Minster Gardens. Yorkshire Day 2026 : Step into Nature and History within York's City Walls

Discover York's nature and heritage and celebrate Yorkshire Day by exploring our historic City Walls and ancient architecture. Follow the 'Stepping Stones Trail' and uncover hidden connections between nature, heritage and historic spaces. Learn about the nature and conservation practices which the Minster gardeners carry out in their day to day work below and around the city walls. Simply walk the walls from Bootham Bar or Monk Bar and follow the wall walk round the Minster Gardens and look out for the signs, featuring a mischievous imp, an inquisitive hedgehog and an adventurous worm. Look out for the recently-installed information panels inside Bootham Bar on your way through!

About the Stepping Stones Trail

Timed to celebrate Yorkshire Day the Step into Nature and History Within York’s City Walls 'Stepping Stones Trail' is centred around our iconic walls. Uncover the hidden connections between nature, heritage and historic spaces within the city. Designed to be enjoyed at your own pace (the whole thing can be completed in one go, or as a hop-on/hop-off with a break for a pub or picnic lunch and a spot of shopping), highlights include a Small Mammal Survey at the Museum Gardens, art displays at Foss Islands Wildflower Area and Station Rise, York Minster’s City Walls Nature Trail and North Yorkshire’s first floating ecosystem at North Street Gardens.

For orientation maps, information about projects and the other York 'Stepping Stone Trail' locations, come to the wild flower meadows, Station Road YO1 6HU / What3Words: ///clear.crush.lovely.

Additional information and online Stepping Stones Trail map available on the day from St Nicks.

See the Festival website listing for other events on the day Other events during the day