Snickelways of York, Footpath network in York, England
The Snickelways of York are a network of narrow footpaths and alleys that cut through the old city of York, in England. They run between stone walls and centuries-old buildings, linking main streets to hidden courtyards and back passages.
Most of these passages date back to medieval times, when traders and residents needed shortcuts between the city's streets and markets. The word "Snickelway" itself was coined in 1983 by local writer Mark W. Jones, who mapped and documented them in a book that sparked renewed interest in the routes.
Many of the lanes carry names rooted in old trades or local stories, like Finkle Street, which means "crooked street" in Old English. Walking through them today, you pass small shops, pubs, and courtyards that have been part of daily city life for generations.
The paths are open to walkers all year and free to use. Because many are narrow and have uneven paving, sturdy shoes are a good idea, and it helps to allow extra time to find the less obvious turnings.
Pope's Head Alley is so narrow that it stays in shadow for most of the day, and it is barely wide enough for one person to pass through comfortably. The same alley was mentioned in an 18th-century book about York by Francis Drake, and it still appears on ghost walk tours today.
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