The ghosts are back!
Celebrating York’s history as one of the most haunted cities in Europe, York BID brings you Ghosts in the Gardens for its fourth year.
The trail, which opened today, now hosts 45 wire mesh ghosts, in 20 locations around the city, compared to just 10 in its first year.
The tour will showcase seven new sculptures dotted around the city, including a stonemason at the Holy Trinity Church on Goodramgate, an executioner at the Bar Walls, and a beekeeper in St Olave’s Church.
YorkMix caught up with Carl from York BID, who told us a little bit about what makes this year different from the rest.
“It’s all about the history of York, we have the ghosts of Vikings, Romans, and Victorians, but we can now also explore the hidden history of York, which is really exciting.”
“So last year we introduced a bear, which is very random in York, but actually there used to be a menagerie at the museum gardens, and the bear used to escape every now and again, and I think one time, it chased the gardener, and that’s just an amazing story to have on your doorstep.” Carl revealed.
The Museum Gardens will be welcoming a very special new display, “We have a very long duck coming, which leans into some more of York’s recent history,” Carl told YorkMix. Any guesses as to who this could be?
When asked to reveal his favourite new addition, Carl decided on the train signaller, “it changes every year, but based on location, we just installed the train signaller at the train station this morning.
“All of the commuters were streaming in and out and nobody noticed the ghost, and that’s almost how it would’ve been if someone was working away in the past.” He said.
The venues and times for the trail are as follows:
- Museum Gardens – Museum Street Open daily 9am-6pm.
- Artists’ Garden – Access via Museum Gardens or through Exhibition Square via alley to the side of the art gallery. Open daily 9am-6pm.
- Edible Wood – Access via Museum Gardens or through Exhibition Square via alley to the side of York Art Gallery. Open daily 9am-6pm.
- Middletons Hotel – Cromwell Road. Open daily.
- Merchant Adventurers’ Hall – Fossgate. Open 10am-4pm.
- Treasurer’s House – Minster Yard. Open Sat-Wed 11am-4pm.
- St Anthony’s Garden – Peasholme Green. Open daily.
- Library Lawn – Museum Street. Open daily.
- Barley Hall – Coffee Yard. Always visible.
- Clifford’s Tower – Clifford Street. Always visible.
- DIG – St Saviourgate. Always visible.
- Castle Museum Mill – Tower Street. Always visible.
- The Judge’s Lodging – Museum Street. Always visible.
- Shambles. Always visible.
More information on the York BID website.