Photo Guide
Look Up: Discovering York’s Hidden Details
York is a city that rewards curiosity, especially when you remember to look up.
Above the shopfronts, cafés and busy streets, centuries of craftsmanship are waiting to be discovered, from Gothic towers and Tudor timberwork to ornate clocks, carved stone, decorative lamps and hidden details that are easy to miss at street level. This photo blog, with images credited to @summerchloeadams, invites you to slow down, lift your gaze and see York’s architecture from a fresh perspective.
The History Behind the Details
Yorkshire Insurance Company - St Helen’s Square
The Yorkshire Insurance Company building was designed by architect George Townsend Andrews. From 1830 until 1876, the building operated as the fire brigade offices and labelling itself as an insurance company that protects against “loss by fire and on lives and survivorships and the sale and purchase of annuities and reversions and the endowment of children”.
Skeldergate Bridge
Skeldergate Bridge was built between 1878 and 1881 to admit tall masted ships to the quays on either side of the river between Skeldergate and Ouse Bridges. It is made of iron with gothic details designed by Thomas Page, who was then succeeded by George Page when he passed away. The following image captures the ornate parapet and lamps that decorate the bridge.
Now a cafe, the following photo shows what used to be a toll house when Skeldergate Bridge was operating as a toll bridge before it was declared toll-free in 1914. Due to the bridge being a Grade II Listed building, the toll mechanism and house still stand untouched today.
Coney Street
Coney Street is ‘The King’s Street’, one of the oldest and most important streets in the city of York. Since the 1600s, Coney Street has stood to provide a range of shops, luxury goods, accommodation and leisure destinations. You’ll find a lot of listed Tudor architecture above the shops and restaurants that situate at eye-level.
Located on the church of St Martin Le Grand, Coney Street, a clock was first fitted to the east end of St Martin le Grand in 1668. The current clock dates from the 19th century, with the distinctive painted and carved figure above it dating from 1778. St Martin’s stood tall until a bombing in 1942 reduced it to rubble. Reconstruction began in 1961, and now the north side of the church is an enclosed garden, and in 1968 the building was reopened as a ‘shrine of remembrance for all men who died in the two world wars.'
York Magistrates’ Court
The Magistrates’ Court was built between 1890 and 1892 to the designs of architects Huon Arthur Matear and Henry Bloomfield Bare. The cost of construction was £17,050 (equivalent to £2,843,897.91 in 2026).
Located on Clifford Street, just a short walk from Clifford’s Tower, the courts showcase classic Gothic architecture, with striking detailing that reflects the period’s civic pride and design.
While still a functioning legal institution, its architectural presence makes it a notable landmark within the city.
York Institute of Art, Science and Literature
This 85-foot Victorian building once stood as a formal Institute of Art, Science and Literature. As a Grade II listed building, the nightclub has been carefully integrated into the space, preserving its rich history.
The basement originally contained a gymnasium and two small classrooms. The main floor featured a hall with a capacity of 500 people, alongside a lecture theatre, classroom, two reading rooms, a council room and offices. The first floor housed three additional classrooms.
The institute first opened in 1885, following the laying of its foundation stones by the then Prince of Wales in 1883. The building has since had several uses, including as a nightclub.
Known as Silks in the 1990s and later The Gallery in the 2000s, it even welcomed a visit from Prince William in 2008.
Ye Olde Starre Inne - Stonegate
Ye Olde Starre Inne was constructed in the mid-16th century. By 1644, it was an inn named “The Starre”, the buildings lying at the back of a coaching yard, off the north side of Stonegate. This makes it the pub in York which can demonstrate the earliest date for its licence. After the Battle of Marston Moor the inn was used as a hospital for wounded soldiers. In 1954, the pub was grade II listed.
St Helen's Church - Stonegate
The church dates from the 14th century. It was declared redundant in 1551 and partially demolished, but survived and was later brought back into use.
It was reconstructed between 1857 and 1858 by W H Dykes and reopened on 16 September 1858. The north, south and east walls were taken down and rebuilt, and the church roof was replaced.
Pews were replaced with open seating, and the chancel was rebuilt and extended by 10 feet (3.0 m). Gas lighting was installed with standard gaseliers of polished brass and iron, including a gas corona with 24 lights.
York Minster and War Memorial
Take a moment to look up and admire the breathtaking architecture of York Minster, one of the finest examples of Gothic craftsmanship in Europe. Its soaring towers, intricate stone carvings and magnificent stained glass tell the story of centuries of faith, artistry and ambition, with much of the Minster’s present structure built between the 13th and 15th centuries. Nearby, the War Memorial offers a quiet place for reflection, standing as a poignant reminder of those who served and sacrificed. Together, they invite visitors to pause, look closer and discover the detail woven into York’s historic cityscape.
From the grandeur of York Minster to the intricate details of Coney Street, Stonegate, Skeldergate Bridge and St Helen’s Square, York’s skyline is full of stories. Every archway, tower, clock and carved façade tells us about the history that has shaped the city over hundreds of years. Next time you wander through York, take a little longer to look above the everyday and you might spot a new favourite detail hiding in plain sight.
Discover more inspiration for exploring the city on foot with Visit York’s walking routes. Pop into the Visit York Information Centre for leaflets, maps or any advice on navigating the city, or explore our digital maps and guides here ▸
