Go behind closed doors at over 50 York buildings and hidden gems as this annual festival returns.
York Unlocked is back for a third year – and is once again bringing exclusive access to historic buildings and places in the city on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 October.
The free event will give visitors the chance to discover sites that are normally closed to the public. Participating venues for 2024 include Bishopthorpe Palace, Terry’s Clock Tower, The Guildhall, and Herbert House.
In a new event for 2024, the Friends of York Art Gallery are opening up the Fine Art Store for a behind the scenes tour of their collection.
While most buildings offer general access, some do require booking. Tickets for these ticketed tours and buildings will be available from 10am on Saturday 7 September.
More featured events include a tour of York’s historic churches and pubs, and Conservation Crafts demonstrations such as wood carving and lime plastering.
Kathy King, founder of York Unlocked, said: “In our third year it’s a pleasure to bring something for everyone.
“Even if you’ve lived in York your whole life, this is a chance to see something new, or get behind a door you’ve always wondered about. It’s brilliant to see our city through new eyes, or get to a hidden place that you wouldn’t usually get to see.
“We’re very lucky that beautiful architecture is all around us, and our festival is a chance to celebrate that.”
To find out more, visit the York Unlocked website here.
Take a look at all the buildings taking part in this year’s festival.
Bishopthorpe Road and York South
1. Bishopthorpe Palace
2. Bishopthorpe Walled Garden
3. Cameron Walker Court
4. Kentmere House Gallery
5. South Bank Studios
6. St Andrew’s Church
7. Terry’s Factory Clock Tower
Bootham and Museum Gardens
8. Bootham School
9. De Grey House
10. King’s Manor
11. Mary Wandesford House
12. Museum Gardens Lodge
13. St Mary’s Tower
14. St Olave’s Church and Churchyard
15. The Friends of York Art Gallery Fine Art Store
16. The Hospitium
17. York Explore Library
Castlegate and Walmgate
18. All Saints, Pavement
19. Castlegate House
20. Grow It York
21. Herbert House
22. Spark York
23. St Crux Church Hall
24. St Denys Church
City Centre
25. Assembly Rooms (ASK Italian)
26. City Screen Picturehouse
27. Coney Street Riverside Development
28. Holy Trinity, Goodramgate
29. River House
30. St Helen’s Church
31. St Martin-le-Grand
32. The Guildhall
33. York Medical Society
34. York Oratory (St Wilfrid’s) and Garden
Holgate
35. Holgate Windmill
Micklegate, Bishophill and Railway
36. All Saints Church and Anchorhold
37. Bar Convent
38. Barker Tower (Perky Peacock)
39. Garforth House
40. St Martin-cum-Gregory (Stained Glass Centre)
41. St Mary’s Church, Bishophill Junior
42. West Offices
43. York Railway Station
North East
44. Central Methodist Church
45. Merchant Taylors’ Hall
46. Monk Bar
47. St Anthony’s Garden
48. St Anthony’s Hall
49. St Saviourgate Masonic Hall
50. Thin Ice Press
51. York Unitarian Chapel