Amongst York’s most uniquely charming features are its snickelways, the often narrow, winding passages that snake throughout the city centre. Popularised in local author Mark W. Jones’ 1983 book A Walk Around the Snickelways of York, the word ‘snickelway’ is an amalgamation of ‘snicket’, ‘ginnel’, and ‘alleyway’, and, whether you’ve lived in York your whole life or are a more recent arrival, chances are that you’re yet to discover all of the numerous nooks and crannies the city has to offer…
Coffee Yard (formerly Langton Lane)
One of the best-known snickelways in York, Coffee Yard is a likely familiar cut-through that can be entered via Stonegate (opposite Evil Eye, next to the famous ‘Printer’s Devil’ statue), or Swinegate (next to Wildes Bar and Bistro). Stretching 220 feet in length, Coffee Yard is considered the longest snickelway in York. It is also the site of the famous Barley Hall, a now reconstructed medieval townhouse that was first erected around 1360.
Lady Peckett’s Yard
Possibly the most beautiful of all the city’s snickelways, the picture-perfect Lady Peckett’s Yard is favoured by tourists and locals alike seeking a magical, atmospheric, and Instagrammable snap. This narrow ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ snickelway is located on Pavement, directly between the York Gin shop and Pizza Hut. Lady Peckett’s Yard’s current name was taken from the 1701-1702 Lord Mayor of York, John Peckett’s wife, Alice Peckett.
Lund’s Court (formerly Mad Alice Lane)
Another snickleway named after an Alice is Mad Alice Lane, a much-loved and well-known passage that serves as an evocative source of local folklore. Connecting Swinegate and Low Petergate, this reportedly haunted snickelway takes its former title from the notorious Mad Alice, a semi-fictional figure who is said to have been hanged in 1825. Local legend indicated that poor Alice continues to haunt the site to this day…
Pope’s Head Alley
As the narrowest of all the snickelways in town, Pope’s Head Alley may not be the best choice for claustrophobic readers! At just 2 feet 7 inches wide, this thin passage is favoured by ghost tour operators, and can be entered via either High Ousegate (it’s located between the Lakeland and Ryman Stationery stores) or Market Street.
Catch Part Two of Walking York’s Snickelways in our next issue!
Calling all photographers! We’re on the lookout for local photographers willing to submit their snickelway snaps and top shots of town, to be used for our new HIDDEN YORK feature. To submit your pictures of York that will POP on a page, please email info@yourlocallink.co.uk today!
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