A unique and free festival that ‘unlocks’ York buildings ordinarily closed to the public is returning for 2023 – and it’s bigger and better than before.
York Unlocked opens up some of the city’s most magnificent buildings and spaces in an aim to help residents and tourists discover hidden treasures and experience these familiar places through a new perspective.
It follows a hugely successful first year in 2022, in which an estimated 20,000 visits were made to over 60 buildings across York – with visitors coming from all over the country and even from as far as Australia and the USA.
York Unlocked will return for 2023 on the weekend of 7 and 8 October 2023.
For this year’s festival around 70 buildings will be throwing open their doors. Favourites from 2022 – including the Assembly Rooms, Duncombe Place Masonic Lodge and King’s Manor – are back on this year’s programme along with many new for 2023 buildings.
New highlights include Bishopthorpe Palace, the Archbishop’s Walled & Pleasure Garden, St Peter’s School, St Mary’s Tower and the Minster Refectory.
Also new for 2023 is a special ‘Architecture of the Ouse’ cruise in collaboration with City Cruises and new insider tours.
York Unlocked is a registered charity and the event is run entirely by volunteers, and has received funding from York BID, the Dulverton Trust, RIBA Yorkshire and the York Common Good Trust.
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Founder of York Unlocked, Kathy M King, explains: “York is blessed with a rich diversity of building gems and open spaces that all have amazing stories to tell.
“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.”
2023 Buildings confirmed so far
- 48 Coney Street
- Assembly Rooms
- Bar Convent
- Bedern Hall
- City Screen Picture House
- Coney St Riverside Development
- De Grey House
- Peasholme House
- Holy Trinity, Goodramgate
- Jackson House : Quacks & PICA
- Minster Refectory
- Shrine of Margaret Clitherow
- St Helen’s Church
- St Martin Le Grand
- York Explore Library & Archives
- York Lodge no 236
- York Medical Society
- York Oratory – St Wilfrids
- York Theatre Royal
- St Anthony’s Hall
- Theatre 41
- York Bar Walls
- All Saints Church & Anchorhold
- Barker Tower (Perky Peacock)
- Garforth House
- Middletons
- North Eastern Railway War Memorial
- St Martin cum Gregory – Stained Glass Centre
- St Mary’s Bishophill Junior
- The Ackhorne
- The Golden Ball
- The Grand, York
- Central Methodist Church
- St Saviourgate Masonic Hall
- Merchants Taylor Hall
- Monk Bar
- River Foss Cable Bridge
- St Anthonys Garden
- Theatre 41
- Unitarian Chapel
- YSJ Uni Chapel
- YSJ Creative Centre
For more information and to see the list of buildings and events so far for the 2023 festival, visit the York Unlocked website. The full programme will be finalised in August.
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