Hidden Gems

Look up and around all the time when you’re walking through York – you will see little faces looking down at you, peculiar old signs, fascinating details on York’s old buildings. Take Monk Bar for instance. Perched on the two towers of the bar are six stone figures, all seemingly ready to rain down boulders on passers-by. Along Stonegate, at the entrance to Coffee Yard sits the bright red “Printer's Devil”, a carved sign that indicated the location of the print works up until the 18th century. The apprentices, who carried the hot plates, were known as the printer’s devils. The figure of an American Indian at 76 Low Petergate is the former advertising sign of the tobacconist – the boy’s kilt and headwear represent tobacco leaves. Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom, sits on the corner of Minstergates, leaning on a pile of books, to advertise the bookseller’s shop below, where authors and literary readers met as members of one of Britain’s earliest book groups.

York is crammed with museums, attractions, shops, restaurants, pubs and magnificent architecture. Here are a few which are less well known but every bit as deserving of the visitor's attention.

Micklegate Bar Museum – Micklegate

Often described as one of York’s best-kept secrets, this fascinating museum is a great starting-point for a walk along the city wall. Micklegate Bar has stood guard over the main road entering York from the London direction for around 800 years, and to this day royalty pass through this gateway when on an official visit. Traitors’ heads used to decorate the battlements, and the whole gory but colourful history of the place is told inside. Press contact: David Mason. For guided tours, call 01904 634436.

Richard III Museum – Goodramgate

Located in the imposing gateway of Monk Bar at the entrance to Goodramgate, this is the only one of York’s four Bars or gateways whose wooden portcullis is still in working order. The museum presents a reconstructed, modern day Trial presenting the case both for and against Britain’s most notorious King – was he an evil, hunchbacked monster who brutally murdered the “Princes in the Tower”, or a loyal, courageous ruler, unfairly maligned by historians? Make up your own mind. Tel: 01904 634191, email: info@richardiiimuseum.co.uk Website: www.richard3museum.co.uk

Bar Convent Museum – 17 Blossom Street

The history of Christianity in the north of England is explained in this charming museum housed in a Georgian building which is also a working convent, licensed café, gift shop and one of York’s most unusual guesthouses (fifteen bedrooms are available). The beautiful chapel was hidden in the centre of the building to avoid detection at a time when Roman Catholics were subject to persecution. The Bar Convent Museum is the oldest active convent in the country. Press contact: Jo Dodd, Tel: 01904 643238, email: info@bar-convent.org.uk Website: www.bar-convent.org.uk

Holy Trinity Church – Goodramgate

Adjoining Lady Row on Goodramgate – York’s oldest row of houses, is a little gateway that would be all too easy to miss, but leads to Holy Trinity Church, one of York’s finest medieval churches, hemmed in and hidden by buildings on all sides. In this secret garden of tranquillity, the ghost of Thomas Percy, Earl of Northumberland is supposed to wander, searching for his head – he was beheaded for high treason. The church escaped the 19th century reformers and has retained its original character, with box pews and medieval glass, including a stunning east window dating back to 1470.

St Mary’s Abbey – Museum Gardens

The statuesque ruins of St Mary’s Abbey lie in Museum Gardens, the grounds of the Yorkshire Museum. The picturesque setting has been used as a backdrop to open-air theatre on many occasions, including the York Mystery Plays. St Mary’s was once the most important Benedictine monastery in northern England.

Statue of Constantine the Great – Deansgate

The striking statue of an elegantly reclining Constantine complete with sword is positioned outside the Minster, a fitting reminder that a great Roman military headquarters once stood on this very site. Nearby is the single surviving pillar excavated from Constantine’s fortress.

Margaret Clitherow’s House – Shambles

This tiny Shambles house was home to butcher’s wife Margaret Clitherow, a Roman Catholic who sheltered priests from persecution. She suffered for her selfless bravery by being deliberately crushed to death beneath a door in 1586. The house is now a shrine to her memory, and one of the most peaceful and simple chapels in the whole of York.

Barley Hall – 2 Coffee Yard, off Stonegate

This meticulously restored medieval townhouse, right in the heart of York’s historic streets, was once home of Alderman William Snawsell, Goldsmith and Lord Mayor of York. Its remains were found behind centuries of buildings in the atmospheric ginnel Coffee Yard. Step back in time and discover what life was like for the Alderman and his family in the 15th century. Costumed guides or an audio tour – presented by York-born Judi Dench and Robert Hardy – fill you in on the building’s colourful history. Press contact: Sophie Foster, Tel 01904 610275, email: barley.hall@btclick.com Website: www.barleyhall.co.uk

Treasurer’s House – Minster Yard

A beautiful house, attractive gardens, welcoming tearoom – and some of the most famous ghosts in York. Originally the Minster’s Treasurer lived on this site; it was his responsibility to run the Minster efficiently. The present building dates from the late 16th century, and was a private residence, but the name stuck. It is now home to a magnificent antiques collection, and is run by the National Trust. And the ghosts? A company of Roman foot soldiers, who appeared through a cellar wall in 1953 – the terrified young plumber who saw them described their garb in meticulous detail – and experts later confirmed that the house is indeed built over a Roman road. Press contact: Jane Whitehead, Tel: 01904 624247, email: ythjfw@smtp.ntrust.org.uk

Mansion House

In the centre of York there's a hidden gem, a building rich in the city's history, and just waiting to be discovered. Behind it's imposing facade, through the blue door is a remarkable story of the Lord Mayors of York and their entertainment for the good of the city! Since 1725 the house has been the home of the Lord Mayors of York and houses one of the finest civic collections in the country, including fine silverware, clocks and furniture. Guided tours from July-December every friday and saturday at 11:00 and 14:00 lasting approximately 1 hour. Email: civicenquiries@york.gov.uk Tel: 01904 551051.

Merchant Adventurers’ Hall – Fossgate

The splendidly named Merchant Adventurers were one of medieval York’s most prestigious guilds. These were the overseas traders, the men who helped make the city rich, and their guildhall reflects their exalted status. The building is one of the best preserved of its kind in Europe, and has stood largely untouched for over 600 years. Press contact: James Finlay, Tel: 01904 654818, email: enquiries@theyorkcompany.co.uk Website: www.theyorkcompany.co.uk

York Brewery – 12 Toft Green, Micklegate

Take a tour of York’s award-winning independent brewery, to see each stage of the brewing process. Tasting of the end products – including Stonewall and the stronger Yorkshire Terrier – are of course included! York Brewery scooped the 2002 Champion and Gold Medal of the Brewing Industry International Awards, led by their popular strong beer ‘Centurions Ghost Ale’, which was named after a famous local ghost story. Press contact: Anthony Thompson, Tel: 01904 621162, email: sc@yorkbrew.demon.co.uk Website: www.yorkbrew.co.uk

York Cold War Bunker

New for 2006! Visitors are able to take a guided tour of a semi-submerged secret bunker on the outskirts of York. At the height of the Cold War, Britain had a total of 1,561 nuclear shelters, designed to withstand severe bombardment. The shelter was one of the best surviving examples of its type in the UK, and the first to be designated a Scheduled Monument. Now, complete with original fixtures and fittings, visitors can experience an atmosphere as authentic as that found in films such as the Ipcress File or the TV serial Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. Visits to the Bunker will be by pre-booked guided tour only. To make a booking please ring Clifford’s Tower on 01904 646940. Visit www.english-heritage.org.uk Press contact: Nicola Bexon, Email: Nicola.Bexon@English-heritage.org.uk

Ginnels

Lady Peckett’s Yard, Coffee Yard, Mad Alice Lane, Whip ma Whop Ma Gate. The names alone are irresistible. A network of ‘ginnels’ or alleyways winds through the historic core of York as it has done for centuries, each with a story to tell. You can explore almost the whole of the city centre using these medieval shortcuts. The Snickleways Guide to York, by Mark Jones, is on sale at York Tourist Information Centre.

King’s Staith

Nowadays a pleasant hopping-on point for boat-trips, King’s Staith was once a busy working quay. Plenty good pubs and cafes in the vicinity make this a great place for sitting and watching the world go by. River cruises supplied by YorkBoat.

Hidden Places to Stay

Blue Rooms at the Blue Bicycle

York’s most renowned restaurant has opened just two luxurious rooms, complete with Villeroy and Bosch bathrooms, steam showers, luxury kitchens, Bang & Olufsen hi-fi systems, goose-down quilts and pillows. What's more, breakfast is provided in the rooms by the Blue Bicycle chef. 4 Franklin's Yard, off Fossgate. Tel: 01904 673990, website: www.thebluebicycle.com

And for refreshment… try the bohemian Café Concerto on High Petergate, a wonderful little bistro serving excellent food and a good range of wines. Alternatively, next door is the Three Legged Mare, owned by the excellent, independent York Brewery and one of York's newest pubs, although much more traditional in its atmosphere than many of the more historic establishments. No jukebox, no pool table, no TV, no dartboard and no children! Tasteful, rough and ready furnishings and besides York Brewery’s own range, a good selection of Belgian beers.

Please note the information above may be subject to change.

For any further information and your free guide to York please contact: York Visitor Information Centre, Tel: 01904 550099, email: info@visityork.org or visit the website at www.visityork.org

Press contact: Kay Hyde, PR Manager - Visit York, Tel: 01904 554451, email: kh@visityork.org website: www.visityork.org