Beverley: Walk with Bob Woodhouse

With a range of fine buildings that includes the Minster, St. Mary’s Church, the Friary and North Bar and settings such as the market areas and race course, Beverley ranks as one of this country’s most attractive market towns

Beverley Minster is described as one of Britain’s finest examples of medieval gothic architecture and features within its walls include a Saxon sanctuary chair, Percy tomb canopy and a collection of medieval carvings in stone and wood.

From the east end of the Minster we follow Minsteryard South ahead to turn left into Eastgate where Beverley Friary covers ground on our right hand side. Originally a Dominican Friary, it still contains many original features and now operates as a youth hostel.

Passing through the Friary’s Gardens via Friary Walk we head northwards to reach Station Lane where a left turn takes us into the Wednesday Market with its mixture of timber- framed, Georgian and modern buildings.

Continuing ahead into Butcher Row and then Walkergate there are reminders of earlier trades as we pass Morley’s Yard (left) to turn into Dyer Lane. At the junction with Cornhill we turn right to walk along Ladygate.

Turning left at the junction with Hengate we reach St Mary’s Church on the corner of North Bar Within. Most of the building dates from the 12th century and its many fine features include a ceiling in the chancel of 40 panels showing the Kings of England up to Henry V1.

From St. Mary’s Church we make our way towards North Bar. Rebuilt in brick in 1409 it is the town’s only surviving toll bar (of four) where merchants paid a fee to bring goods for sale.

Our route continues to the left along York Road and then left again into Pasture Terrace and round into Tiger Lane. At the junction with North Bar Within, we turn right and continue ahead into the Saturday Market and then Toll Gavel.

Towards the southern end of Toll Gavel we turn right into Cross Street and soon pass Beverley

Guildhall on our right in Register Square. At the crossroads the town’s Treasure House and Library is away on our right but we bear left into Well Lane and make our way ahead to Wednesday Market. Turning right (to the south west corner) we continue along Highgate to return to our starting point at Beverley Minster.