person had to book a ticket in advance via EventBright.
Image credit: Alex Holland, University of York 2024
BOTH EVENTS HAVE NOW PASSED –
On Saturday 31st May – Event details were =
This event was designed for children and their families.
Adults wishing to explore the tower were encouraged to sign up for one of our ‘Medieval Masons’ Marks Tours‘ on Saturday 7 June.
Come along and hunt for medieval masons’ marks in the 500-year-old Fishergate Postern Tower. We know there are at least 81, so why not see how many you can find?
With three floors, a spiral staircase and an unusually complete medieval toilet – known as a ‘garderobe’ – there’s plenty for all the family to explore. Then watch a professional stonemason cut a mark on stone and, if you like, design your own!
Workshops run every hour from 10am to 3pm, so please sign up for the session of your choice.
Hosted by Friends of York Walls, these sessions are suitable for families only. Every person attending (children and parents/carers) needs to book an individual ticket as numbers are limited.
On Saturday 7th June – Event details were =
Hosted by Friends of York Walls, these sessions are suitable for adults only. (14+ ?)
Fishergate Postern Tower is unusual in having so many Medieval masons’ marks in good condition on its internal walls – 81 of them to date. Hear what current expert opinion is on their purpose and view them with torches on a guided tour.
Then watch a professional stonemason cut a mark on stone and, if you like, design your own!
Tours last one hour and will run between 10am and 3pm, so please sign up for the tour of your choice.
Hosted by Friends of York Walls, these sessions are suitable for adults only. Every person attending needs to book an individual ticket as numbers are limited.
Fishergate Postern Tower wil be open on Saturday 12th April from 10am to 4pm. FREE entry.
This date also marks the 2025 Sheriffs Army patrol, when they will visit FPT in the afternoon.
The Sheriffs Army event will be patrolling the York’s City Walls on the 12th April 2025, starting from the Mansion House at 2.00pm walking anticlockwise via Micklegate bar.
Sheriffs Army Patrol in 2023 at Fishergate Postern Arch. . .Photo Alan Fleming
Note that the time of the Sheriff’s Army Patrol’s arrival at FPT is likely to be between 2.30 pm and 3.00pm – NOT in the morning as last year.
We intend to dress FPT up with flags, bunting, etc.. FOYW Volunteers also hope to be dressed in suitable medieval costume to greet The Sheriff and his supporting Army Patrol. The option to be dressed up is up to our volunteers – so do come and support this special opening.
Sheriffs Army Patrol in 2023 at Fishergate Postern Photo Alan Fleming
In Memory of Councillor Ian Gillies, who served as Lord Mayor of York for the 2014/15 civic year.
During his term in office Ian supported many of the Friends of York Walls activities, including promoting the “Walking Guide to York’s City Walls” book.
Aged 78, he has died just over a fortnight after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. Mr Gillies had been a Conservative councillor for Rural West York, for 12 years when he retired in 2019, twice serving as Conservative group leader, and also as City of York Council leader. A funeral service is set to be held on Friday, December 27 at 11.30am at All Saints’ Church in North Street in York city centre.
