On Saturday 1 August, local environmental charity St Nicks will join with a host of organisations for a unique event celebrating York’s incredible history and wildlife.
As part of the Festival of Archaeology and timed to celebrate Yorkshire Day, Step into Nature and History Within York’s City Walls is the first of what is hoped will become an annual event.
Centred around York’s iconic walls, the new, free event will encourage locals and tourists alike to follow a
‘Stepping Stones Trail’ and uncover the hidden connections between nature, heritage and historic spaces
within the city.
Jonathan Dent, Green Corridors Manager at St Nicks said:
“York residents and visitors will have the chance to look at the walls and city centre through a different perspective — that of our urban wildlife and the people who help to conserve it. And we couldn’t think of a better day to do that than on Yorkshire Day.”
The trail begins at Station Rise, which is home to York Walls in Bloom. Organisers recommend starting at
Lendal Bridge for a close-up view of the wildflowers before walking the walls with the Minster in the
background. At Station Rise, you can pick up a copy of the trail map and chat with staff and volunteers
from St Nicks (trail maps will be available at other points along the trail as well).
From here, event attendees can either go in the direction of the Museum Gardens or North Street
Gardens. The trail is designed to be enjoyed at your own pace, where the whole thing can be completed
in one go, or as a hop-on/hop-off with a break for a pub or picnic lunch and a spot of shopping.
Highlights include:
- Small Mammal Survey at the Museum Gardens at 9am (this is free to attend, but places are limited
so must be booked via Eventbrite - Moth Trap Reveal at three different locations – Station Rise (10am), All Saints Church North Street
(10.45am), Postern Tower (11.30am) - Art displays at Foss Islands Wildflower Area and Station Rise by local botanical artist Kayliegh
Smith - York Minster’s City Walls Nature Trail
- River Foss Society freshwater invertebrate sampling
- North Yorkshire’s first floating ecosystem at North Street Gardens
- Hourly tours of the St Leonard’s Hospital site by local archaeologists.