Events
York Civic Trust runs a varied programme of events for our members throughout the year. The Spring/Summer programme normally runs March-July, and the Autumn/Winter programme normally runs September-November.
Booking for the 2024 programme is available online and in-person at Fairfax House. We cannot take bookings over the phone.
Booking for the 2024 Autumn/Winter programme will go live at 9am on Thursday 15th August.
You can book in-person during Fairfax House’s opening hours from Thursday 15th August.
Please note that if you choose to book at Fairfax House, it will be open for visitors as well so reception may be very busy at times.
Events will have waitlist options if they sell out. You will be alerted if a ticket becomes available.
Currently our events are only available to York Civic Trust members unless explicitly stated on the event.
It is only with the support of our members that York Civic Trust is able to promote heritage to shape tomorrow. If you would like to play a vital role in helping us to secure a successful role for York’s heritage then please click here to find out more information about joining.
Most events run by York Civic Trust cost £10, inclusive of any booking fees. The booking page for each event will have the price for that event.
2024 Events
Bird’s Eye View of 1856 York
Tuesday 20th August, 6pm.
Nathaniel Whittock was a specialist artist, teacher and author. York is among the few cities he selected to draw a coloured Bird’s Eye View of every building, street, tree, carriage, puff of smoke, both sides of the Ouse….. Perhaps he and colleague, John Storey, were in a tethered balloon?
The resulting engraving is fascinating, though few original copies still exist. One of the Views has been gifted to the Merchant Adventurers Hall, in memory of former Trustee and President, Darrell Buttery. Detailed scans of the engraving can bring the York scenes to life.
Peter Brown’s illustrated talk will take you through the streets and places you still know, but looked different then – and those which have gone since the 1850s.
Peter Brown MBE FSA was the curator of Fairfax House from 1984 to 2015, and is the author of numerous books. He is currently writing the history of the 100+ properties owned by York Conservation Trust.
Click here to book your tickets.
York Racecourse – Southern End Development Visit
Thursday 5th September, 2pm.
Members will have the opportunity to see the £5 million investment of additional lawns, catering, betting facilities and big screens, all landscaped to reflect the summer nature of the venue, at the southern end of the Racecourse.
The creation of new racegoer lawns, centralised beneath a high-level canopy, will be similar to the John Carr canopy at the northern end of the Racecourse. Highlights include refurbishing the 1913 Bustardthorpe Stand and replacing the 1950s single-storey extension to the rear with a high-quality extension to compliment the work of Walter Brierley, along with sustainable water provision, a green living roof and infrastructure to support the Racecourse’s recycling initiatives.
The scheme has been developed by the Yorkshire firm, Dawson Williamson Architects, with the main contractor being York-based Lindum.
Click here to book your tickets.
A Tour of the Snickelways of York
Monday 9th September, 10:30am.
Due to popular demand, this is a repeat of the event held in July.
The Civic Trust are working with York Bid and the University of York to research, enhance and interpret the snickelways of the city centre. Find out more about the discoveries and experience the rejuvenated snickelways with Andrew Morrison. Meet at Fairfax House – the tour will include Peter Lane, Kirk Lane, Pope’s Head Lane, Three Cranes Lane, Finkle Street, Lund’s Court and Nether Hornpot Lane.
Click here to book your tickets.
Guided tour of York Cemetery
Thursday 12th September, 2:30pm.
York Cemetery was opened in 1837 and comprises 24 acres of semi-landscaped and wild areas.
Join a member of the Friends of York Cemetery on a conducted tour showcasing the social history of 19th, 20th and 21st centuries, including many memorials to those associated with the life of York and the Civic Trust.
Click here to book your tickets.
Walking tour of the York Trailblazer sculpture trail
Monday 16th September, 2:30pm.
A walking tour to explore some of the 17 York Trailblazer sculptures that have been installed across the city. Visit the city centre sculptures and find out more about these hidden trailblazers and what inspired local artists and community groups to celebrate these people from both the past and the present.
Click here to book your tickets.
Our Viking Neighbourhood Walk – Part Two
Thursday 19th September, 2pm.
Dr Peter Addyman, whose leadership brought Jorvik to life, will take members on a walk around the city’s Viking areas, alluding to and surmising on Viking streets and public life.
On an earlier walk this year, Dr Peter Addyman covered the Walmgate/King’s Square area. This second walk continues the theme in the area between Coppergate and Skeldergate.rrently writing the history of the 100+ properties owned by York Conservation Trust.
Click here to book your tickets.
Ouse Bridge and the Staithes
Tuesday 24th September, 10:30am.
For centuries Ouse Bridge has been central to movement across North Yorkshire, political power in York and the site of some of York’s most significant religious events.
With input from York Civic Trust, one of the first actions of City of York Council’s developing Movement and Place Plan will be to improve the experience of visiting Ouse Bridge.
This walk led by Duncan Marks and Andrew Morrison will explore the history of the bridge and the surrounding area and how the past might inform future plans.
Click here to book your tickets.
T Hopkins & Son of York: a talented local organ-building business
Thursday 26th September, 2pm.
St Barnabas’ Church contains a beautiful organ built by T Hopkins & Son of York in 1905. Dr Maximillian Elliott will talk about the history of organ-building in nineteenth-century York (a thriving industry!) – focussing specifically upon the work of Thomas Hopkins and his son, Walter.
Max will then play a short programme of music selected to highlight the organ’s many qualities.
At the end of Max’s presentation, you will be invited to examine the console (keyboards and pedalboard of the organ) in person and given the chance to play a few notes yourself.
Click here to book your tickets.
York Civic Trust Annual General Meeting
Thursday 3rd October, 6:30pm.
York Civic Trust will be holding its Annual General Meeting on Thursday 3rd October 2024. Following the business meeting there will be an opportunity for members to socialise over drinks.
The meeting will be held in person at the National Centre for Early Music. You must be a member of York Civic Trust to attend.
Click here to book your tickets.
Exhibition Square – Walk
Tuesday 8th October, 10:30am.
Exhibition Square represents the meeting point of St Mary’s Abbey, York Minster, the city and the county. The experience of visiting the square is blighted by the impact of one of York’s busiest junctions. With input from York Civic Trust, the City of York Council’s developing Movement and Place Plan will be to improve the area around Exhibition Square for residents, businesses and visitors.
This walk led by Duncan Marks and Andrew Morrison will explore the rich history of the surrounding area and how the past might inform future plans.
Click here to book your tickets.
Goddards Garden: Our Northern Gem – Talk
Tuesday 8th October, 7pm.
For most garden enthusiasts, the name ‘Goddards’ probably suggests the Edwin Lutyens and Gertrude Jekyll collaboration in Surrey. But the York Goddards was built in 1926-7 for Noel and Kathleen Terry, designed by Walter Brierley, and is now in the care of the National Trust. It is surrounded by an important survivor of a mid-war period ‘suburban’ garden. George Dillistone (1877-1957), who designed the garden, is an unjustly neglected figure – despite the many gardens he designed, his contemporaries’ approval, his writing, and his founding role in the Institute of Landscape Architects. Goddards may be the only remaining garden where he designed both hard landscaping and planting and that still exists in its entirety, attached to the house for which it was planned. The illustrated talk by garden historian, Professor Gillian Parker, uses Goddards’ Arts and Crafts garden as a framework for exploring Dillistone’s landscape design significance, his life and work and his relationship with the Terrys and their architect.
Gillian Parker: since retiring from a long career as a researcher in health and social care policy, Gillian has been turning herself into a garden historian. She completed a Post-graduate Diploma in Garden and Landscape History at the Institute of Historical Research, University of London in 2020 and since 2021 has been a post-graduate research student in the Department of Landscape Architecture at the University of Sheffield, especially illuminating the history of the Backhouse Nursery of York. Her interest in George Dillistone started with her role as a volunteer in his garden at Goddards, and she has had full access to the archives of the National Trust and of the Terry/Dillistone material held at the Borthwick Institute.
Click here to book your tickets.
Railway to Greenway: York to Selby Railway Line – Talk
Thursday 10th October, 6:30pm.
The Solar System Greenway is a traffic free path that runs from York to Riccall. It is a green corridor, recognised as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation. Yet 40 years ago this was the route of the East Coast Main Line from London to Edinburgh. The discovery of coal reserves under the green fields led to the creation of the Selby Pit, the largest deep mine in Europe. Fear of subsidence led to the diversion of the line to the west. The redundant track was sold to Sustrans for £1 and became the first section of what is now the National Cycle Network. Volunteers from the University of York then created a 6-mile scale model of the Solar System that gives the path its name.
Click here to book your tickets.
A Tour of Bootham’s History
Tuesday 15th October, 2pm.
This is a repeat of the event held on 17th June. Another chance to hear Roger Wools who has lived on Bootham for nearly half a century, and is an expert on the history of this ancient northerly approach to the City. Roger will guide us from its start at Bootham Bar until it blends into Clifton. We will hear stories of the people who have lived there and how they have shaped the use of the buildings over the centuries.
Click here to book your tickets.
Masonic Hall Visit
Thursday 24th October, 2:30pm.
A visit to the Duncombe Place historic Freemasons Lodge ,which is the oldest freemasons lodge in the city. The building is mid Victorian in part with architects John Edwin Oates responsible for the building exterior and Barton Wilson for the interior. A large extension was built in the early 20th century which including some recycled eighteenth century panelling. With highly decorative interiors it is home to several masonic lodges in the city.
Click here to book your tickets.
Animal Trail Walk
Wednesday 30th October, 2:30pm.
An animated walk for members, both young and young at heart.
You may have seen a few cats stalking along the rooflines of York. But have you ever really noticed how many? Or other animals adorning the buildings?
Come walk with us around the city centre to find out. And, as it will be half term, each member can bring along up to two children (age limit 16 years) to help us spot them.
Click here to book your tickets.
A Visit to Herbert House
Friday 8th November, 2pm and Friday 22nd November, 2pm.
One of York’s most important, fascinating and elaborate, surviving Tudor buildings.
This beautiful house which occupies such a dominant position on the Pavement in York is owned by the York Conservation Trust who are undertaking a radical refurbishment project starting in 2026.
There are two opportunities for members to have a look at parts of the interiors which are not usually open to public view before the works starts – please only book one date.
Click here to book your tickets for Friday 8th November
Click here to book your tickets for Friday 22nd November
New Roman View of York – Talk
Friday 22nd November, 6:30pm.
Join Prof Martin Millett of the University of Cambridge to hear about the results of his innovative project to discover Roman York beneath the streets using the latest ground-sensing technology. The project a collaboration between the Universities of Cambridge, Reading, Ghent and York Museums Trust and York Archaeology has set out to produce a comprehensive re-mapping of Eboracum.
Click here to book your tickets.
Past Events
Have a look at some of the events we have done in the past to get a taste for what our members get up to.
Visit to the Community Stadium
Tour of Barley Studio
Wednesday 13th March 2024.
Barley Studio has an international reputation for excellence in stained glass creation, restoration and conservation for cathedrals, stately homes, parish churches and prestigious secular buildings across the UK and beyond. In 2024, Barley Studio is celebrating 50 years. The studio is rarely open to the public but invited the Civic Trust to visit as part of its anniversary celebrations. Its home is a purpose-built, stained glass studio in Dunnington, where new stained glass is created and old windows are conserved and restored. Our members had the opportunity to meet the talented team of artists, conservators and craftspeople, and see work in progress, including Helen Whittaker’s new stained glass window for Selby Abbey.
Wednesday 1st Feb 2023
York Civic Trust’s 2023 event season kicked off at York City Football Club’s new home. The Club’s Historian Paul Bowser told us all about the Club’s highs and lows, both on and off the pitch … when York beat Manchester United, why the fans bought the club and the story of the trophies in the Board Room. We finished up with a cup of tea in the Media (Community) Room!
On Location: Gentleman Jack at Fairfax House
Thursday 16th March 2023
Fairfax House, our very own Georgian townhouse, has been used as a filming location for two seasons of the major BBC and HBO drama, Fairfax House.
Rachel Wallis, Collections Manager and Assistant Curator at Fairfax House, gave an exciting evening talk in the Saloon, allowing our members to go behind the scenes of what filming a major period drama in a historic house is like.
We had a drinks reception, including an 18th century punch!
