Riverside Walk

Enjoy a quiet stroll alongside the river to experience another side to York. Heading towards the Millenium Bridge along the Georgian New walk, cross over the bridge and return to the city via Terry Avenue passing the fabulous Rowntrees Park along the way. At a leisurely pace this walk will take approximately 1 hour.

Walk in the footsteps of Georgian Ladies and Gentlemen. This pleasant walk includes a purpose built promenade which was created in the 1730's to allow the gentry of the time to stroll and socialise together. There is also an original well designed by John Carr in 1752.

The walk begins by the river in Tower Gardens which are opposite Cliffords Tower. Starting from the Tea rooms which are located in what used to be the Toll House on Skeldergate Bridge.

Walk under the Bridge and away from the city centre along the tree lined footpath towards the wooden 'Blue Bridge' This Bridge crosses the River Foss at the point where it joins the River Ouse. The first bridge was built here in 1738 to allow the walk to continue even further onto what is known as New Walk . The current blue bridge was bult in 1895.

On the other side of Blue Bridge you can see the gated entrance to New Walk Terrace.This busy pedestrian (and now cycle route) was specifically created in the 1730's for the fashion concious Georgian Gentry to stroll along the walkway and socialise with each other away from the city.  

Today we might take this urban walk for granted but  in the Eighteenth Century this was a new source of entertainment and quickly became very popular. The creation of this walk was an attempt by the City Council of the time to raise York's profile as a leading Georgian social centre. Other developments at the same time included the Assembly Rooms, the Mansion House and the Racecourse.

Continuing along the pathway you will soon get a view of the Millenium bridge in the distance. Along the way you will pass Pikeing Well which was designed by the famous architect John Carr, who was also twice Lord Mayor of York..

The water from Pikeing well was thought to contain medicinal properties and was particularly good for bathing sore eyes. The well is a Grade II listed building. 

Continue along the tree lined walk for about twenty minutes until you reach the Millennium Bridge. 

The bridge was opened by the Duke of York in 2001 to mark the celebration of the Millenium. The design of the bridge is based on the Spokes on the wheel of a bicycle.

The bridge is very popular with walkers, runners and cyclists. The bridge enables a circular walk and easy access to Rowntrees Park for the residents that live on the Fulford side of the river.

Cross over the Bridge and head back towards the city along Terry avenue.Just after the bridge you will see some wrought iron railings which lead to large wrought iron gates, this is the entrance to Rowntrees Park.

Rowntrees Park was given to the people of the City of York in 1921 by the owners of the famous chocolate factory, Rowntrees. The park is a memorial to all of the factory workers who died in the First World War. The Chocolate factory now belongs to the Nestle corporation who still employ local residents.

Rowntrees Park is a beautiful place to visit and there is plenty of space to enjoy a picnic. There are play areas for younger and older children, tennis courts a basketball court, a skate park and a lake.There are toilet facilities and a cafe serving refreshments and ice cream.

Continuing past the Park, and the very popular Caravan park next to it, You can see Skeldergate Bridge in the distance. 

This stretch of pathway is called Terry Avenue because the other famous Chocolate factory in York was Terry's and they used to have warehouses all along this side of the River.

Some of the fabulous apartments that you can see here were originally storage warehouses. These properties with River views are now some of the most expensive in York.

The walk ends back at Skeldergate Bridge.