The Watchers of York Sculpture Trail

Accessibility Guide

Name: Visit York
Price range: $

The Watchers of York Sculpture Trail 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.

The Watchers of York Trail is a free outdoor sculpture trail through the streets, gardens and public spaces of York. We want as many people as possible to enjoy the trail and experience the Watchers in a way that feels comfortable and accessible. This guide provides information to help you plan your visit.

About the Trail

The Watchers of York Trail features 12 sculptures located across York city centre. The route is approximately 2.5 miles long and takes around 2 hours to complete, including time to stop and view each sculpture.

You do not need to complete the full trail in one visit. Visitors are welcome to enjoy the trail at their own pace and return over several days.

Trail Dates

The sculptures will be available to view from 29 June to 31 August 2026.

After the trail closes, the Watchers will gather at York Minster for a special farewell event before being rehomed.

Disabled Access

The Watchers of York Trail is located at various sites across York city centre. City of York Council has a number of measures in place to help improve access for residents and visitors with disabilities.

For further information about disabled access in York city centre, please visit the City of York Council website: www.york.gov.uk/DisabledAccess

Route and Surfaces

The trail takes visitors through York’s historic city centre, including cobbled streets, gardens and public spaces.

Please be aware that some areas of the route may include:

Cobbled or uneven surfaces
Narrow pavements
Busy pedestrian areas
Road crossings
Sloped or ramped sections
Areas that may become crowded during peak times

Where possible, the trail route will use accessible public routes. Please see our sculpture-specific access notes for each sculpture online here.

Wheelchair and Mobility Scooter Users

Wheelchair and mobility scooter users are welcome on the trail.

Because York is a historic city, some parts of the route may include cobbles, uneven paving or narrow sections.

Please see our sculpture-specific access notes for each sculpture online here.

Visitors may also wish to complete the trail in sections rather than all at once.

Rest Points

There are benches and public seating areas throughout York city centre, including in gardens, squares and pedestrian areas along or near the trail route.

The trail can be completed at your own pace, and there is no time limit.

Toilets and Changing Facilities

The most central toilets can be found on Silver Street. For further information on public toilets in York city centre can be found here: www.york.gov.uk/DisabledAccess

Public toilets in York are cleaned and maintained by Healthmatic and you can report any issues via the telephone on 01249 823143. Toilet locations are outlined below with accessible toilets (which require a RADAR key):

St Leonard's Place public toilets, St Leonard's Place, Exhibition Square, York, YO1 7EW
Coppergate Shopping Centre public toilets, Coppergate, York, YO1 9NT
Nunnery Lane public toilets, Nunnery Lane car park, York, YO23 1AA
St George's Field public toilets, St George's Field car and coach Park, Castle Mills Bridge, York, YO10 4AB
Rougier Street public toilets, Rougier Street, York, YO1 6JB
Silver Street public toilets, Silver Street, York, YO1 8RY
Union Terrace public toilets, Union Terrace car and coach park, Clarence Street, York, YO31 7ES

Assistance Dogs

Assistance dogs are welcome on the trail.

Families, Pushchairs and Prams

The trail is suitable for families, and visitors with pushchairs or prams are welcome.

Please be aware that some areas of York city centre include cobbles, uneven surfaces and busy pedestrian routes. Families may wish to follow the trail in shorter sections.

Quiet Times

The trail is open every day and visitors can follow it at any time.

For a quieter experience, we recommend visiting earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon, and avoiding weekends, school holidays and peak visitor times where possible.

Visual Access

The sculptures are large, colourful artworks designed to be viewed in public spaces.

Information about each Watcher will be available online, allowing visitors to learn more about the sculptures before, during or after their visit.

Seating, Food and Drink

The trail passes through or near many city centre areas with cafés, restaurants and places to rest.

Visitors are welcome to take breaks and complete the trail in stages.

Weather

The Watchers are designed to be displayed outdoors and will remain in place throughout the trail.

Please check the weather before visiting and dress appropriately. In the event of severe weather or temporary access issues, updates will be shared on the website and social media channels.

Getting to the Trail

The trail is in York city centre and can be accessed by public transport, walking routes, cycle routes and nearby car parks.

Visitors are encouraged to plan their journey in advance and check the latest travel information before setting off.

Parking

View all council car parks.

Further information on Blue Badge parking in York can be found here: www.york.gov.uk/BlueBadge

Visitor Information

Printed trail maps will be available from the Visit York Visitor Information Centre at 21 Parliament Street.

A digital version of the trail map is available to download here.

Sculpture Specific Access Notes

The Watchers are located across a range of public spaces, gardens, courtyards and indoor locations. Some sites may be affected by opening times, gated access, crowds, cobbled or uneven surfaces, gravel paths or busy pedestrian areas. Please use the access notes below to help plan your visit.

Sculpture	what3words	Location type	Access notes	Venue Restrictions
The Keeper of Coloured Light	///type.ranged.super	Outdoor public space	Located outdoors in a public space. Visitors should be aware that surrounding surfaces may vary due to the historic city centre setting.	No additional venue restrictions currently listed.
The We're In It Together City Guardian	///take.critic.basin	Outdoor public space	Located outdoors in a public space. General city centre conditions may apply, including busy periods and uneven surfaces nearby.	No additional venue restrictions currently listed.
The Merchant Keeper	///retain.native.tags	Outdoor public market area	Located in an outdoor public market area, which may become busy at peak times. Visitors may wish to visit earlier in the day for a quieter experience.	No additional venue restrictions currently listed.
Many Hands City Guardian	///crowd.coast.sofa	Outdoor public area	Located outdoors in a public area which may become crowded, particularly when street performers are present. Please allow extra time to move through this area.	No additional venue restrictions currently listed.
The Keeper of Voices	///daisy.dime.oiled	Outdoor private gated area	Located outdoors within the gated area of Bedern Hall. Access may be subject to opening times. Visitors are advised to check before travelling.	Sculpture viewable in the courtyard at all times. To get close to the sculpture, Bedern Hall is open: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 10:30-15:30.
The Scholar’s Keeper	///tries.venue.gazed	Outdoor gated area	Located outdoors just inside the York St John University gates. Access may be affected if the gates are closed. Visitors are advised to check before travelling.	If main gates are closed, you can still access through the campus.
The Watcher of the Night	///ledge.pushy.backed	Outdoor courtyard	Located in an outdoor courtyard. There are steps on one side, with ramped access available via the unlocked gate next to De Grey Rooms at ///loudly.chain.mimic.	No additional venue restrictions currently listed.
The Garden Guardian	///factories.until.ozone	Outdoor gravelled path	Located on a gravelled path on the library lawn. Access is available in line with library opening times. Visitors using wheelchairs, mobility scooters or pushchairs should be aware of the gravel surface.	The lawn is open: Monday - Thursday: 09:00-20:00, Friday: 10:00-18:00, Saturday: 09:00-17:00, Sunday: 11:00-16:00.
The River Watcher	///rinse.artist.posts	Outdoor public space	Located outdoors with no known access issues.	No additional venue restrictions currently listed.
The Warden of Wild Blooms	///decent.bared.swing	Outdoor garden setting	Located outdoors, off a gravelled path. Visitors using wheelchairs, mobility scooters or pushchairs should be aware of the gravel surface.	No additional venue restrictions currently listed.
The Gatekeeper	///mops.rescue.walks	Indoor public transport setting	Located indoors at the train station. Access may be affected by station layouts, passenger flow and busy travel periods.	No additional venue restrictions currently listed.
The Watcher of York	///dame.valley.bucked	Outdoor heritage setting	Located outdoors, with access available in line with York Minster opening times. Visitors are advised to check opening hours before travelling.	Dean's Park is open: 07:00 to dusk daily. Times can vary and are dictated by events.

Access information is provided as guidance and may be subject to change. Visitors with specific access requirements are encouraged to check opening times and contact the relevant venue or Make It York before travelling.

Contact Us

If you have specific access requirements or questions about the trail, please contact the Make It York Events Team before your visit.

Contact details:
Make It York
Email: events@makeityork.com
Phone: Visitor Information Centre - 01904 909487
Website: visityork.org/watchers-trail