A new festival has revealed its final list of more than 50 York buildings that will be ‘unlocked’ and open for free – many of which are normally not open to the public.
York Unlocked is a brand new event that aims to explore behind locked doors and discover hidden secrets of some of York’s most iconic buildings.
Taking place on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 October, the unlocked buildings will include grand Georgian residences and Masonic lodges, with some buildings opening up areas previously off-limits or historically forbidden.
Some of the York buildings taking part in the event are Herbert House, The Guildhall, De Grey Rooms, Kings Manor, the Duncombe Place Masonic Lodge, Hudson Quarter, Monk Bar, Bootham School, Castlegate House, York Minster, Garforth House, Cumberland House, Bar Convent, and Bedern Hall.
Kathy M King, founder of York Unlocked, said: “York is packed to the rafters with history and intriguing buildings of all ages. We can’t wait to welcome visitors to discover these usually hidden gems and to explore their own must-see list from over 60 experiences on offer.”
The event has been organised on a non-profit basis with a team of six volunteers.
Organisers hope that the event will become an annual celebration for the city, with aspirations to unlock even more doors in future years.
Here are the buildings opening their doors during the festival.
Micklegate
- North Eastern Railway War Memorial Company
- Barker Tower (Perky Peacock)
- All Saints Church and Anchorhold
- St Martin-Cum-Gregory Church (Stained Glass Centre)
- Garthford House
- 92 Micklegate (York Conservation Trust)
- Holy Trinity Church
- Hudson Quarter
- Bar Convent
Bootham & Museum Gardens
- Bootham Bar Cafe (BeannGone)
- 8 Bootham (Janette Ray Bookstore)
- Bootham School
- 51 Bootham
- Assembly Hall
- Wandesford House
- St Olave’s Church & Churchyard
- Marygate Tower
- Museum Gardens Lodge
- Kings Manor
City Centre
- York Minster
- The Crypt
- Masons Loft
- Chapter House Roof
- De Grey Rooms
- York Explore Library & Archives
- Assembly Rooms 27. York Oratory (St Wilfrid’s)
- Masonic Lodge (No.236)
- Mansion House
- York Medical Society
- St Helen’s Church 32. The Guildhall
- St Martin-Le-Grand Church
- City Screen Picturehouse
- 48 Coney Street (TK Maxx) 36. Holy Trinity Church
Aldwark & Hungate
- Bedern Hall
- Monk Bar
- York St John University
- Quadrangle
- The Chapel
- Ice House
- Merchant Taylors’ Hall
- York Unitarian Chapel
- St Anthony’s Hall (Holy Trinity Church)
- St Anthony’s Garden
- Hiscox Building
- Central Methodist Church
Castle Area
- Pope’s Head Alley
- All Saints Church
- Quaker Meeting House
- Castlegate House
Walmgate Area
- Brew York Brewery
- St Denys Church
- Walmgate Bar
- Herbert House 57. Fishergate Postern Tower
- Spark
- St George’s Church
- Phoenix Inn
- Lady Peckett’s Yard
Multiple Entry Points
- York City Walls
For more information and to see the full programme, visit the York Unlocked website.
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