The Watchers of York: Sculpture Trail
29th June 2026 to 31st August 2026. A Make It York event in collaboration with York Minster.
York Minster stone carvings have been silently watching over York Minster for centuries. These stone guardians are full of character, humour, and mystery. Now, one of them is stepping off the stonework and making mischief across York.
For summer 2026, this brand new, city-wide sculpture trail is working with York Minster and launching alongside the legendary York Mystery Plays.
From hidden gardens to cobbled streets, our larger than life sculptures are dotted amongst the city, waiting to be discovered by trail hunters from June to August 2026. To make the trail even more memorable, souvenirs inspired from the trail are available from the Visit York Visitor Information Centre.
The sculpture design is inspired by the real stone carvings on York Minster. If you know where to look, you can spot the original inspiration!
Explore the website pages below to learn more about the Watchers of York and opportunities to get involved in this brand-new character trail for York.
If you notice a sculpture has been damaged, please let the Make It York Events Team know by completing this short form.
Get Involved
Trail Leaflet and Map▸
Explore our carefully curated guide to navigate the trail, including a helpful map to help you find the sculptures around the city.
Sculpture List▸
Discover our full list of the Watchers of York, and plan your journey around the city.
Take a Watcher Home▸
Join in with our online auction for the chance to take a Watcher home, and donate to two incredible charities.
Meet The Artists▸
Discover the creative minds behind the trail sculptures. Explore the diverse talents and unique perspectives of the artists who have contributed their imagination and skill to bring these captivating characters to life!
Behind the Scenes▸
Meet the Watchers in our new trail, and enjoy behind the scenes photos of the sculptures' creation.
Meet The Sculpture Creators▸
Meet the crafters behind the magic – Norse Sky, the masterful set builders and prop makers hailing from North Yorkshire.
Fun Activities▸
Explore our fun downloadable resources such as wordsearch and spot the difference, whether you want to complete during the trail or download at home to enjoy.
Discover York Minster▸
The inspiration behind the sculptures, explore one of the world's most magnificent cathedrals - York Minster.
Final Gathering at York Minster▸
From 3rd to 13th September 2026, you can experience the unique opportunity to explore the full display of twelve guardians together at York Minster.
Accessibility Guide▸
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.
Share Your Feedback▸
We would love to hear your thoughts on York's latest trail - follow the link to our survey for the chance to share your feedback and the chance to win a themed prize.
Trail Supporters
