Walmgate Bar consists of a passageway with arches at each end and a rectangular gatehouse with two storeys above.

At the back of the gatehouse is a timber-framed projection supported on two stone columns. This was probably added in 1584-86. Walmgate Bar is the only bar to still have its barbican, portcullis and wooden inner doors.

The first gatehouse was built in the mid-twelfth century. The barbican was added in the fourteenth century. Walmgate Bar was also leased out as a house: in 1376 an annual rent of 10 shillings was paid. People were certainly living there before 1376 and they continued to live here until 1957!

Heads were also displayed on this bar. In 1469 the head of Robert Hillyard was displayed.

The Parliamentarians

This gate was the subject of some of the fiercest attacks during the Siege of York in 1644. The Parliamentarians set up five guns on the nearby Lamel Hill. From here they were able to pound the bar and the Walmgate area.

Walmgate Bar was also mined. A tunnel was built underneath the bar and filled with explosives. This attempt was stopped by the bar's defenders who dug a separate mine to cut off this tunnel. The city surrendered to the Parliamentarians on 16 July 1644. Walmgate Bar had been badly damaged. Work began on restoring the bar in October 1645. The damage was fully restored until 1648.