York: World Class Heritage City
The City of York is bidding to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrating the strengths of York’s archaeological, historical and cultural environment.
York World Heritage Steering Group
Introduction
With 2000 years of history, York represents all periods of English and European history above, below and in the ground, through:
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its outstanding archaeological deposits
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a world-renowned built heritage
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significant cultural collections in its museums, galleries and archives
These qualities make York one of the most interesting and important places in the world, and York is now pursuing World Heritage Status so that these outstanding universal qualities are recognised and celebrated
Success will be world recognition for all of York’s history - its built and cultural heritage, as well as its excellence in archaeology. York has a 2000 year history of continuous occupation and activity in a compact area, reflected by well-preserved above and below ground archaeology.
As a World Heritage Site York would demonstrate how to act as a successful custodian of the city’s below-ground history for future generations while presenting archaeology in an informative and entertaining way. This benefits the economy and the local community.
About this website
Follow the menu bars on the left for further information on the bid, a description of the proposed site and the main features of the waterlogged deposits. We also highlight outstanding events and personalities within York’s 2000 year history. If York is successful there will be tremendous benefits for the city, and these are highlighted, and that is why the bid has attracted huge support from York and the wider community. Links to a number of key stakeholder sites are included as well as the DCMS and UNESCO sites.
Background to World Heritage Status
The World Heritage Convention (adopted by UNESCO in 1972) was ratified by the United Kingdom in 1984. The Convention provides for the identification, protection, conservation and presentation of cultural and natural sites of “outstanding universal value” and requires a World Heritage list to be established under the management of an inter-governmental World Heritage Committee.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is responsible for the UK’s general compliance with the Convention and for nominating sites in England. It has decided that a new UK Tentative List will be created.
In June 2010, York submitted an application for designation as a World Heritage Site through an initial application for inclusion on the UK Tentative List. This application was made by City of York Council, supported by a York World Heritage Steering Group, chaired by Mrs. Janet Hopton MBE. The City’s application (and some 37 others) will be assessed by a panel of experts before the final Tentative List is announced later in 2011. Nominations on the UK List will be submitted to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee from 2012.
York is focusing its application on the quality of the archaeological deposits and the preservation of organic materials in waterlogged conditions. York is a world famous centre for archaeology, with a strong reputation for popularising archaeology (through Jorvik Viking Centre, DIG and its community excavations), and for the excellence of its international scientific reputation.
News and Events
18 June 2011: York Roman Festival. Three days of fun and entertainment focusing on York's Roman heritage.
5 May 2011: Gateways to the Past (part 2). Walk and talk by John Oxley, City Archaeologist. Starts at Fishergate Postern Tower and Postern Gate at 12:30, to Fishergate Bar, then finish around 2pm at Walmgate Bar, the most complete town gateway in England.
31 Mar 2011: Gateways to the Past: the medieval gates of York. Walk and talk by John Oxley, City Archaeologist. The bars of the medieval city performed a number of functions: places to collect taxes, the defence of the city, and places for performance. From Monk Bar at 12:30 to Bootham Bar and finish at Micklegate Bar at 2pm.
24th February–15th April, 2011:The Great Lost Library of Alcuin`s York.
York had a library and a school of European renown in the eighth century, but the library has vanished. Was it exported, recopied or destroyed during the Viking violence of 867?
York Minster Library, The Old Palace, York
Monday to Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
25 Feb 2011: Septimius Severus died in York on 2 February 211. He was cremated in the city and his ashes taken back to Rome in a porphyry urn. Walk and talk by John Oxley, City Archaeologist, to examine evidence of York in the 3rd century. An opportunity to visit the east angle tower of the Roman fortress. Sold out.
19 Feb 2011: Jorvik Viking Festival. Eight days of events celebrating York's Viking heritage. See details.
3 Feb 2011: Yorkshire Museum shortlisted for Art Fund Award. Vote for Yorkshire Museum.
1 Feb 2011: Celebrating Severus - York's African Emperor. A month of events to mark the 1800th anniversary of the death of Roman Emperor Septimius Severus, who died in York in 211. See details.
29 Jan 2011: Residents' Festival. A multitude of events demonstrating
the variety, depth, and fascination of York's heritage. See
details.
27 Jan 2011: Holocaust memorial Day. Walk and talk by John Oxley,
City Archaeologist, to explore evidence of the Jewish community in medieval
York with reference to archaeological and historical research. Sold
out.
11 Jan 2011: York's MPs secured an Adjournment Debate in the House of Commons to present a case for York as a World Heritage Site to The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, John Penrose. Download the Parliamentary debate recorded in Hansard as a PDF file. (91k)
February – June 2010: Exhibits from the Yorkshire Museum, including the Anglo-Saxon helmet, at the British Museum exhibition, “Medieval Treasures from York”, the first time the British Museum has dedicated a gallery to artefacts from another UK museum.
York World Heritage Steering Group
Mrs Janet Hopton MBE, Chairman
Mr John Oxley, City Archaeologist, City of York Council
Dr Peter Addyman CBE
Dr Richard Shephard, Chamberlain, York Minster
Mr John Walker, Chief Executive, York Archaeological Trust
Miss Alison Sinclair, Historian and Conservationist
Professor Sir Ron Cooke, Chairman, York Civic Trust
Mr Darrell Buttery, President, York Civic Trust
Mr Steve Davies MBE, Director, National Railway Museum
Mr Martin Watts, York Museums Trust
Mr Mike Woodward, York Museums Trust
Mr Ian Tempest, External Relations Manager, Visit York
Ms Gill Cooper, Head of Arts & Culture, City of York Council
Mr Steve Eccles, Press Office, City of York Council
Mr David Warburton, Head of Design, Conservation and Sustainable Development,
City of York Council
Councillor Dave Taylor, Heritage Champion, City of York Council
You can email comments to the Steering Group at worldheritageyork@googlemail.com