Burn, baby, burn: York’s Olympic Torch route in full

The Olympic Torch is in town today. But where? Our pictorial guide gives you all you need to know about the times and route of the flaming thing.

Scroll down for maps for today and tomorrow, and enjoy the burn. The torch starts its journey from York College, above. Details about the entertainment along the route is also included.



Today, Tuesday June 19

5.23pm Tadcaster Road and The Mount

Entertainment will start outside York College where the first torch bearer will begin the York relay at 5.23pm. Along its route, the torch will be serenaded by choirs including the York Philharmonic Male Voice Choir, and a special performance by visiting choral groups from Australia and the USA.

5.48pm Micklegate Bar

The council’s York Arts Academy Band, local scout bands and a number of Shepherds’ Brass Bands will play at points along the route, as will the Railway Institute’s Brass Band which has ‘The Grand Old Duke of York’ a favourite in its repertory.

5.56pm City Walls onto Lendal Bridge

Ringing a welcome through the city will be St Wilfrid’s peal from 4.45pm followed by York Minster’s carillon of 35 bells run after Evensong from 6pm – listen out for the theme tune of ‘Chariots of Fire’ from Hugh Hudson’s 1981 film.

6.03pm – 6.06pm Rougier Street, George Hudson Street, Micklegate, Spurriergate

Councillor Sonja Crisp of City of York Council said: “I’m delighted that those lining the route will have such a great programme of entertainment: our communities have really come together to make this a very special occasion.”

6.09pm Spurriergate / Coney Street onto St Helen’s Square

Will the Lord Mayor be there to wave the torch bearers on their way?

6.11pm Stonegate to Low Petergate and Kings Square

Road users this afternoon and tomorrow are advised to avoid the city centre and allow plenty of extra time for their journeys.

6.15pm Kings Square onto Shambles

The Daily Telegraph described Shambles yesterday as “formerly a meat market where hunks of flesh would have hung from beams, dripping into the gutters”. Let’s hope our torch bearers don’t get splashed.

6.19pm Shambles on to Pavement and Coppergate

You can follow the progress of the torch through York live on the official website, or via #YorkTorch on Twitter.

6.20pm Coppergate to Clifford Street / Tower Street onto Bishopgate Street

Greetings will be roared at the flame from Clifford’s Tower by a group of Vikings.

6.24pm Bishopgate Street, Skeldergate Bridge, Bishopthorpe Road

Bicycle bells will be rung by some 100 young cyclists and parents on their specially-decorated bikes as the Torch passes Knavesmire Primary School on Campleshon Road.

6.28pm Bishopthorpe Road to Campleshon Road to York Racecourse

All 24,000 free tickets for the celebrations at York Racecourse have been picked up. Singer-songwriter Katy B and street dance duo Twist & Pulse will welcome the final torch bearer to the main stage at York Racecourse at 6.50pm.





Tomorrow, Wednesday, June 20

7.44am York Minster, Duncombe Place onto High Petergate, under Bootham Bar

An early start as the flame prepares to exit York.

7.45am High Petergate, St Leonard’s Place, Museum Street

Goodbye City of York Council offices, goodbye Museum Gardens…

7.47am Museum Street, over Lendal Bridge and onto Station Rise

Past the former railway HQ, now the über-posh Cedar Court Grand Hotel.

7.50am Leeman Road into the National Railway Museum

The torch will board the Scots Guardsman locomotive to the sound of the Catterick-based Scots Guards band of bagpipes and drums before steaming north to continue its journey in Thirsk at 8.14am.