Foss Islands Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Walmgate Bar, York Looking west from Jenny's Fish & Chips on the corner of Lawrence Street. The gate or 'bar' in York's city walls still has its original 12th century archway with portcullis and 15th century wooden gates (the archway on the right of the picture is more modern). The 14th century barbican protruding from the front would once have spanned a water-filled ditch and worked by trapping attackers in deadly crossfire between two sets of gates. Walmgate Bar was leased out as a house from 1376 right up until 1957.
Photo by Paul Glazzard (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
Walmgate Bar, York Looking west from Jenny's Fish & Chips on the corner of Lawrence Street. The gate or 'bar' in York's city walls still has its original 12th century archway with portcullis and 15th century wooden gates (the archway on the right of the picture is more modern). The 14th century barbican protruding from the front would once have spanned a water-filled ditch and worked by trapping attackers in deadly crossfire between two sets of gates. Walmgate Bar was leased out as a house from 1376 right up until 1957.
Photo by Paul Glazzard (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
St Lawrence old tower The medieval church of St Lawrence has entirely gone except for its tower which has a Norman doorway, 13th century windows above and a 15th century top. The little tower is dwarfed by the huge Victorian church behind.

Popular places to visit

York Minster featuring a square or plaza, heritage architecture and a church or cathedral

York Minster

4.5/5(62 reviews)

The city’s emblem is known for its superb stained-glass windows, underground treasure chambers and tall tower with spectacular views.

York Minster
Shambles which includes heritage architecture and street scenes

Shambles

4.5/5(62 reviews)

This picturesque cobblestone street has a fascinating medieval history and crooked buildings that appear to almost fall into one another.

Shambles
a little night time photo shot at York Racecourse

York Racecourse

4/5(4 reviews)

You can take time to visit York Racecourse during your travels to York. Visit the shops and lively bars in this family-friendly area.

York Racecourse
A view from the atlas fountain across to Castle Howard, a beautiful stately home to visit in Yorkshire. Made famous from the television series ‘Brideshead Revisited’

Castle Howard

4.5/5(6 reviews)

You can find out about the history of Henderskelfe with a stop at Castle Howard. Visit the lively bars or top-notch restaurants in this relaxing area.

Castle Howard
The sun setting over a wintery day on the Heslington East campus at the University of York #goldenhour

University of York

5/5(2 reviews)

Explore the campus of University of York during your visit to Heslington. Discover the lively bars and fascinating museums in this walkable area.

University of York
Walmgate Bar in York

York Barbican

4.5/5(4 reviews)

Enjoy a show at York Barbican, a theatre with a story to tell in York. Make time for the shops and local tours in this walkable area.

York Barbican

Activities

York Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

City Sightseeing York Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

AU$32
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
City Sightseeing York Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
York: Witches and History Old Town Walking Tour

York: Witches and History Old Town Walking Tour

AU$32
per adult
York: Witches and History Old Town Walking Tour
The York Dungeon Tour

The York Dungeon Tour

AU$38
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
The York Dungeon Tour
York Witches and History Walking Tour

York Witches and History Walking Tour

AU$32
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
York Witches and History Walking Tour
Garden Harlow Admission Ticket

RHS Garden Harlow Carr Entry Ticket

AU$25
per adult
RHS Garden Harlow Carr Entry Ticket
Forbidden Chronicles- Tour of York

York's Forbidden Chronicles- Terrors from the dark side.

AU$24
per adult
York's Forbidden Chronicles- Terrors from the dark side.
See all activities in York

Our pick of the best Foss Islands Hotel Deals

The Waggon & Horses

The Waggon & Horses

3 out of 5
19 Lawrence Street York England
The price is AU$208 per night from 15 Mar to 16 Mar
AU$208
15 Mar - 16 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this inn in York. Enjoy free parking, breakfast (surcharge) and a bar/lounge. Popular attractions Shambles and York Christmas Market are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (378 reviews)
Room clean,nice bathroom,staff helpful.

Reviewed on 10 Feb 2026

The Waggon & Horses
Radisson Hotel York

Radisson Hotel York

4 out of 5
North Street York England
The price is AU$128 per night from 15 Mar to 16 Mar
AU$128
15 Mar - 16 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in York. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
Perfect for the city centre to get to all the bars and restaurants on foot we chose a river view and a high floor had a view of the minster the staff were great helping you with everything definitely going back

Reviewed on 2 Mar 2026

Radisson Hotel York
The Milner York

The Milner York

4 out of 5
Station Road York England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$179 per night from 22 Mar to 23 Mar
AU$179
22 Mar - 23 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in York. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 bars/lounges and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,721 reviews)
Great friendly staff, spacious room Down side, lift could only carry 2 people with luggage. Long wait for the lift.

Reviewed on 2 Mar 2026

The Milner York
Hampton by Hilton York Piccadilly

Hampton by Hilton York Piccadilly

3 out of 5
46-50 Piccadilly York England
The price is AU$136 per night from 15 Mar to 16 Mar
AU$136
15 Mar - 16 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in York. Enjoy free breakfast, a fitness centre and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,560 reviews)
Staff great, room not so. Having ascertained that all rooms have a shower, I was very disappointed with the shower in the room. I have mobility issues but do not require an accessible room The shower was 1m deep, 2m across and only had a glass screen, no door. Grab handle was on the opposite wall ...

Reviewed on 4 Mar 2026

Hampton by Hilton York Piccadilly
Moxy York

Moxy York

3.5 out of 5
Black Horse Lane York England
The price is AU$134 per night from 15 Mar to 16 Mar
AU$134
15 Mar - 16 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in York. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,008 reviews)
Straight from the off the staff were so friendly & helpful (all staff appeared to multi-task, one minute booking guests in, then serving drinks, putting luggage in luggage room. Our rooms were beautifully clean, the beds comfortable & pillows nice & soft, just as I like them. The hotel was busy but ...

Reviewed on 3 Mar 2026

Moxy York
The Grand, York

The Grand, York

5 out of 5
Station Rise York England
The price is AU$287 per night from 8 Mar to 9 Mar
AU$287
8 Mar - 9 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in York. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,163 reviews)
Great location, parking 2 mins walk away. Staff are fantastic! Great choice of breakfast options. Highly recommend

Reviewed on 3 Mar 2026

The Grand, York
See all 2,143 properties in Foss Islands
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Other neighbourhoods around Foss Islands

Glen Gardens, York Glen Gardens is a small, traditional park in the suburb of Heworth. It boasts two bowling greens, tennis courts and rose gardens, and appears to be relatively free of vandalism.

Layerthorpe

When in Layerthorpe, you can plan a visit to Treasurer's House and Merchant Adventurers' Hall, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Layerthorpe
York Minster

City Centre

If you're spending some time in City Centre, Merchant Adventurers' Hall and Shambles are top sights worth seeing.

City Centre
Tang Hall Park Osbaldwick beck runs along the side of Tang Hall Park. The park itself runs between Tang Hall Lane and Melrosegate.

Hull Road

Hull Road might not have many top sights, but York Barbican and Walmgate Bar are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Hull Road
The Millennium Bridge spans the River Ouse to the south of York, linking Hospital Fields Road and Maple Grove in Fulford with Butcher Terrace on the South Bank

Fishergate

While visiting Fishergate, you might make a stop by sights like York Barbican and Kohima Museum.

Fishergate
Beautiful York

The Groves

If you're spending some time in The Groves, Clarence Gardens and Yearsley Pool are top sights worth seeing.

The Groves
Aerial view of York minster in England

Bishophill

If you're spending some time in Bishophill, Micklegate Bar and Yorvik Brass Rubbing Centre are top sights worth seeing.

Bishophill

Foss Islands Travel Guide

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