York’s new sculpture trail has launched today, bringing 12 striking sculptures to the city streets in a celebration of heritage, creativity and community.
Produced by Make It York in collaboration with York Minster, The Watchers of York is inspired by the carved grotesques high above York Minster.
The Watchers are protective characters connected to different parts of York’s story. Each has its own personality and purpose, reflected in the location it calls home. Some watch over the rivers, others guard green spaces and gateways, while several keep an eye on the city’s historic streets.
Each sculpture is individually designed and painted by a diverse mix of established artists, charities and art students. Each inspired by a different facet of the city’s rich history, character and cultural identity to bring the character to life.
The trail launched today, 29 June, and will run until 31 August 2026, inviting residents and visitors to discover York through the eyes of its newest guardians.
Plan your adventure
Free trail maps are available to pick up from the Visit York Visitor Information Centre.
Meet the Watchers, their guardianship, discover the artists and creators behind the sculptures, and follow the latest trail updates at: visityork.org/watchers-trail
Follow and share your photos and experiences online by tagging @VisitYork
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PRESS RELEASE: 29 June 2026
NOTES TO EDITORS
About Make It York – Make It York’s purpose is to develop and promote the city and its surroundings, nationally and internationally, as a vibrant and attractive place to live, visit, study, work and do business. Its mission is to grow the economic prosperity and wider wellbeing of York and its citizens. In practice, this means delivering a range of projects and programmes based around our corporate strategic priorities. These are, city positioning and profile-raising, ensuring an exciting city centre, and delivering the city’s ground-breaking cultural strategy.
About Visit York – Visit York is a part of Make It York and is the leisure tourism brand. Under the brand Visit York, Make It York’s aim is to market York as a must-see world-class destination to the leisure and business visitor and ensure investment to develop the quality of tourism in York. Activity covers all aspects of tourism marketing and PR, including market intelligence, as well as providing business support through the membership programme. Visit York operate the Visit York Pass, York’s city-sightseeing card, and run the Visitor Information Centre.
About York Minster – York Minster was built for the glory of God and this is reflected in every aspect of this ancient building, from the exquisite, handcrafted stone through to the unrivalled collection of medieval stained glass. York Minster remains a thriving church and everyone is invited to join the daily services, including choral Evensong sung Tuesday to Sunday during term time by the Choir of York Minster, visit to pray or light a candle or simply spend time absorbing the atmosphere of the cathedral.
