Red Tower
📍 Foss Islands Rd, York YO1 9UJ, UK
About Red Tower
The Red Tower is a distinctive historic landmark forming part of York's famous city walls, offering a unique glimpse into the city's past. This community-run tower serves as a welcoming and memorable stop for visitors exploring the ancient fortifications. Highly regarded by guests, it boasts an excellent Google rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Managed by dedicated volunteers, the Red Tower provides essential facilities for those walking the wall, including access to toilets and opportunities to refill water bottles. Visitors often appreciate the chance to enjoy a tea, coffee, or juice, typically available by donation. It’s known as a friendly rest point, occasionally hosting informative talks or offering surplus grocery items, fostering a strong sense of community spirit and support for local exploration.
Visiting Information
Opening hours for the Red Tower are not provided; please check their official website for the most up-to-date information. Payment for available items like drinks or groceries is typically by donation, supporting the tower's ongoing community efforts. Please note that wheelchair accessible parking is not available at this location.
Location
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📍 Foss Islands Rd, York YO1 9UJ, UK
from 171 reviews
Google Reviews
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Showing 5 of 171 reviews from Google Maps.Last updated 6 February 2026.
My wife and I was walking the city walls of York on a rainy Saturday morning, we came across the red tower, the kind gentleman that was outside welcomed us to use the facilities that they have, use of the toilet and a chance to fill our water bottles, he then informed us that there was a talk about to start up stairs so we went up, upstairs there was another gentleman who was conveying the history of the red tower, one of the interesting things to hear about the tower is they collect food for the food banks there, all of the staff are volunteers and they give up so much of their time to help others, I felt that was really heart warming, thank you the staff at the red tower.
Lovely stop off on our walk around York wall. Tea, coffee, juice and surplus grocery items available for a donation.
Walk the wall very enjoyable experience walking the York city wall, you get great view of the surrounding sites of York, you wouldn't normally see, Well worth making the effort to do whilst in York and it's free.
The tower dates back to 1490. It is the only brick built tower on the medieval city walls. Originally was a watchtower part of a larger programme of improvements to the city’s defences ordered by Richard III and completed by his successor, Henry VII.
The city walls made for a lovely walk around the city, some bits missing, so follow the map better than we did to join it again! Great views of the Minster