Walmgate Bar, survivor of gun attacks and road crashes, to be restored for visitors

© Krystian Hasterok

The public will be able to walk above the most complete of the four medieval gateways which came under a pounding from Parliamentarians during the fierce battle of the mid-17th century Siege of York.York City Council has announced plans to invest £100,000 in restoring Walmgate Bar, which was battered by five guns set up on the nearby Lamel Hill during the 1644 attacks.Residents have lived at the Bar since at least 1376, when an annual rent of ten shillings was paid. Severed heads were also displayed there during the 15th century, and a tunnel was built beneath the Bar and filled with explosives before being cut off by a separate mine built by its defenders.“Walmgate Bar was struck by a vehicle in 2010,” says John Oxley, the City Archaeologist.“We’ve had these unattractive supports in place since then, but this restoration work will allow us to remove the supports and at the same time improve the Bar for the tenants and their customers.“People will be able to walk on the roof and barbican for the first time in many, many years.”A “unique” system will support the timber-framed extension of the bar, protecting it in the event of the columns being struck by vehicles again.The work will also install thermal installation, repair the roof, create a discreet viewing platform on the roof and add a hand rail to the Barbican walkway in a project expected to begin in December.