Fossgate York

Welcome to our guide to Fossgate, York. Here you can find information, history and a guide to the best places and things to see and do. Below we list a little about the street's history as well as a guide to what is located here including attractions, shops, pubs, cafes, restaurants and places of historical interest.

About Fossgate

Fossgate began its life in Roman times as part of the south easterly route out of the fortress and then became a proper street under the Vikings. They built a wooden bridge over the River Foss which connected Fossgate to a new street that they constructed called Walmgate on which they built many houses. The current bridge was built in 1811 and replaced an earlier bridge on which the seafood market was situated in medieval times. The market would open (similar to the the New York Stock Exchange) on the tolling of what was known as the scatty (skaite) bell at 11am.

The sea fish was brought to the market by traders who travelled up to 50 miles over the moors from places like Whitby. The fish was stored in wicker panniers slung on the side of pack horses.

The tradition of selling fish continued in Fossgate in Victorian times when a fish market was built in a building now housing an Italian restaurant.

In the first two decades of the 20th century, Fossgate became a very fashionable street and the first purpose built cinema in the city opened in 1911. The building is now occupied by a furniture store.

Today the tradition of food continues along Fossgate in the form of some of the best restaurants in York( many offering sea food), along with a variety of shops, delis, bars and cafes..