Your York BID 
Ghosts in the Gardens
Saturday 19th September - Sunday 1st November
Your York BID
Ghosts in the Gardens
Saturday 19th September - Sunday 1st November
Cementing York’s reputation as one of the most haunted cities in Europe, York BID brings you Ghosts in the Gardens – historic sculptures in beautiful settings.
From September, York's streets and green spaces will once again play host to a city-wide gathering of ghostly figures as our Ghosts in the Gardens take their places across historic sites.
Now a cornerstone of York's cultural calendar, Ghosts in the Gardens has already attracted thousands of visitors to the city, encouraging people to explore York in a new way - discovering gardens, ruins, and hidden corners they may never have seen before.
Drawing visitors across the city to explore York’s rich history, green spaces, and hidden stories.
Crafted in partnership with York-based creative team Unconventional Design, the translucent wire-mesh figures range from soldiers to monks, each one evoking a different layer of the city's haunted past.
The Ghosts in the Gardens trail remains free to enjoy, making it accessible for all. Pick up your map from the Visitor Information Centre on Back Swinegate to get started.
Ghosts After Dark Returns
Experience Ghosts in the Gardens like never before
Ghosts After Dark is back and bigger than ever, with 70 unique ghostly sculptures lurking throughout York Museum Gardens, King’s Manor Courtyard, and Library Lawn. Meet York’s finest storytellers as they bring the city’s legendary ghosts to life, against an atmospheric background of smoke and sound.
Barley Hall
Always visible. 1 ghost.
The Shambles
Always visible. 1 ghost.
Clifford's Tower
Always visible. 1 ghost.
The Judge's Lodging
Always visible. 1 ghost.
The Dig Garden
Always visible. 2 ghosts.
York Castle Museum Garden
Museum open 10am to 5pm. Always visible from Tower Street. 1 ghost.
Merchant Adventurers' Hall
Open from 10am to 4pm. 4 ghosts.
St Anthony's Gardens
Open daily from 9am. 7 ghosts.
Middletons Hotel
Open daily. 2 ghosts.
Treasurer’s House
Open Saturday to Wednesday from 11am to 4pm. 3 ghosts.
Artists' Garden
Open daily 9am to 5:30pm. Access via Museum Gardens or through Exhibition Square via alley to the side of the art gallery. 1 ghost.
Edible Wood
Open daily from 9am to 5:30pm. Access via Museum Gardens or through Exhibition Square via alley to the side of York Art Gallery. 3 ghosts.
Library Lawn
Open daily from 9am. 1 ghost.
York Museum Gardens
Open daily from 9am to 6pm. 15 ghosts (including 2 owls).
St Olave's Church
Open from 9am to 5pm. Access through York Museum Gardens or St Olave's Church via Marygate. 3 ghosts.
Holy Trinity Church (Goodramgate)
Open Wednesday to Sunday from 11am to 4pm. 2 ghosts.
Fishergate Postern Tower (Bar Walls)
Always visible. 1 ghost.
Merchant Taylors' Hall
Always visible. 1 ghost.
York Railway Station
Always visible. 1 ghost.
The Milner York Gardens
Always visible. 1 ghost.
Anglican Tower (Behind Library Lawn)
Always visible. Enter through library lawn and follow path behind the library. 1 ghost.
Kings Staith (City Cruises Landing)
Always visible. 3 ghosts.
Cumberland Street (The York Dungeons exit)
Always visible. 1 ghost.
The Norman House (Off Stonegate)
Open from 9am daily. Courtyard entrance to the right of House of the Trembling Madness, Stonegate. 1 ghost.
Fairfax House
Always visible. View from rear of Fairfax House on Castle Walk. 2 ghosts.
Patch (Balcony Overlooking River)
Always visible. View from South Esplanade. 1 ghost.
Parliament Street
Always visible. 1 ghost.
St Martin le Grande
Always visible. View from Coney Street. 1 ghost.
City Screen
Always visible. 1 ghost.
York Art Gallery (Fountain)
Always visible. 1 ghost.
King’s Manor
Please refer to opening hours while works are ongoing. 4 ghosts.
Monk Bar
Always visible. 1 ghost.
Share your photos for the chance to win a £50 York Gift Card!
Terms & Conditions:
- Entrants must be 18 or older.
- Prize is one £50 York Gift Card.
- No cash alternative.
- Submit your best Ghosts in the Gardens photographs by tagging us on social media (@the_york_bid) or email info@theyorkbid.com.
- By submitting a photograph to the competition, the entrant agrees to grant York BID full rights to use any submitted photographs in digital and printed material without any further compensation to the entrant, including but not limited to social media, digital, brochures, and advertisements.