Image by Fingalo Christian Bickel on Wikimedia under Creative Commons License.

Bridges of York Tour, York (Self Guided)

York contains nine bridges across the Ouse River and fourteen smaller bridges across the Foss. Take this tour to discover the city’s most beautiful bridges.

How it works: Download the app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from iTunes App Store or Google Play to your mobile phone or tablet. The app turns your mobile device into a personal tour guide and its built-in GPS navigation functions guide you from one tour stop to next. The app works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walks in York

Guide Name: Bridges of York Tour
Guide Location: England » York (See other walking tours in York)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 7
Tour Duration: 2 hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 km
Author: val

1) Millennium Bridge

The Millenium Bridge was commissioned in 2001 with a formal ceremony. It is located in the south of York and links Hospital Fields Road in Fulford with Butcher Terrace on the South Bank. The bridge has a cycle path and footpath, and no pass for vehicular traffic. It is York’s number one attraction and has a wonderful view of the Ouse River.

Image by Steve F-E-Cameron on Wikimedia under Creative Commons License.

2) Blue Bridge

The Blue Bridge is located where the Ouse and Foss rivers meet. The original bridge on this site was built in 1738. The present bridge was built in 1895. Two Russian cannons, trophies of the Crimean War, once stood at each end of the bridge, but have since been removed.

Image by Tim Green aka atoach on Flickr under Creative Commons License.

3) Skeldergate Bridge

The Skeldergate Bridge connects York Castle on one bank to the old bailey at Baile Hill on the other. It is York’s second bridge of the Victorian era. It was built in 1880 by George Gordon Page and initially served as a toll bridge. On April 1, 1914 the toll system was abolished. It also served as a drawbridge until 1975.

Image by Johnteslade on Wikimedia under Creative Commons License.

4) Foss Bridge

The original wooden bridge over the Foss had a fish market on it. The present bridge, designed by Peter Atkinson, opened to the public in 1812. The Foss Bridge, which connects Fossgate and Walmgate streets, is famous for its Georgian grindstone arch with balusters. This unique feature is not found in any other bridge in York.

Image by Gordon Hatton on Wikimedia under Creative Commons License.

5) Ouse Bridge

The first bridge over the Ouse was built by the Romans and was replaced with a wooden one by the Vikings. In 1154, when people had gathered to honor St. William of York, the bridge collapsed, killing many attendees. It was rebuilt in stone, but winter floods of 1565 damaged the bridge. It was repaired and a central arch spanning 81 feet was added. The present bridge was constructed in 1821.

Image by Johnteslade on Wikimedia under Creative Commons License.

6) Lendal Bridge

The Lendal Bridge, a beautiful iron bridge designed by Thomas Page, connects Station Road to Museum Street. It was constructed in 1863 and is the earliest bridge erected in York during the Victorian era. It features two Gothic towers on each end: the Barker Tower on the west and the Lendal Tower on the east. When York had become more industrialized, the ferry service across the Ouse couldn't manage the increasing stream of passengers and the Lendal Bridge was built to satisfy public needs.

Image by Steve F-E-Cameron on Wikimedia under Creative Commons License.

7) Scarborough Railway Bridge

Scarborough Railway Bridge, built in 1845, was the second of the present bridges crossing the Ouse River. It carries the railway line between York and Scarborough. Initially it had a pedestrian path between the tracks. In 1875, the track was raised 1.2 meters and the path was moved to the south side, where it can be found today.

Image by Johnteslade on Wikimedia under Creative Commons License.

Walking Tours in York, England

Create Your Own Walk in York

Creating your own self-guided walk in York is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Historic Architecture of York Tour

With stunning architectural sites such as the Crown Court, the Merchant Adventurers' Hall, Thomas Atkinson's House, St. William's College, the Treasurer's House and the King's Manor, this city has much to offer. Take the following tour to discover York’s vast array of medieval and neoclassical buildings.

Tour Duration: 2 hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 km

York City Wall Tour

York’s city wall has remained intact since the Roman occupation. The city was named Eboracum by the Romans and referred to as Eoforvic by the Angles. To the Vikings, it was Jorvik and the Normans gave it the name York. Take this tour to discover the attractions along York's ancient city wall.

Tour Duration: 2 hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 km

City Orientation Walk

Established by the Romans as early as the 1st century AD, the walled city of York breathes history. York Minster, the 13th-century Gothic cathedral, Jórvík Viking Centre, and the National Railway Museum carry much legacy of the city's turbulent past, while the Stonegate street reveals York the way it is today. Follow this orientation walk to explore York in its variety.

Tour Duration: 3 hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.8 km

Pubs of York Tour

York Brewery has produced award-winning beers. In 2002, Centurion's Ghost Ale was the winner of the Brewing Industry International Awards. Its other year round beers are Yorkshire Terrier, Guzler, Constantine, as well as several marvelous seasonal beers. Take this tour to discover York’s finest pubs, where you can enjoy any one of these beers.

Tour Duration: 1 hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 km

Medieval Churches of York Tour II

Continue your acquaintance with York’s medieval churches, beginning with St. Helen's Church. Then visit St. Martin le Grand Church and many other fine old houses of worship. Take this tour to see more of York’s beautiful churches!

Tour Duration: 1 hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 km

Stonegate Tour, York

Begin your tour at Stonegate Teddy Bears and Tea Rooms. Acquire a teddy bear friend and enjoy a cup of wonderful Yorkshire tea. Go to the Wild Hart and buy a Country Heart for someone special. Other attractions include the Cat Gallery and the Printer’s Devil. Follow this guide to see the wonderful sites the Stonegate area has to offer.

Tour Duration: 1 hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.1 km

View all walking tours in York, England

Tips for Exploring City on Foot at Your Own Pace

Whether you are in York for a quick stopover or have a few days to see the city in more detail, exploring it on foot, at your own pace, is definitely the way to go. Here are some tips for you to save money, see the best York has to offer, take good care of your feet while walking, and keep your mobile device – your ultimate "work horse" on this trip - well fed and safe.

Taking Care of Your Feet

To ensure ultimate satisfaction from a day of walking around the city as big as York, it is imperative to take good care of your feet so as to avoid unpleasant things like blisters, cold or overheated soles, itchy, irritated or otherwise damaged (cracked) skin, etc. Luckily, these days there is no shortage of remedies to address (and, ideally, to prevent) these and other potential problems with feet. Among them: Compression Socks, Rechargeable Battery-Powered Thermo Socks for Cold Weather, Foot Repair Cream, Deodorant Powder, Shoes UV Sterilizer, and many more that you may wish to find a place in your travel kit for.

Travel Gadgets for Your Mobile Device

Your mobile phone or tablet will be your work horse on a self-guided walk. They offer tour map, guide you from one attraction to another, and provide informative background for the sights you wish to visit. Therefore it is absolutely essential to plan against unexpected power outages in the wrong place at the wrong time, much as to ensure the safety of your device.

For these and other contingencies, here's the list of useful appliances: Portable Charger/External Battery Pack, Worldwide Travel Charger Adapter, Power Converter for International Travel Adapter, and Mobile Device Leash.