York Walks /1

Straker's Passage

Photographed in January 2004

Signpost denotes that we are now entering Straker's Passage. The entrance to Straker's Passage from Carmelite Street

An interesting alleyway between Fossgate and Garden Place. I don't know anything about "Straker", or why he/she has a passage named after him/her, or if indeed a "straker" was some kind of profession or interest. It could be something rude, indeed. [See updated info, below]
I'm just off to look it up on Google, while you have a wander down here.

Immediately ahead we note that a rendered brick wall, painted white once, is now decorated with graffiti also. The bendy corner bit in the middle of Straker's Passage
Progressing along Straker's Passage towards Fossgate View along the main stretch of Straker's Passage, looking towards its Fossgate entrance.
Rather impressive lamp to light our way. Though it might not actually work. As it's daylight, I've no idea. Was advised not to visit here at night (!), so I won't find out, I guess.

Rather impressive lamp to light our way. Though it might not actually work. As it's daylight, I've no idea. Was advised not to visit here at night (!), so I won't find out, I guess.

The photos above are the journey along Straker's Passage from the Garden Place end to its Fossgate entrance.

Photos of the other direction – Fossgate entrance to Garden Place, appear below. (A combination of photos from two visits, hence the obviously rain-soaked paving in some photos and not in others.)

The view down Straker's Passage from the Fossgate entrance. The best thing about these ancient rights of way is that they're so often gently curved, reminding us that humans made them pathways, possibly, by the looks of things, while wandering home drunk. Down Straker's Passage, from Fossgate. Note the way that old stone paving reflects light so handsomely when it's wet. You don't get that with your modern new-fangled tarmac.
It's that bendy corner bit again, seen from the other side.

I know it's not beautiful, particularly with the graffiti, but it's real, it's full of character, and I love it. I imagine when they redevelop nearby Hungate and fill it full of desirable housing, they'll come along here and tidy it up.

As you approach the end of Straker's Passage the large 1950s-built telephone exchange is straight ahead. It forms a striking contrast with the narrow and enclosed alleyway, as its wall of windows looms above you, reflecting the sky.

Lovely old brick walls of Straker's Passage, continuing to the entrance opposite the old telephone exchange. Telephone exchange building, reflecting the sky.

Alongside the graffiti-covered walls, decorated by humans, I noticed this wall, decorated by nature. Hart's Tongue Ferns and other tough little plants provide a cheery bit of unexpected greenery on a cold January day.

Ah, lovely greenery. The wall to our right, as we enter this darker and damper part of the alley, has been decorated by nature, in the form of Hart's Tongue Ferns and other tough little plants.

Related pages: more Narrow lanes and snickelways (York Walks /3)

Update – March 2011

Thanks to John who emailed to say "Ref Straker's Passage, York – I believe it to be named after the family Straker who lived close by and had various businesses in the location. My great, great, great grandfather William Straker the baker being one."