On a city trek

YORK is one of the most photographed cities in the world, yet there are still nooks and crannies rarely visited by visitors and natives.

Hopefully, this circular walk will take you to some of the city's most famous tourist attractions yet give you a chance to view them in a different light. And you can take as long as you like on this trek, depending on whether you want to enjoy the delights of the outside of the attractions or spend a little time exploring them.

Start your walk from York Station and you'll soon encounter the statue of George Leeman. George who? Leeman was a railway engineer who was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time - when the Railway King, George Hudson fell from grace. Leeman, a much lesser light, picked up many of the accolades intended for Hudson, including the statue - although rumours have persisted for centuries that the statue is actually that of Hudson with Leeman's head superimposed to spare the blushes of the citizens of York, who had been horribly duped by the Railway King.

The next port of call, Museum Gardens, is well worth dawdling over. Home of the splendid Yorkshire Museum, the gardens are also blessed with the spectacular ruins of St Mary's Abbey and the wonderful Hospitium, a 13th century 'guesthouse' which has stood the test of time wonderfully well.

The King's Manor is a fascinating old building steeped in history. Once headquarters of the Council of the North, it played host to kings famous and infamous, including Richard III and Henry VIII, although the latter's visit in 1541 was not a happy one. While Henry toyed with affairs of state, his queen, Katherine Howard, toyed with one of his courtiers. Both went to the scaffold for their indiscretions.

As you wander up High Petergate, look at the quality of the ancient houses, one of which was home to Sir Thomas Herbert, a York citizen who had the dubious distinction of accompanying Charles I to the scaffold (although Herbert had the privilege of walking away again).

The Minster gardens not only give us a lovely view of the Minster but offer the delights of the former Archbishop of York's palace, which now houses the Minster library, and Minster Yard, a collection of well-heeled properties dominated by Treasurer's House.

Ogleforth may be less grand than Minster Yard but no less interesting. Well-heeled citizens have seen it as a sought-after address for centuries, reflected by housing styles that date from medieval to modern - and everything in between.

The Merchant Taylors' Hall in Aldwark is like Dr Who's Tardis - seeming much bigger and certainly more impressive inside than out.

St Saviourgate has a distinct religious flavour with churches - or former churches - representing three different denominations.

Finish off your walk with a stroll through North Street gardens, marvel at the ancient Guildhall and grasp something of the importance of the River Ouse to the city.

Directions:

1: From York Station turn left and head towards the traffic lights and the statue for railway pioneer George Leeman.

2: Turn left into Leeman Road and walk past the Sorting Office, turning right just before the railway bridge down the small footpath between the railway line and the Post Office sorting office. From the end of the lane, cross the river by the footbridge alongside the railway bridge and then turn right along the riverbank.

3: Turn left into Marygate and enter the Museum Gardens via the great gatehouse.

4: Exit the gardens by the footpath between the Yorkshire Museum and the Roman-built Multangular Tower which takes you past King's Manor to Exhibition Square. Cross the road and enter High Petergate via Bootham Bar and walk down here to the West Door of the Minster.

5: Turn left and enter the Minster Gardens by the gate in the railings and head diagonally across the park to the Treasurer's House.

6: Turn left into Ogleforth as you exit the enclosed gardens. Walk down the L-shaped Ogleforth to its junction with Goodramgate and cross the road into Aldwark.

7: Turn right just past the Merchant Taylors' Hall into St Andrewgate and left by the tiny St Andrew's Church into Spen Lane and then right 100 yards or so down the lane into St Saviourgate.

8: Turn left at the end of St Saviourgate into Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma Gate and then right into Pavement. Carry on straight ahead past All Saints, Pavement, up High Ousegate and then down Low Ousegate to Ouse Bridge.

9: Turn right over the bridge along the riverside walk to Lendal Bridge where a left into Tanners Moat and a walk up the hill past the Railway War Memorial and through the Bar Walls bears us left back to the station.

Factfile:

Parking: There are pay-and-display car parks close to the walk at Nunnery Lane, Esplanade. Marygate, Bootham, Lord Mayor's Walk, Shambles and Haymarket plus private (pay) parks in Piccadilly and Tanner Row.

Buses: Most York bus services call at either the Station or Pavement/Piccadilly. Askham Bar and Rawcliffe Bar Park & Ride drop off at several points around the route.

Refreshment: Spoilt for choice with pubs, cafes and tea rooms in abundance.

Dogs: If you want to bring your dog, it must be kept on a lead at all times and you must carry a pooper-scooper.

Click here to view a map of the walk