York Cat Trail

Are you looking for a purr-fectly delightful family adventure? Look no further than the York Cat Trail!

Explore the York Cat Trail!

This unique trail which is 100% free and can be done at your own pace takes you on a feline-themed journey through the charming streets of York. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, this trail offers a meow-velous opportunity to explore the city in a fun and whimsical way.

Discover the Hidden Cats

As you embark on the York Cat Trail, you’ll be greeted by adorable cat statues scattered throughout the city. These quirky sculptures are creatively designed, each with its own unique personality. From elegant and regal cats to mischievous and playful ones, these feline friends will bring a smile to your face as you discover them hidden in unexpected places.

Choose from the Short Central York Cat Trail or the longer York Cat Trail which covers a wider area of the city and can take up to 2 hours to complete.

Explore the Beautiful City of York

Grab your map and get ready to follow the paw prints that lead you from one cat to the next. Along the way, you’ll not only enjoy the thrill of the hunt but also get to explore the beautiful streets of York. Whether you’re strolling through the historic Shambles or wandering along the picturesque River Ouse, the York Cat Trail will take you on a delightful journey through this charming city.

Discover the Quirky York Cat Trail

Calling all treasure hunters! If you’re looking for a unique and quirky experience, the York Cat Trail is a must-visit destination. This trail is not just about admiring cute cat sculptures, it’s about immersing yourself in a world of feline fun and adventure.

The York Cat Trail offers a range of activities and experiences that will delight cat lovers of all ages. From interactive exhibits to cat-themed cafes and shops, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Step into a cat lover’s paradise as you explore the various cat-themed establishments along the trail, where you can indulge in delicious treats and find unique cat-inspired souvenirs to take home.

Where are the Cats in York Hidden?

At the time of writing, there are 22 cat statues for you to find throughout the city. Most of them are positioned high up on buildings or rooftops, so make sure you look up.

Some cats are easier to spot than others so you will have to keep your eyes open and hunt around for some cleverly disguised ones. Use our easy-to-follow guide below to help you locate all 22 cats.

Choose between the Short Central York Cat Trail or the entire York Cat Trail which can take up to 2 hours to complete.

Central York Cat Trail

This shorter cat trail which takes place around the city centre is ideal for families with younger children.

Start the trail in the Shambles and head downhill towards Marks and Spencer’s which is located on the right-hand side at the bottom of the street. Look across the road to The Golden Fleece where you will see Cat 1.

The Golden Fleece

One of York’s most haunted buildings, the Golden Fleece is home to five ghosts:

Lady Alice Peckett
Said to be found roaming the endless corridors and staircases.

Geoff Monroe
Located on the third floor of the building.

One Eyed Jack
Mostly sighted in the bottom bar, One Eyed Jack is said to be dressed in a red coat.

Grumpy Old Man
Again sighted in the bottom bar, this time crouched in a small alcove.

Small Child
Immediately behind the entrance to the pub is where the youngest of the ghosts has been most commonly sighted.

Whip-ma-whop-ma-gate

Turn left and left again up Whip-ma-whop-ma-gate (The shortest street in York with the longest name) onto Colliergate. Stop at Barnitts on the right-hand side of the street to find Cat 2, an unusual cat, being a carving and not a statue.

Cat 3 is located a little further along the street at the Home & Garden entrance to Barnitts (look for the clock).

Continue into Kings Square where you will see York’s Chocolate Story. Scan the roof-line around the square and you will see Cat 4 stalking a pigeon.

Proceed down St. Andrewgate, (the narrow street with Cafe Nero on the corner directly opposite York’s Chocolate Story). Here you will discover Cats 5 and 6, on the left-hand side of the street at houses ½ and number 1.

Continue along St. Andrewgate turning left onto Bartle Garth opposite the church. Follow the road, heading towards York Minster turning left just after Bedern Hall. The footpath brings you out onto Goodramgate. Turn left and just after the Cross Keys pub you will see Bob sat up on the windowsill.

The Mouseman of Kilburn

For added interest, if you follow the footpath opposite Caesers Italian restaurant towards the minster (just past the National Trust shop), you will find 2 mice carved by the famous mouseman of Kilburn on the old wooden doors at the entrance to ‘York Minster Conference & Banqueting Centre’.

Follow Goodramgate past The Hilt Axe Throwing bar to the crossroads and turn left at Boots pharmacy. Cross Kings Square past York’s Chocolate Story back down the Shambles which was your starting point. Here you will discover Lucky Cat 8 which is located outside the York Glass Shop where you can pick up your very own Lucky Cat.

York Cat Trail

This is a longer trail and can take up to 2 hours to complete.

Starting from the Shambles head downhill towards Marks and Spencer’s at the end of the street and turn left, as per the shorter trail Cat 1 can be spotted across the road at The Golden Fleece.

Entrance to The Merchant Adventurers Hall

Take the first right into Fossgate and head down the street past the many bars and restaurants. You will see the impressive entrance to the ‘Merchants Hall’ on the right-hand side.

Continue across the river onto Walmgate and you will find Cat 9 on the right-hand side at the ‘Chopping Block’. Cat 10 can be found opposite in the riverside garden of The Watergate Inn.

JORVIK Viking Centre

Now retrace your steps and take the first left onto Merchantgate (at the Red Lion Inn) and
then right onto Piccadilly. Just before the entrance to the carpark turn left and walk alongside the river into Coppergate Walk shopping precinct.

Here you will find JORVIK Viking Centre and Hole in Wand mini golf. Head out of the shopping precinct and turn left at Cafe Nero opposite the church onto Coppergate Road.

Take a close look at ‘The Three Tuns’ as this is where you will discover Cat 11.

The River Ouse

Continue to the end of the road and turn right. Turn left just before the pedestrianised shopping area onto Low Ousegate, following the main road down towards the river Ouse.

Look up at the buildings on the left-hand side of the street just before you reach the river and here you will find Cats 12 and 13. These are potentially the oldest surviving Cats.

These two cats are on the building of a former grocer where originally there were nine cat statues dating back to the 19th century. The nine statues were apparently put there to represent the lucky nine lives that cats have.

Cat 14 is a little more difficult to spot. Walk to the middle of the bridge across the river and look to the right-hand side. Follow the buildings downstream from ‘Yates’ to the buildings with the red-tiled roofs behind the trees, just before the balconies start. You should be able to see the cat walking along the ridge.

The Bricked Up Gate

Once you have spotted Cat 14, head back towards the city and on the right-hand side of the bridge adjacent to the ‘Slug & Lettuce’ head down the set of stairs that leads to the Kings Arms.

Walk along Kings Staith by the River Ouse, sticking to the lower path passing CityCruises and York Boat landings. Keep an eye on the wall which protects the houses from the river when it floods. You will reach a spot adjacent to a lamp post where the wall has been bricked up but the gate is still in place. It is here that you will find Cats 15 and 16.

Head back towards the bridge and turn right at the Lowther up Cumberland Street. You will see York Dungeon on your right-hand side and the Grand Opera House on your left.

Turn left at the Opera House onto the main road and head straight down into the pedestrianised area named Spuriergate. Walk down this street past the shops keeping a lookout for Holland & Barrett on the left-hand side where you will see Cat 17.

Continue down the pedestrianised street past the big clock and straight on through St Helens Square where the famous Bettys Café Tea Rooms are located.

Pass The Judge’s Lodging Hotel on your right-hand side and you will come out opposite the entrance to Museum Gardens. Cross over the road to the entrance of Museum Gardens and look back at the building on the right-hand corner where you will spot Cat 18 named Chambers.

Bootham Bar

Now go into the Museum Gardens and just before you reach the majestic Yorkshire Museum building, follow the path around to the right, signposted York Art Gallery. Exit the park, passing York Art Gallery on your left.

You will see Bootham Bar and an entrance to the City Walls on your right-hand side. Continue straight ahead, crossing the road onto Gillygate.

Half-way down the street just before you reach the row of street houses on the left hand-side you will see an old gas lamp on the opposite side of the street. Cat 19 is perched alongside the lamp.

You are now heading back into the city centre. Retrace your steps back to the traffic lights then turn left through Bootham Bar and walk along High Petergate towards York Minster.

When you see York Minster on your left continue straight ahead into the city centre and you will reach a crossroads.

Turn right at the crossroads onto Stonegate (look for the sign advertising ‘Ye Old Starre Inne’ stretching across the road. Not long before you reach the sign you will see Cat 20 sitting above a door on the left-hand side of the street.

Head back up the street to the crossroads and turn right onto Low Petergate, Cat 21 is on the right-hand side.

Pass ‘York Chocolate Story‘ back onto the Shambles where you will find Cat 22.

Visit Charming Neighbourhoods and Cosy Cafes

As you follow the trail, you’ll discover hidden gems and secret corners of York that you may have never explored before. The trail takes you off the beaten path and introduces you to charming neighbourhoods and cosy cafes that are beloved by locals. It’s a chance to see the city through a different lens, one that is filled with whimsy and feline charm.

So gather your friends and family and get ready for a day of awesome adventures. Whether you’re a resident of York or visiting from afar, the York Cat Trail is an experience not to be missed. Unleash your inner cat lover, embrace the joy of discovery, and create memories that will make you smile every time you think of this purr-fectly delightful trail.

Bettys York

No visit to York is complete without a trip to Bettys famous Café Tea Rooms, one of the city’s most popular attractions. The beautiful interiors are inspired by the Queen Mary ocean liner. The menus feature a unique mix of continental classics and British favourites and their legendary afternoon tea.

Betty’s Café Tea Rooms are located in St Helen’s Square between Cats 17 and 18.

Discount Entry to Yorks Attractions

Planning a visit to York? Enjoy discount entry to some of the city’s best attractions with York Pass, it’s the perfect accompaniment to your visit to the City.

Discover More About the York Pass

York Pass provides you with free entry to a number of the city’s top tourist attractions along with a number of additional benefits.

Click Here to visit the official York Pass Website to learn more about what’s on offer.
All your passes are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. Terms and Conditions Apply.

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Travelling to York

York is perfectly positioned midway between London and Edinburgh. Direct rail links will transport you from London, Edinburgh, and Manchester in around 2 hours. Manchester, Newcastle and Leeds/Bradford airports are within easy reach and the ports of Hull and Newcastle are both within a two-hour drive. The glorious Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors and Yorkshire Wolds are all within close proximity of the city. York offers lots of accommodation within the city and the surrounding areas.

Travelling by Train

Getting to York by train is both easy and great value for money. Virgin Trains and Grand Central will bring you to York in under two hours, while Edinburgh is only two and a half hours away. There are direct services from Birmingham and the South West and additionally, TransPennine Express runs direct train services from Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle. You can make great savings on advance train fares using Raileasy.

Travelling by Car

York is only 20 minutes from the M1/M62 motorway network, the city is within comfortable driving times of most regions in the UK. To make your trip to York even more convenient, six Park and Ride sites are in operation. They allow you to travel to York by car, park for free in secure car parks and complete your journey into the city centre by bus. To find the most convenient Park and Ride site click here.

Travelling by Coach

If you would like to travel by coach we recommend that you try National Holidays website.

Staying in York

There are loads of places to stay in and around York, with choices ranging from budget hotels to luxury self-catering holiday cottages.

Self-Catering Accommodation

If you planning a longer stay then self-catering is a great option and will provide you with the opportunity to enjoy the attractions within the City of York and beyond. Sykes Cottages offer a wide selection of hand-picked luxury holiday cottages in Yorkshire. Alternative Snaptrip has some great deals on cottages, lodges and apartments in York and the surrounding areas.

City Centre Hotels

Hotels.com offer a wide selection of hotel of hotels in York. For those travelling on a budget try Travelodge.

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