This weekend sees the return of the festival York Unlocked – where you can explore 76 buildings in the city for free.
The two day event aims to open up access to the fantastic buildings and open spaces in York that are often closed to the public, to encourage both residents and tourists alike to uncover hidden treasures and experience familiar places through fresh eyes.
York Unlocked takes place over Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 October.
It follows a hugely successful first year, which had an estimated 20,000 physical visits from visitors from all over the world.
New highlights for 2023 include Bishopthorpe Palace, the Archbishop’s Walled & Pleasure Garden, St Peter’s School, the Terry’s Factory Clock Tower and former HQ plus the Old Liquor Store in the restored Grade 2 listed former Terry’s Chocolate Factory, Holgate Windmill, St Mary’s Tower and the Minster Refectory.
This year also features a special Architecture of the Ouse cruise in collaboration with City Cruises and The Big Draw in collaboration with York Army Museum. Collect a sheet and sketch book from the museum and sketch the buildings you’ve seen – which will be entered into a digital or physical museum exhibition.
Kathy King, founder of York Unlocked, said: “York is blessed with a rich diversity of building gems and open spaces that all have amazing stories to tell.
“Maybe you’ve walked past for years on your daily commute and wondered what lies behind the door, or you are new to York and want to learn more about its rich history. This special event enables you to see familiar places through fresh eyes and explore these hidden treasures across one fabulous weekend.
“Whether you are an architecture buff with a tick-list of specific buildings or a family seeking to see the city in a different light, York Unlocked is guaranteed to inspire, delight and intrigue.”
Here are the buildings opening their doors during the festival.
For more information, visit the York Unlocked website.
Bishopthorpe Road & York South
- Bishopthorpe Gardens (Brunswick Nurseries)
- Bishopthorpe Palace
- Cameron Walker Court
- Kentmere House
- St Andrew’s Church
- St Chad’s Church
- St Clement’s Church
- Terry’s Factory Clock Tower
Bootham & Museum Gardens
- 8 Bootham
- Bootham Bar Cafe (Bean and Gone)
- Burton Stone
- King’s Manor
- Museum Gardens Lodge
- No. 1 Clifton – York
- St Mary’s Tower
- St Olave’s Church & Churchyard
- St Peter’s School
- Tempest Anderson Hall
- The Churchill Hotel
- The Star Inn the City
- Wandesford House
Castlegate & Walmgate
- All Saints, Pavement
- Brew York
- Castlegate House
- Fishergate Postern Tower
- Friargate Quaker Meeting House
- Lady Peckett’s Yard
- Pope’s Head Alley
- SPARK
- St Denys Church
- St George’s Church
- The Phoenix Inn
- Walmgate Bar
City Centre
- 48 Coney Street
- Assembly Rooms
- City Screen Picturehouse
- Coney Street Riverside Development
- De Grey House
- Holy Trinity, Goodramgate
- Jackson House: Quacks & PICA
- Minster Refectory
- Shrine of St Margaret Clitherow
- St Helen’s Church
- St Martin-Le-Grand
- The Guildhall
- York Explore Library & Archives
- York Lodge No. 236
- York Medical Society (23 Stonegate)
- York Oratory (St Wilfrid’s) & Garden
- York Theatre Royal
Holgate
- Holgate Windmill
- The Fox
Micklegate, Bishophill & Railway
- All Saints’ Church & Anchorhold
- Bar Convent
- Barker Tower (Perky Peacock)
- Garforth House
- Middletons
- North Eastern Railway Company War Memorial
- St Martin-cum-Gregory(Stained Glass Centre)
- St Mary’s Bishophill Junior
- The Ackhorne
- The Golden Ball
- The Grand, York
North East
- Bedern Hall
- Central Methodist Church
- Ice House
- Merchant Taylors’ Hall
- Monk Bar
- Peasholme House
- River Foss Cable Bridge
- St Anthony’s Garden
- St Anthony’s Hall
- St Saviourgate Masonic Hall
- Theatre 41
- Unitarian Chapel
- York St John University Chapel & Creative Centre