A Walk Around the Snickelways of York

by Mark W. Jones

An amusingly written walking guide to York's alleys, ginnels and snickets. Beautifully illustrated with pen and ink drawings and clear maps, this best-selling guidebook has sold almost 90,000 copies. Invaluable for anyone wishing to explore York's hidden secrets on foot. (Second Edition -- 3rd impression)

Genres: Travel

90 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Caitlin Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

the illustrations and tidbits in this were so cute <3 I love you, the British urge to have silly names for things

[Peter Longden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now in its 9th edition, I read the edition I bought in 1990, which presumably is very much out of date 31 years later, but no less a delight to read for Yorkophiles (or should that be Yorkiephile?) like me. Variously called “snickets, ginnels, alleyways, courts, yards, footstreets”, they are collectively known in York as “snickleways” and this is a beautifully illustrated tour of the fifty of them found in one of my favourite cities in the world.
I confess that I am a Yorkshireman through and through, so will have a slight bias towards all things Yorkshire! I bought the book in the early nineties and have revisited its pages because I saw it sticking out from a bookshelf I passed, as if an omen, because I was thinking about a setting for a story I was planning on writing. I lived in York for the four years I was at college there, but will not have taken much notice of them as a teenage P.E. student, unless there was one of the twenty-odd pubs within sight of the Minster to partake of as the ‘Minster Round’ on 21st birthdays!
But back to the book. It is a tour guide written with humour and historical details that brings these lesser known landmarks to life. Yes, on the tour a ‘snicklewayer’ will catch glimpses of the Minster, the walls (they get their own special section as the 51st snickleway) and other famous parts of the city, but, uniquely, it will be from different angles and places not usually seen on a York tour by bus, let’s say.
As an introduction to these little passageways through this beautiful city with its colourful historical past it is a delight for those who know the city well and for those getting an initial taste of its Yorkshire hospitality.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply perfection in a small handwritten volume. And having done two thirds of the walk I'm so looking forward to returning and finishing it.

I've been to York many many times, maybe close to a hundred over the years, it can become staid. One does the same route, the same shops, the same eateries.

For less than the price of two pints, this little handwritten book gives you a different viewpoint. Alleys that I'd thought were private paths open up into beautiful courtyards, quiet, peaceful, away from the hustle. Architecture I'd not seen. History that has been hidden. A canal I didn't even know was there.

Wonderful. It's now a treasure in my collection.

[Geoff Wall · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging book that I purchased second hand in its 3rd edition from 1986. This was following an illustrated talk from a local photographer who had walked round the route much more recently. The gentle humour added to the information and directions of a walk around the hidden ways of York. We look forward to going into places missed during our many visits over the last nearly 50 years that we have lived not far away from this lovely city.

[Rae Gee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written in the same style as Wainwright's books, this guide will take you on a delightful walk around York's many tiny streets and alleys (aka snickelways). The book is beautifully illustrated and has a wealth of information as well as a full fold out map at the back. I'll definitely be doing this on my next visit to York!

[Sally George · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish there were more books like this. Interesting, informative, packed with history, easy to follow, makes you want to walk the route therefore it has a healthy option to get you off the sofa, oh and highly amusing!

[Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

We bought the book and walked the Snickelways. Lots of history in these old ways and a book worth reading before you go walking

[Chris Otto · Rating 4 out of 5]

This illustrated guide offers a off-the-beaten-path historic tour of the 1,945-year-old English walled city that began its life as Eboracum. It was first published in 1983 and has gone through at least nine editions over the years. I read the 1984 second edition. So, not only am I reading a book about a place that I can't walk around (unless I jet across the Atlantic), but I'm reading about it as it existed 30-plus years ago. Some of the paths and alleys and secrets described in the book have, I'm sure, been lost in the name of "progress." But I like that. The book serves as both a vicarious tour and a time capsule of an ancient English city as it was in the 1980s.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant little guidebook done in the style of Wainwright's Lakeland Fells and Pennine Way tomes. You'll learn a lot abut York taking these walking tours.