When looking at the front of Herbert House, there is a small arch on the right that looks to give access to the rear of the building, and doesn't look like it is for public use, but actually it is one of a large number of public paths, ginnels, alleys, collectively known as snickelways since a book was written about them a few years ago.
Stepping through the arch, a quite remarkable scene is revealed. On the left is an entrance to Herbert House, and beyond that the rear extension of it, with the Great Hall in the upper level.
So, this area is open to the public, and is known as Lady Pecketts Yard, providing an attractive route between the busy streets of Pavement and Fossgate, though I suspect that very few who pass the entrance know of its existence.
Not part of York Unlocked, but it is a hidden gem well worth a visit.
@illinilass Yes, it is in the city centre, across the road from the entrance to the Marks and Spencer store on a street called Pavement (so called because it was said to be the first street in York to be paved). It is also opposite the lower end of the Shambles, another medieval street.
Thank you all for your lovely comments, they are very much appreciated.
The word 'Snickelway' was the creation of local author Mark W. Jones in 1983 in his book A Walk Around the Snickelways of York, and is a portmanteau of the words snicket, meaning a passageway between walls or fences, ginnel, a narrow passageway between or through buildings, and alleyway, a narrow street or lane. It was quite controversial, with many locals prefering the traditional names for these narrow routes. The book is still available and is a great way of discovering some of York's hidden corners.
Ian
Thank you, I’m sure I’ve walked by it and didn’t realise! Might be there next week.
Thank you all for your lovely comments, they are very much appreciated.
The word 'Snickelway' was the creation of local author Mark W. Jones in 1983 in his book A Walk Around the Snickelways of York, and is a portmanteau of the words snicket, meaning a passageway between walls or fences, ginnel, a narrow passageway between or through buildings, and alleyway, a narrow street or lane. It was quite controversial, with many locals prefering the traditional names for these narrow routes. The book is still available and is a great way of discovering some of York's hidden corners.
Ian