Davy Tower - Izeria

The Davy Tower is a feature of the York city walls in England. The stone tower was built around 1250, probably at the end of a wall or earthwork leading to Castlegate, around the moat of York Castle. It was first recorded in 1315, and by 1424 the part of the city inside the walls was occupied by the York Franciscan Friary. Until 1553, a chain could be strung across the River Ouse from the tower to a now-demolished tower near Skeldergate. From 1607, a public toilet adjoined the tower, on the river side, known as the "Sugar House". In 1732, it was replaced by a stone arch, the Friargate Postern. Around 1730, the tower was altered, when a summerhouse was constructed in its southern corner: the basement in stone, and the raised ground floor in brick. It was extended in about 1830, and has since filled all but the north-west corner of the tower, which has been demolished. The building was extended again in the 20th century, incorporating a coal store and a new concrete floor. In 1954, it was Grade II* listed. The mediaeval stone wall is about 10 feet high and 1 foot 8 thick, and it retains two original windows: an arrowslit in a cross shape, and a musket loop. Some internal features survive from the 18th century, including a chimneypiece, window seats, a dado rail with panelling, and a cornice.

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York Franciscan Friary

York Franciscan Friary was a friary in York, North Yorkshire, England. It was located between York Castle and the River Ouse. In 1538, it fell victim to Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries. All that now remains of it is a stone wall on King's Staith, adjacent to the Davy Tower on the York city walls.

Church Historic Site

York city walls

York has, since Roman times, been defended by walls of one form or another. To this day, substantial portions of the walls remain, and York has more miles of intact wall than any other city in England. They are known variously as York City Walls, the Bar Walls and the Roman walls (though this last is a misnomer as very little of the extant stonework is of Roman origin, and the course of the wall has been substantially altered since Roman times). The walls are generally 13 feet (4 m) high and 6 feet (1.8 m) wide. They are the longest town walls in England.

Historic Site Landmark

York Debtor's Prison

York Debtor's Prison is a former debtor's prison and Grade I Listed building located in York, North Yorkshire. Since 1952 it has been part of the York Castle Museum.

Historic Site Landmark

Bonding Warehouse

The Bonding Warehouse is a historic building in the city centre of York in England. The building lies between Skeldergate and the southwest bank of the River Ouse. It was constructed in two sections, the northern block being built between 1872 and 1873, and the southern block in 1875. Both were designed by George Styan, the surveyor of the city of York. It was originally known as the Bonded Warehouse, and commissioned by York Corporation, for customs house officials to store goods on which duty had not yet been paid. In the 20th century, there was less commercial traffic on the river, and the warehouse closed in 1958. It was then used by Rowntree's for storage, then in 1981 was converted into a pub and steakhouse. In the 1990s, it was converted into a music and comedy venue, but it closed in 2000, following flooding. In 2004, it was briefly squatted by the York Peace Collective. In 2012, it was converted into a mix of offices and apartments, with concrete casings and a new footbridge enabling access even when the local area was flooded. The building has been grade II listed since 1977. The building is constructed of pink brick, with multicoloured brick dressings, an ashlar plinth on the riverside front, and slate roofs. The northern block is three storeys high and seven bays wide, and the southern block has two storeys and six bays. The central bay of the northern block has original lifting doors on the upper floors. There is a parapet, which rises to a gable over the central bay. The southeast front is two storeys high and five bays wide, and a gable over the central bay is inscribed "BONDING WAREHOUSE/ AD 1875". On the street front, the northern block is mostly six bays wide, with a single bay to the left set further back. There are lifting doors in the second bay. The southern block comes further forward. Inside, the northern block has an original full-height stone staircase with cast iron bannisters and handrail. The lower floors have brick vaulting on cast iron columns. The roof of the northern block has five queen post trusses, and the southern block four king post trusses.

Historic Site Landmark