Monk Bar, York

Monk Bar is the tallest and most elaborate of York’s surviving medieval city gates. In medieval England, a “bar” meant a gate or barrier, with the word deriving from the idea of a barricade. The present gatehouse was built in the early 14th century as a self-contained fortress, with each floor capable of being defended independently.

Its defensive design is particularly impressive. An arch on the front supports a projecting gallery with “murder holes,” through which defenders could drop missiles or pour boiling water onto attackers. The gate also retains York’s only working portcullis, complete with formidable spikes. To see these features up close, pass beneath the heavy stone archway into the central passage and look up at the ceiling slots through which the portcullis could be lowered and missiles dropped through the murder holes.

Monk Bar later served a very different purpose: it was used to imprison unruly Catholics. Today, visitors can get a sense of the harsh conditions prisoners faced by squeezing into the cramped Little Ease Prison, tucked away inside one of the towers. Access is via the staircase located opposite the bar’s eastern wall.

The gatehouse previously housed a museum dedicated to Richard III, but it has since been transformed into a whimsical “history-meets-fantasy” specialty shop operated by local artisans.

Monk Bar is also an excellent starting point for exploring the York City Walls. The stretch between Monk Bar and Bootham Bar is particularly scenic, offering one of the most enjoyable sections of the historic wall walk and excellent views across York’s rooftops and streets. As before, the staircase opposite the bar’s eastern wall provides quick access to the ramparts.