YORK’S ‘Royal’ street is the subject of a new local history book, out this week.

For months, the Clements Hall Local History Group in York has been working on its latest release, this time featuring Micklegate, subtitled ‘the Great Street of York’.

It’s a fascinating street, sweeping in an elegant curve from Micklegate Bar’s Royal entrance down to Ouse Bridge. But how much do you know about those historic buildings that line Micklegate?

Book cover of new local history book on Micklegate(Image: )

There are several grand Georgian houses, such as Garforth House, Micklegate House and Bathurst House. These have seen many changes of use over the centuries, while still reflecting historic architectural traditions. But there are many more buildings with intriguing histories, changing the character of the street over the centuries.

Bathurst House in Micklegate(Image: )

Local people will remember many well known businesses, such as Whitby Oliver, Shouksmiths and Spelmans, some still reflected in ghost signs.

To capture Micklegate’s history, the group has been investigating the origins of every building, who lived there and who was trading there from early times to the modern day.

Recommended reading:

Revealed: What happened to last batch of Terry’s Chocolate Orange made in York

Through the keyhole: Britain’s oldest inhabited house – here in York

‘It’s been astonishing’ – event offers glimpse inside unseen York buildings

They’ve used York’s Historic Environment Record (HER), the census, trade directories, old newspapers and the City Archives, to uncover much detail. Local memories and old photos have also played an important part in this research.

Susan Major from the group said: “It’s been a really fulfilling project, some of our team are experienced researchers, while others have been investigating the history of buildings, traders and occupants for the first time. It’s been fascinating to uncover so many interesting stories.”

Whitby Oliver ghost sign in Micklegate (Photo by Susan Major)(Image: )

The resulting book, the sixth in a series of popular and award-winning publications, will be launched on October 15.

It has 184 pages with 160 illustrations (colour and black and white), and will be on sale, priced at £15, at Waterstones in the city centre and at Monks Cross; the Amnesty bookshop on Micklegate; Pextons Hardware, and Frankie & Johnny’s Cookshop on Bishopthorpe Road.