York 'unlocked' as historic buildings open up

Holgate Windmill is one of the venues open as part of the project

A 16th Century tower, a Masonic Hall and an 18th Century windmill are among the buildings set to open to visitors in York at the weekend.

The historic and unusual sites will be accessible as part of York Unlocked, which runs from 27-28 September.

Now in its fourth year, organisers said there were more than 50 buildings and places that the public could visit for free, including "rarely opened spaces".

Project lead Steve Morgan said the event was a chance for everyone to "step inside buildings they might pass every day but never enter".

Organisers said York's Assembly Rooms, built in 1730, was the first neoclassical building constructed outside of Italy. They are now part of a restaurant

A spokesperson for York Unlocked, a not-for-profit community company, said pre-booked tickets for the event had "sold out quickly", but explained there were "many more buildings people could drop in to without a ticket".

Organisers said some of the buildings visitors can visit without tickets include:

• Assembly Rooms (ASK restaurant)

• Merchant Taylors' Hall

• St Saviourgate Masonic Hall

• Bedern Hall

• York Railway Institute

Visitors can explore Fishergate Postern Tower between 10:00 and 16:00 BST, organisers said

Venues also include Fishergate Postern Tower, the Hospitium in the Museum Gardens and Holgate Windmill.

Fishergate Postern Tower was built in around 1505. It was a small gateway into the city, marking the end of the city walls.

Organisers said Holgate Windmill was built in 1770 and bought in 1939 by the York Corporation before falling into disrepair.

Holgate Windmill Preservation Society formed in 2001 and installed 35ft windmill blades. It now stands as York's last surviving five-sailed windmill.

Mr Morgan said the York Unlocked event was "a chance for everyone to be nosy and appreciate the wonderful architecture that York has to offer".

The event is inspired by the International "Open House" series of events, providing access to noteworthy buildings in cities across the world.

Many buildings taking part are not normally open to the public, while others reveal areas that are not usually accessible.

The pre-booked programme features tours of Bettys, the Nestle product development centre, the Terrys clock tower, the Guildhall council chambers, the National Railway Museum, Bootham School and the Cocoa Works development on the former Rowntree factory site.

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