York Cat Hunt 2024 The Cat Gallery Instructions
- June 25, 2024
- York Cat Hunt
Table of Contents
York Cat Hunt 2024 The Cat Gallery
Product Information
Specifications:
- Product Name: Cat Hunt Self-Guided Tour
- Location: York, UK
- Duration: Flexible, based on user preference
- Features: Interactive cat statues hunt, historical and architectural insights
Product Usage Instructions
Starting Point:
Begin your self-guided cat hunt at The Cat Gallery located at 45 Low
Petergate, YO1 7HT.
Cat Hunt Stats:
- Follow the directions towards York Minster and then down Stonegate to find Gordon.
- Cats 3 & 4 are temporarily withdrawn, proceed to Cats 5 & 6.
- Spot the cat on the roof opposite the Radisson Hotel near Ouse Bridge.
- Head towards King’s Staith and Friar’s Terrace to find cats on window ledges.
- Continue to Peckitt Street, Clifford Street, and Coppergate for more cat sightings.
- Look for the ghost cat on a building while on Pavement street.
- Explore Shambles to find cats on the left side of the street.
- Navigate through Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate and Colliergate for additional cat sculptures.
- Scan the roof line above the pub on King’s Square for more hidden cats.
- Continue along St Andrewgate and Bartle Garth to spot more cat sculptures.
Additional Instructions:
Follow the detailed directions provided for each cat location, enjoy the
hunt, and learn about the history behind each sculpture.
FAQ
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Q: Are there any entrance fees for the Cat Hunt Self-Guided Tour?
A: No, the tour is self-guided and does not require any entrance fees. You can explore at your own pace. -
Q: How long does the entire cat hunt usually take?
A: The duration of the tour can vary based on individual exploration speed and interest. On average, it can take a couple of hours to complete. -
Q: Are there any age restrictions for participating in the Cat Hunt?
A: The Cat Hunt Self-Guided Tour is suitable for all ages and can be enjoyed by families, children, and adults alike.
MAP OF YORK CAT HUNT
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Look towards The Cat Gallery shop – can you see him?
Alfie says: “This cat was commissioned by The Cat Gallery when they moved here in 2010.” -
Turn right towards York Minster, then almost immediately left down Stonegate. Can’t see him? Look just above the doorways!
Charlie says: “His name is Gordon, and he’s modelled on a real cat who was born without eyelids on one eye and wears an eyepatch to prevent infections.” -
Cats 3 & 4 have been temporarily withdrawn from our Cat Hunt. Major re-development work in that area is imminent and the cats could be hidden or removed at short notice.
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That would be a catastrophe for the Hunt!
Alfie says: “So, straight on to Cats 5 & 6.” -
Continue down Stonegate, one of York’s most historic streets. Note two of York’s oldest pubs and a plaque commemorating the birthplace of Guy Fawkes.
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Arriving in St Helen’s Square, admire the grandeur of the Mansion House, the largest purpose-built home for a Lord Mayor in England. Turn left onto Davygate, passing the world-famous Betty’s Tearoom on your right. Continue past Brown’s department store, then turn right into Feasegate. As it joins Market Street, take the little road straight ahead, Peter Lane. York is famous for “ginnels” and “snickelways”, tiny back alleys providing “secret” shortcuts for pedestrians. Keep right on Peter Lane, then turn right onto High Ousegate. Keep straight on at the traffic lights. As you approach Ouse Bridge, look to your left.
Charlie says: “These are the two oldest cats on our Hunt, placed here by Sir Stephen Aitchison in the 1920’s. Some say he put them there to scare away rats, but maybe he thought they would bring good luck for his retail business below. -
Continue to the middle of Ouse Bridge, then look right, on the roof of the building opposite the Radisson Hotel.
Alfie says: “If you can’t find him, look near the tallest tree!” -
Retrace a few paces, then cross the road and head down the steps towards the river, along King’s Staith. Sticking to the river’s edge,
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continue to the junction of Friar’s Terrace and South Esplanade. Look to the upper floors of the houses facing the river.
Charlie says: “Can you see these kitties sunning themselves on the window ledges?” -
Retrace a few paces, then take the steps up to Peckitt Street, heading away from the river. Stop to admire Clifford’s Tower before turning left on Clifford Street. Pass the Grand Opera House then cross the road and head down Coppergate. Look to the right.
Alfie says: “If you need a clue, how much might an elephant weigh?” -
Go straight across the crossroads, onto Pavement. Look up to the right. There is another animal on the same building.
Charlie says: “This one is known as the ghost cat!” -
Cross over the road and down the cobbled street of Shambles. Halfway up on the left you’ll find the next cat
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Turn around and you’ll see another cat, which is a recent addition.
Alfie says: “This is York’s most famous street!” -
Walk back down Shambles and turn left through the stone arch and into the passageway – this will bring you out at Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate. Head left along Colliergate and keep an eye out for Cat 14 on the right.
Charlie says: “This is the only two-dimensional cat on the Hunt.” -
A very short distance along, look under the clock. Alfie says “This is a Tom Adams cat. Tom was a local architect with an office above Barnitts. He “signed” many buildings he worked on with a cat sculpture. Several of these beautiful sculptures were created by Jonathan Newdick ARBS. Jonathan accepts commissions and can be contacted via The Cat Gallery.”
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You are now standing in King’s Square. Scan the roof line above the pub.
Charlie says: “The plastic pigeon was put there by a plumber with a sense of humour!” -
Look out for St Andrewgate and head down there. On the left is an unusual house (No. ½). Look for cat 17 there.
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Alfie says: “Due to the house number, Tom Adams felt it could not have a full-size sculpture. So it’s a kitten!” Just next door, at house No.1, you will find another cat.
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Continue along St Andrewgate, turning left onto Bartle Garth. Look at the house immediately on the right.
Charlie says: “It’s a Suzie Marsh sculpture called Maxim Fishing.” -
Continue along Bartle Garth, past Bedern Hall. Head towards York Minster, following the road left onto Bedern, then turn left onto Goodramgate. Keep to the left, and just after the road forks you’ll see cat 20 on the right hand side.
Alfie says: “Here’s a clue – it’s not a meat eater!” -
Continue down Goodramgate to find a climbing cat called Hope, commissioned in 2020 by The Cat’s Whiskers Cat Café. Charlie says “It’s where to go for tea and cake with real cats. Book in advance if possible.”
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Retrace your steps to take the other fork (Deangate), passing York Glazier’s Trust to your left. Opposite the South entrance of York Minster, you will find a small road, Minster Gates. Go down there, then turn directly left onto Low Petergate and you’ll find yourself back where you started, at The Cat Gallery.
Alfie says: “Have a look in the window of The Cat Gallery. You’ll find Cat 22 clearly labelled.”
Fill in the quiz below, then tear it off and hand it in at The Cat Gallery. Kids will receive a Cat Hunt souvenir and adults providing a name and email address will be emailed a £5 voucher to spend online.
A purr-fect souvenir, inspired by York’s feline history Designed in York and Handmade in England A thoughtful gift that can be personalised Every purchase helps less fortunate cats Harness the power of positive thinking!
The Original Lucky Cat is a perfect souvenir of York. Designed by Peter Hanson, Cat Gallery and York Cat Hunt founder, this UK-made collector’s piece is debossed with the official “LCY” stamp. Every purchase helps the work of International Cat Care www.icatcare.org whose education and training programmes improve the lives of 25 million cats every year.
The Original Lucky Cat is available from:
Online: www.theluckycatshop.co.uk
(worldwide shipping)
In Person: The Cat Gallery
45 Low Petergate, York YO1 7HT
01904 631611
www.thecatgallery.co.uk
Orignal tour by K. Mulhearn, Complete Yorkshire © The Cat Gallery
If you have a little longer, why not visit cats 23-25 (shown on the map) or for a full and updated list visit CATSINYORK.COM
References
- Cats in York: celebrating York’s "black cats" and other decorative cats
- Quality Gifts for Cat Lovers and their Cats Since 2001 – The Cat Gallery
- York Lucky Cat Shop – The Lucky Cat Shop
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Read User Manual Online (PDF format) >>