York Observatory

York Observatory is situated in the Museum Gardens. It was built in 1832 and 1833 and is the oldest working observatory in Yorkshire.

The 4 inch refractor telescope within it was built by York man Thomas Cooke in 1850, and he went on to make the then-largest telescope in the world. It was installed in here in 1981 when the observatory was restored.

The Observatory also houses an 1811 clock which tells the time based on observations of the positions of stars. It was once the clock by which all others in York were set and is still always four minutes, 20 seconds, behind Greenwich Mean Time.

It is occasionally open to the public and is a fascinating place to explore.

More of it's history can be found at http://www.historyofyork.org.uk/themes/victorian/the-york-observatory

Ian

[Graham Thresher]

A super old building.

[Pyrrhula]

Great capture of this lovely old Observatory . Thanks for the interesting explanation .

[Gill W]

What a beautiful building and interesting read!

[bruni]

A great old building. interesting information about the Observatory.

[Malc Bird]

What a great story - must tell Toby @tobybird :)

[beezy]

Stunning building

[Toby Bird]

That's really cool :D

[Cathie]

What an interesting structure, Ian. Very nice!

[bkb in the city]

That is so cool

[Tony]

What a fascinating building and your usual signature text.

[Fisher Family]

@thresheg

Thank you Graham, glad you like it

Ian

[Fisher Family]

@pyrrhula

Thank you Ferry - it used to be hidden in the trees until the 1981 restoration when a new footpath was created beside it.

Ian

[Fisher Family]

@gillg

Thank you Gill, it's a fascinating building to look round.

Ian

[Fisher Family]

@bruni

Thank you Bruni - it's one of York's lesser known gems.

Ian

[Fisher Family]

@malc

Thank you Malc - if Toby is interested in history, there is an amazing array of things to discover here in York.

Ian

[Fisher Family]

@butterfingers1960

Thank you Beezy, it is a fascinating place.

Ian

[Fisher Family]

@tobybird

Thank you Toby, and thank you for the follow. We are following you in return. We look forward to seeing your view of York and hearing your thoughts on our photos.

Ian

[Fisher Family]

@cathieg

Thank you Cathie - it's a lovely little building and not very well known to visitors.

Ian

[Fisher Family]

@bkbinthecity

Thank you Brian, it's a fascinating little place to look round.

Ian

[Fisher Family]

@tonydebont

Thank you Tony, this is one of York's less well known historical gems.

Ian