Be careful people… the ghosts are back!
And this year there are more of them than ever. A total of 39 ghosts are haunting York’s streets, river banks, gardens – and even the city’s castle.
It’s the return of the phantasmagorical Ghosts In The Gardens – the spookiest trail this side of Transylvania.
Dreamed up by the York BID (Business Improvement District), Ghosts In The Gardens sees translucent 3D sculptures made of wire mesh pop up across the city.
First launched in 2021, the ethereal figures have grown in number and complexity in the three years since.
Most of the ghosts can be found in Museum Gardens again. But there are others to be discovered in brand new locations for 2023.
These include a figure throwing a bucket of slop from the first floor of Shambles. And a ghostly miller hauling a bag of grain at the back of the York Castle Museum.
The ghost with the best view is undoubtedly the archer, ready to launch an unearthly arrow into the air from atop Clifford’s Tower.
Ghostly details
- Ghosts In The Gardens runs from Saturday (23 September) to Saturday, 12 November
- Museum Gardens is open from 9am-6pm. Opening times for other venues vary – check online before visiting
- There are 13 venues and 40 ghosts altogether – check out the York BID website for a full list
Once again, the BID has partnered with York design agency Unconventional Design to create the amazing spooks.
“This year, we’ve got 40 ghosts in 13 different locations around the city,” said Carl Alsop, operations manager at the BID.
“There’s ten new sculptures this year. We’ve got a miller at the Castle Museum hoisting up a sack of grain which is great, using the building that already exists there and leading into that history.
“We’ve got an archer defending Clifford’s Tower from invasion. And we’ve even got a bear in Museum Gardens.”
Carl explained there used to be a menagerie of animals in Museum Gardens at the turn of the 20th century, including a bear – until it escaped!
