Trail FAQs

What are the Watchers of York?  

Across the streets of York, a new group of guardians are arriving.   

Inspired by the carved grotesques high above us on York Minster, the Watchers of York are protective characters, connected to different parts of our city’s story. Some watch over hidden corners, some over green spaces and waterways and others over the movement of people through York’s historic streets. Together, they form a trail that invites you to look at the city a little differently.  

Find out more about the Watchers by visiting the Meet The Watchers webpage. 

How many sculptures will there be? 

There are 12 Watcher sculptures to find.

Are all the sculptures the same? 

All the sculptures are the same base model, but they have all been designed by different artists with their own unique designs.  

What is the theme of the trail?  

Each Watcher has its own personality and guardianship, reflected by the place where it stands. Visit the Meet The Watchers webpage. 

What are the sculptures made from? 

The sculptures are made from fibreglass for durability; this ensures they stay looking good throughout the trail and afterwards when they continue their legacy in new homes.  

Who painted the sculptures? 

The sculptures are painted by UK artists, you can find out more about our artists by visiting the artist page here.

Why are the Watchers inspired by York Minster grotesques? 

The Watchers are inspired by York Minster’s carved grotesques, including a medieval wyvern dating back to around 1400. The sculptures respectfully reinterpret these ancient guardians in a new form, reflecting the Minster’s approach to preserving and celebrating historic carvings. Visit the Meet The Watchers webpage.

Visiting the Trail 

Where can I pick up a printed trail map? 

Printed trail maps will be available from the Visitor Information Centre on Parliament Street during the trail. A digital version will also be available to download online soon.

Is there a digital trail map? 

Yes, a digital trail map will be available to download online when the trail begins. This will include sculpture locations and any important information. 

How long will the trail take to walk around? 

The Watchers of York Trail will take you on a route of approximately 2.5 Miles, that’s around 5000 steps and will take about 2 hours to complete with stopping time to visit each sculpture.   

Can I complete the trail over more than one day? 

Yes, you can enjoy the trail at your own pace. You may choose to complete it in one visit or return over several days to find all the Watchers. 

What are the opening times for the trail? 

The sculptures will be in place every day. Certain venues may have access restrictions on timings, these will all be displayed online and on the printed map. 

Do I need tickets? 

No, the Watchers of York trail is free to attend for all. 

Will the trail still be open in bad weather? 

The sculptures are designed to be outdoors and will remain in place throughout the trail. In the event of severe weather or temporary access issues, updates will be shared on our website and social media channels. 

Accessibility and Visitor Information 

How long will the sculptures be out for? 

The sculptures will be available to see on the trail from 29th June – 31st August 2026. They will then gather at York Minster for a final farewell before being rehomed. 

Will the trail be accessible? 

Make It York is proud to organise many free events and festivals throughout the year for residents and visitors to enjoy. We are committed to ensuring that everyone can participate, with access requirements in place to support with additional needs. You can view our accessibility guide here.

Is the trail suitable for children and families?  

Yes, the Watchers of York Trail is designed for all ages and is a great way for families to explore the city together. The route is free to follow and can be completed at your own pace. 

Can I touch or climb on the sculptures?  

Please do not climb on or try move the sculptures. They are artworks and should be enjoyed respectfully so that everyone can experience them throughout the trail. 

What should I do if I see a damaged sculpture?  

If you notice that a sculpture has been damaged, please let us know as soon as possible. Details of how to report damage will be available soon.

Why is a Watcher missing?  

We hope this doesn’t happen however, if you find a Watcher missing then we have taken it for repair. The trail is an extended period and as such we have factored in that some may become damaged. Our website and social media channels will keep you updated of any sculptures that have temporarily been removed for repair.

What will happen to the sculptures after the trail? 

The sculptures will gather at York Minster for a final farewell before being rehomed. 

Watchers Final Gathering at York Minster 

What is the Final Gathering?  

At the close of the trail, all the Watchers will make their way to York Minster for a special ten days where you can view all grotesque sculptures in one place, with the Chapter House backdrop of stained glass and inspirational heritage. More details about the Watchers final gathering at York Minster event will be available soon.

When will the  Watchers Final Gathering at York Minster take place?  

The Watchers sculptures will return to York Minster from the 3rd – 13th September 2026.

Do I need tickets for the Final Gathering? 

Standard admission fees for visiting York Minster apply.

Auction and Legacy  

What will happen to the sculptures after the trail? 

Throughout the trail there will be a silent auction, if you see one you fancy taking home with you then you can place a bid and at the end of the trail the online auction will close. For more information on the Watchers auction, please visit the webpage here.

How do I take part in the silent auction?  

Details of how to place a bid will be available on the Watchers auction webpage. The auction will run throughout the trail and will close during the Final Gathering to give us time to make rehousing arrangements. 

When will the auction close?  

The auction will run throughout the trail and will close after the final farewell event. 

Why can’t you bid to take home The City Guardians?  

The City Guardians have been created by York Against Cancer and York and Scarborough Hospitals Charity, so they will be donated back to the charities after the trail if they wish to house them. 

Instead, we invite you to make a small donation to support their work, with funds raised split between the project and the charity involved. 

What will happen to the money generated from the remainder of sculptures?  

Funds raised from the remaining sculptures will be split between York Minster and the York Creates Fund.  

How will York Minster spend their share?  

 Funds allocated to York Minster will support the ongoing conservation and restoration of the Minster's internationally significant heritage, including investment in the restoration of the iconic Rose Window.   

York Creates Fund and Future Trails 

What is the York Creates Fund? 
York Creates Fund is a micro-fund that supports cultural and creative activity in the city. The York Creates Fund will provide opportunities for local creatives to produce new work through micro-grants, commissions and competitions. The fund will be held by Make It York and administered in reference to the objectives of York’s Creative Future, the city’s Culture Strategy.   

Could the Watchers return to York in the future? 

Yes… the Watchers may not be gone for long. 

A new trail is already planned for early 2027, supported by the York Creates Fund. More will be revealed in due course. 

Can businesses or organisations support future Watchers trails? 

If you are interested in supporting the Watchers of York Trail, please contact Make It York for more information by emailing events@makeityork.com