York Unlocked 2023

Sadie Pearson
York Unlocked

York Unlocked 2023 at York Castle Museum, York 8 October 2023 Entrance is free — Visit now

After a massively successful first ever York Unlocked in 2022 the weekend of open doors and exclusive access for all is returning. Over the 7th and 8th of October, up to 70 buildings will be welcoming the public in to look around and learn about the heritage of each site, completely free of charge.

Spaces that are often closed to the public, but hold significant space in York’s history, will be allowing tourists and residents alike to explore their rooms, hallways and gardens. Often these hidden gems are hiding in plain sight. Some locals may be surprised by one or two of the locations on the map, no matter how well they think they know the city.

The event itself is totally unique in the scope of people it’s managed to engage in heritage activity. What’s even more incredible is that the entire weekend is run by a group of passionate volunteers who all have full time jobs. Last year they attracted visitors from as far afield as the USA and Australia as well as welcoming people into buildings that they’ve walked past for years of their lives but never knew the cultural significance held within the walls.

Some of the favourite sites from last year’s event included Duncombe Place Masonic Lodge, Kings Manor and the Assembly Rooms. This year they’ll be joined by the new additions of The Archbishop’s Walled & Pleasure Garden, St Marys Tower and the Minster Refectory. All these places are hidden in plain sight but whose character and history can be much better appreciated from the inside.

Kathy M King the founder of York Unlocked says “Whether you are an architecture buff with a tick-list of specific buildings or a family seeking to see the city in a different light, York Unlocked is guaranteed to inspire, delight and intrigue.”

Where to go near York Unlocked 2023

Spark:York
York
Restaurant
Spark:York

Spark:York is a radically new concept for York, housing street food, retail, co-working and entertainment. York’s new social hub.

York
Museum
Fairfax House

With a reputation as a classical architectural masterpiece of its age, Fairfax House was originally the winter home of Viscount Fairfax.

Botanic
York
Shop
Botanic

Independent plant themed shop in York. House plants and more!

Bish Bash Pot
York
Event venue
Bish Bash Pot

Pottery painting and glass making for everyone in York city centre.

JORVIK Viking Centre
York
Museum
Jorvik Viking Centre

Museum and visitor attraction to experience Viking life (visitors are taken through the dioramas in small carriages equipped with speakers).

York
Bar or Pub
Fossgate Social

Coffee shop by day, bar by night – Fossgate Social is a small but vibrant independent venue serving speciality coffee, craft beer and cocktails.

National Centre for Early Music
York
Music venue
The National Centre for Early Music / York Early Music Festival

The National Centre for Early Music (NCEM) is the national advocate of early music in England and a centre of excellence for music-making in the City of York. The NCEM hosts three festivals of early music in Yorkshire, a year-round programme of folk, jazz, early music and world music concerts supported by a significant creative learning programme.

York Gin
York
Shop
York Gin

York Gin shop is based in the centre of York and the team creates their own range of six world-class gins in the city’s only distillery. The Yorkshire gins regularly win gold medals at the world’s top spirits awards.

York
Tourist Attraction
St Mary’s Church

Construction of this wonderful church began on July 13th 1852. Much has changed since then, but the historical value and pleasure of visiting has only increased.

York
Restaurant
Valhalla

Valhalla is ‘a venue that paid homage to York’s Viking heritage and somewhere with purely Rock ‘n Metal music in its soul’.

York’s Chocolate Story
York
Museum
York’s Chocolate Story

Chocolate museum and fully guided tour through the history of York’s chocolate-making families and their creations.

What's on: Festivals

FestivalsManchester
Indy Man Beer Con 2023

Taking over the stunning Grade II listed Victoria Baths this October, Indy Man Beer Con brings together the best breweries from across the world.

from £14.50
FestivalsWest Yorkshire
Yorkshire Dales Cheese Festival

Celebrating the Dales’ delicious produce, with local businesses throughout the National Park hosting events such as menus and tastings, themed dishes and cookery courses.

free entry
Music venue stock image.
FestivalsLancashire
Oakfest

Music and community celebrations are the name of the game at Oakfest in Accrington’s Oak Hill Park.

free entry
FestivalsLancaster
Lancaster Music Festival

One of the UK’s largest urban music festivals, Lancaster Music Festival hosts hundreds of performances in 60 venues around the historic city of Lancaster.

free entry

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