The doors will be thrown open to 70 buildings this month for York Unlocked 2023. Here’s a few to whet your appetite for a bit of stylish snooping...
The unique two-day day event opens up magni昀椀cent buildings and green spaces in the city that are often closed to the public. It aims to encourage residents and tourists to uncover hidden treasures and see familiar places through fresh eyes.
York Unlocked 2023 follows a successful first year in which an estimated 20,000 physical visits were made to 60+ buildings.
Favourites from 2022, including the Assembly Rooms, Duncombe Place Masonic Lodge and King’s Manor, are back on this year’s programme along with a wealth of new-for-2023 buildings, spanning historic to modern times. This year’s event will also feature a special Architecture of the Ouse cruise in collaboration with City Cruises and new ‘insider tours’.
Kathy M King, founder of York Unlocked, explains: ‘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.
‘Whether you are an architecture bu昀昀 with a tick-list of speci昀椀c buildings or a family seeking to see the city in a di昀昀erent light, York Unlocked is guaranteed to inspire, delight and intrigue.’
October 7-8, york-unlocked.org.uk
The Grand, York Station Rise
Built in 1906 for the North Eastern Railway Company. Designed by William Bell and Horace Field. Described as ‘Palace of Business.’ In 2010 it became York’s 昀椀rst 昀椀ve-star hotel. Grade II* listed.
Tours Sat & Sun: 10am & 1pm (book online).
CAMERON WALKER COURT
An almshouse on Bishopthorpe Road (below), created at bequest of Charles Cameron Walker Estate. Opened 1912, a total of 18 homes were built for residents within a 10-mile radius of York central Post O昀케ce. Sat: 10am-2.30pm.
CITY SCREEN PICTUREHOUSE
In Coney Street, this is the former Evening Press and Yorkshire Herald offices. An Arts Council-funded redevelopment, by architects Panter Hudspith created the cinema, bar and restaurant complex which opened January 2000. Sat & Sun: 10am-4pm.
BREW YORK WALMGATE
A 10-barrel craft brewery, tap room, and extensive brew hall, founded 2016. One of two warehouses, previously Victorian maltings building. Yard overlooks River Foss. Awarded Within the Walls Pub of the Year 2018. Sat & Sun: noon onwards.
A PEEK INSIDE
Inside the Bishop’s Palace
The stunning Bishopthorpe Palace is the rightly grand residence of the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell. Originally built in 1241 by Archbishop Walter de Grey, it was later do
