York has some of the best preserved city walls in Britain, and virtually the full circuit is open for people to walk round. The earliest walls were built by the Romans almost 2000 years ago, and parts of those walls can still be seen.
In medieval times a much larger area was enclosed by defensive walls, and it is part of that section of the walls that is in this shot. The walls were never a complete circuit, because there was an impassable swamp on the east side of the city, and south of that a low wall gradually gains in height as the ground becomes firmer to build on.
The walkway is considerably wider now than it was when the walls were first built. Proposals to demolish the walls in Victorial times were defeated, and the walkway was then widened to allow people to walk along it, and it is as popular today as it was when first opened over 150 years ago.
Thank you all for your comments and fav, it's good to hear from you all.
I must admit that it's really easy to take for granted the wonderful historical environment that is York city centre. It's a while since I walked the ful circuit of the city walls, mainly because I tend to avoid being in the city centre in summer when it is so busy with visitors - I have become a visitor and visited other less busy towns and cities this summer!
That's quite a way! On the day I took this shot I did the full circuit for the first time this summer. I tend to avoid it in summer because it is so busy - much nicer and quieter in winter, and when the leaves have fallen from the trees the views are better.
Ian
August 21st, 2016
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Thank you all for your comments and fav, it's good to hear from you all.
I must admit that it's really easy to take for granted the wonderful historical environment that is York city centre. It's a while since I walked the ful circuit of the city walls, mainly because I tend to avoid being in the city centre in summer when it is so busy with visitors - I have become a visitor and visited other less busy towns and cities this summer!
Ian
Ian
Thank you both for your lovely comments.
Ian
Thank you Kathy, glad it brought back memories. Did you get to walk all the way round the walls?
Ian
That's quite a way! On the day I took this shot I did the full circuit for the first time this summer. I tend to avoid it in summer because it is so busy - much nicer and quieter in winter, and when the leaves have fallen from the trees the views are better.
Ian