Visitors to York will soon be able to enjoy access to a rarely seen section of the city’s historic monastic hospital.
Visitors to York will soon be able to enjoy access to a rarely seen section of the city’s historic monastic hospital, as partners across the city come together to open the usually closed area at St Leonard’s for the summer season.
City of York Council has been working alongside Explore York, York Museum Trust, York BID and York Archaeology to make the space accessible from Monday 20 July, giving residents and visitors a unique opportunity to experience another part of York’s internationally renowned heritage.
The new heritage space forms part of Explore York Libraries and Archives enhanced visitor experience. As home to nationally significant archive collections, Explore York connects people with the city’s rich history, with this newly accessible space providing new opportunities to explore and enjoy York’s heritage.
Located between Explore York and Museum Gardens, next to York’s historic city walls, the site has been largely inaccessible for many years. Following extensive preparation by partners, it will open to the public this summer, with interpretation materials from the Micklegate Bar City Walls Experience helping visitors explore the story of York’s walls and wider heritage. Adjacent to the site,
York’s city walls are the most complete medieval city walls in England and contain visible evidence of more than 2,000 years of the city’s history, from Roman origins through to the medieval period. They remain one of York’s most visited heritage attractions and a defining feature of the city.
The reopening reflects Explore York’s commitment to widening access to the city’s culture, heritage and learning spaces, offering visitors a new way to experience an important part of York’s history.
Councillor Pete Kilbane, Executive Member for Economy and Culture, said:
“The history of York is the history of Britain. It is fantastic that this project will open up another fine example of our unrivalled historical buildings for everyone to experience. I would like to thank the council officers and partner organisations across the city for working together to reveal this hidden area at St Leonard’s. It gives residents and visitors the chance to discover a space that has been out of sight for many years, while learning more about the remarkable story of our city walls and the heritage that surrounds them.
Liam Dennis, Ancient Monuments Manager at City of York Council, said:
"Opening up this part of St Leonard’s is a fantastic opportunity to give people access to a space that many residents and visitors may never have seen before. Working with our partners, we've been able to prepare the area for public access while helping people better understand its significance within the story of York's walls and heritage."
“The location sits within one of the most historically significant parts of York. The ruins form the most substantial remaining part of St Leonard’s Hospital, one of the largest medieval hospitals in northern England, founded shortly after the Norman Conquest and closely associated with York Minster. The wider area contains layers of Roman, medieval and Victorian history, reflecting York’s development over nearly two millennia.”
“In the sites more recent history, it was used as Information Centre until the 1970’s when Tourist Information was moved to the De Grey Rooms Since then, the space has remained largely closed, making this summer opening a rare opportunity for people to explore an area that has sat hidden in plain sight for decades.
Chris Porter, Head of Operations, Explore York Libraries and Archives
“We’re delighted to be part of this partnership which brings a hidden piece of York’s history back into public view. Explore York is proud to help open this previously inaccessible historic space, creating a new connection between York Explore, the Library Gardens and the City Walls.
"As custodians of the cities Archive collections and many of the city’s cultural and heritage spaces, we know how important it is to connect people with York’s stories, and this project offers a unique opportunity for residents and visitors alike to discover something new. With more than 900,000 visits each year, we see a strong appetite for discovering York’s stories and we’re delighted to help bring this important part of the city’s heritage to a wider audience."
The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to encourage people to explore lesser-known parts of York’s heritage and enjoy new perspectives on the city’s historic environment.