After a summer spent stationed across York’s streets, parks, riverbanks and landmarks, the twelve sculptures known as The Watchers of York are coming together one last time before heading off to their permanent homes.
From 3 to 13 September, all twelve figures will be reunited for a Final Gathering inside York Minster’s Chapter House — the first and only chance to see the complete set displayed together in one place. The project was produced by Make It York in partnership with York Minster, drawing inspiration from the medieval stone carvings that have kept watch over the Minster for hundreds of years.
Staged amid centuries of craftsmanship, stained-glass windows and the building’s own architectural heritage, the gathering is designed as a send-off for the wider trail, celebrating the storytelling, creativity and sense of community that have run through it, whether visitors spent the summer hunting down every last sculpture or are only just discovering them now.
Final chance
The event doubles as the final chance to bid on and take home one of the sculptures, with an auction that closes on Thursday 10 September and proceeds going to charity. Anyone interested can view the full collection in person before placing a bid online.
The wider city-wide trail itself comes to an end on 31 August, after a summer introducing residents and visitors to parts of York they might not otherwise have explored. Free maps showing where to find each Watcher are available from the Visit York Visitor Information Centre on Back Swinegate.
York Minster’s standard admission charge applies to visit the Final Gathering. The Minster is open 9.30am to 5pm Monday to Saturday (last admission 4pm), and 12.45pm to 3.30pm on Sundays (last admission 2.30pm), though opening hours are subject to change.
