182 - Moving anticlockwise from Micklegate Bar around York city walls, the next entrance through the walls is Victoria Bar.
Victoria Bar is a relatively recent addition to the city walls, which is why it looks different from the other more ancient gateways into the city. It was created in 1838 to improve access for traffic between Nunnery Lane, outside the walls, and Bishophill, inside the walls. The Bar was named after Queen Victoria whose coronation took place that year. The two side arches were added later as access for pedestrians as the main entrance became busier and road traffic increased.
This was not the first gateway here; when the grass rampart was removed to accommodate the new Bar, the remains of an older entrance were discovered. Blocked up and hidden for centuries, this was the Lounelith Gate mentioned in 12th century documents. Lounelith means ‘hidden or obscure gate’.
Interestingly, quite recently, and to reduce traffic in the residential area inside the walls, a raising bollard has been installed, so only local residents with an access card can use this Bar to enter the city.
Passed this many times, and I'm ashamed to admit I knew nothing of it's history, so once again,Ian, thanks, Just read that the old (and magnificent) clock in Coney St has been returned ----would love to see it !!
Thank you Carol. I've been doing a slow photographic wander around the walls which started with http://365project.org/if1/365/2012-07-30, I do sometimes get distracted for a few days by other things, but the tour continues....
Thank you - I must confess I knew nothing of the history of this Bar (except that it was Victorian), but there are new information boards close to the walls all way round which tell some fascinating history.
As for the clock, I was in Coney Street this afternoon and one of my tasks there was to get a shot of it. I saw it from a distance (I was outside WH Smiths) when I got sidetracked, and then had a senior moment, and I was home before I remembered. Still, It's a good excuse for another walk!
Thank you Ruth, the tour continues. I've always thought of this stretch of the walls as possibly the least inspiring, but I did see several interesting possibilities on today's walk.
Thank you Tony. There is a saying that In York "all the Streets are Gates, all the Gates are Bars and all the bars are Pubs". ‘Gate' is from the Viking ‘Gata' meaning a street; ‘Bar' is French ‘Barre' meaning a barrier or toll bar; and ‘Pub' is a Public House. I've already included several Bars in this tour, and many of the streets include Gate in their name - eg Gillygate, Goodramgate, Micklegate etc. I hope this helps!
Thank you Lynne - not only is it one car at a time, but beside where I was stood to take this shot, there are rising bollards which only lower for the cars local residents with an access card, which they swipe through a roadside machine to gain access. This has made the area much quieter for residents and has substantially reduced traffic.
@if1 Sure thing Ian. It is a bit like when I was learning English 60 years ago - the strange way that the same word can have a number of meanings. Thanks for taking the time.
Thank you Carol. I've been doing a slow photographic wander around the walls which started with http://365project.org/if1/365/2012-07-30, I do sometimes get distracted for a few days by other things, but the tour continues....
Thank you - I must confess I knew nothing of the history of this Bar (except that it was Victorian), but there are new information boards close to the walls all way round which tell some fascinating history.
As for the clock, I was in Coney Street this afternoon and one of my tasks there was to get a shot of it. I saw it from a distance (I was outside WH Smiths) when I got sidetracked, and then had a senior moment, and I was home before I remembered. Still, It's a good excuse for another walk!
Thank you Ruth, the tour continues. I've always thought of this stretch of the walls as possibly the least inspiring, but I did see several interesting possibilities on today's walk.
Thank you Louise - the tour continues...
Thank you Tony. There is a saying that In York "all the Streets are Gates, all the Gates are Bars and all the bars are Pubs". ‘Gate' is from the Viking ‘Gata' meaning a street; ‘Bar' is French ‘Barre' meaning a barrier or toll bar; and ‘Pub' is a Public House. I've already included several Bars in this tour, and many of the streets include Gate in their name - eg Gillygate, Goodramgate, Micklegate etc. I hope this helps!
Thank you Brian. Not quite as impressive as some of the other Bars, but in it's own way quite attractive.
Thank you Tanja, glad you are enjoying the tour!
Thank you Lynne - not only is it one car at a time, but beside where I was stood to take this shot, there are rising bollards which only lower for the cars local residents with an access card, which they swipe through a roadside machine to gain access. This has made the area much quieter for residents and has substantially reduced traffic.
Thank you Marie - not as impressive as the other Bars, but in it's own way quite attractive.
You're welcome Bob - there's no such thing as standardisation in the way the city walls were built!
You're welcome Tony - it's good to share and develop knowledge and understanding!