York Trailblazers

🪲🎉 Coming 1 August, 2024! 🎉🪲

Brought to you by Make It York and York Civic Trust, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Get ready to celebrate York’s heritage with an exciting and inclusive city-wide programme of events and activities across the summer.

Embark on an enchanting journey along our magnificent sculpture trail, set to transform the heart of our city. Imagine a vibrant display of awe-inspiring Tansy Beetle sculptures, each one a unique tribute to the remarkable individuals who have shaped York's history. For summer 2024 only, our streets will come alive with these remarkable works of art, sparking wonder and curiosity in everyone who encounters them.

Known as “The Jewel of York”, the endangered Tansy Beetle has been chosen as the emblem of the Trailblazer project, reflecting its special status as a York resident with its riverside habitat along the banks of the River Ouse. The Tansy Beetle’s perseverance mirrors the rich history of York’s trailblazers who have made significant impacts locally, nationally, and globally.

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Grip Map

Trail Leaflet & Map ▸

Download the trail map, your essential guide to uncovering all the sculptures and diving deeper into the fascinating stories of the York Trailblazers. For the cycling route, click here.

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Meet the York Trailblazers ▸

Explore all 17 York Trailblazers, discover how they influenced York's history, and learn about the artists who brought their stories to life.

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Meet The Artists ▸

Get to know the talented artists behind the sculptures and see how they artfully integrated the trailblazers' lives onto the Tansy Beetle.