Doors 345 – Doors from the City of York, (Part VI), June 2024
This week I am sharing the penultimate set of doors in this series from the City of York. I was only there for one night, arriving late afternoon on one day, and in a meeting for the next before returning home to Bristol. All of these doors were photographed during a short window of time in the evening and early morning of the two days.
While I enjoy the ‘on tour’ days of my job, I only ever really get a superficial glimpse of the places I go to, but mark them up for potential fuller visits in my retirement. Photographing the doors offers me a tantalising taster, which I hope comes across in these Thursday Doors posts. I hope you enjoy this week’s selection:
St William’s College, College street, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024Panelled archway door to St William’s College, College street, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024
Built in 1465 beside York Minster, St William’s College originally housed the Minster’s chantry priests, who were paid to pray for the souls of benefactors, and was named after Archbishop William Fitzherbert. After centuries of changing uses, from private flats and a Civil War printing press to near-derelict slum housing, the Grade I listed medieval building was restored and today is used as a historic venue for events, dining, and public visits.
Shop door, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024The Snickleway Inn with its distinctive red door, Goodramgate, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024Blue door and protruding window, Goodramgate, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024Stunning brick house with cream door, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024Teal door and wonky door frame, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024
Next time will be the conclusion of doors from York, and I am getting rather excited about what to share then. I hope you have a lovely weekend.
If you have made it this far, you probably like doors, and you really ought to take a look at the No Facilities blog by Dan Anton who has taken over the hosting of Thursday Doors from Norm 2.0 blog. Links to more doorscursions can be found in the comments section of Dan Anton’s weekly Thursday Doors post and his Sunday recap.
Doors 344 – Doors from the City of York, (Part V), June 2024
I have only limited time to write this post as I was in London yesterday and have a busy day ahead today. York is a wonderful city, and popular with tourists too, and you can see why. It is full of winding, narrow streets and architecture from many periods. The Minster (featured last week) is the most famous building in the city, and it is complemented by so many interesting and beautiful houses and structures. This week’s doors are from the area near the Minster, I hope you like them.
Fabulous door and steps (and delivery), York, North Yorkshire, June 2024Door to Minster Library, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024Plaque next to the door of Minster Library, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024Door and slim windows, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024Gates and door to beautiful house, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024Black door and flat awning, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024St Michael le Belfrey church, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024Side door to St Michael le Belfrey church?, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024
I have a few more doors to share from York, before moving on to somewhere else – I am slowly working through my archives of doors, without adding to them at the moment, but I think I’ll have plenty of trips this spring and summer to top up my reserves. Until next time, have a great weekend etc.
If you have made it this far, you probably like doors, and you really ought to take a look at the No Facilities blog by Dan Anton who has taken over the hosting of Thursday Doors from Norm 2.0 blog. Links to more doorscursions can be found in the comments section of Dan Anton’s weekly Thursday Doors post and his Sunday recap.
Doors 343 – Doors from the City of York, York Minster, (Part IV), June 2024
This week I am concentrating on one building in York and its many external doors, the world-famous York Minster. I shall let the Interweb do some of the heavy lifting on a description of York Minster, in the interests of time efficiency and (likely) accuracy.
York Minster is one of the largest and most magnificent Gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe. Its origins date back to 627 AD, when a small wooden church was built on the site to baptize King Edwin of Northumbria. Over the centuries, this early structure was replaced by stone churches, including a Norman cathedral erected after the Norman Conquest. Following a devastating fire in 1220, the current Gothic minster began to take shape, with construction continuing for over 250 years until its completion in 1472.
Architecturally, York Minster is a masterpiece of medieval English Gothic design, showcasing Early English, Decorated, and Perpendicular styles. Its vast nave, intricate stone vaulting, and soaring pointed arches create a powerful sense of verticality and light. The cathedral is renowned for its extraordinary stained glass, including the Great East Window—one of the largest expanses of medieval stained glass in the world—and the famous Rose Window in the south transept.
The building’s central tower rises above the city of York, serving as a dominant landmark and symbol of ecclesiastical authority. Inside, finely carved choir stalls, detailed tracery, and an impressive chapter house with its octagonal design highlight the craftsmanship of medieval masons. Together, its layered history and architectural grandeur make York Minster not only a place of worship but also a monument to centuries of religious, political, and artistic development in England.
When I visited York, I didn’t have time to go inside the Minster, instead I walked around the outside snapping away. The building is large, and with the proximity of surrounding shops and houses it was difficult to take pictures without using the wide-angle lens, leaving some of the photographs looking a little distorted. I hope you enjoy these pictures of one of the great buildings of England.
View of York Minster from the city wall, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024West front of York Minster with three entrances, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024West front of York Minster with three entrances, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024Left-hand door and entrance on the west front of York Minster, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024Central doors on the west front of York Minster, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024Right-hand door on the west front of York Minster, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024South side and transept of York Minster, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024Doors to the diocesan registry and chapter clerk’s office, York Minster, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024The north elevation of York Minster, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024The north elevation of York Minster, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024Small door in the north elevation of York Minster, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024Hidden door on the north elevation of York Minster, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024
It is a pity that the skies were a little overcast during my visit, but I don’t think that it diminishes the impressiveness of the building at all. When I visit again, I must make time to go inside. Next time, some more doors from the streets of York, until then, have a great weekend.
If you have made it this far, you probably like doors, and you really ought to take a look at the No Facilities blog by Dan Anton who has taken over the hosting of Thursday Doors from Norm 2.0 blog. Links to more doorscursions can be found in the comments section of Dan Anton’s weekly Thursday Doors post and his Sunday recap.
Dirtygypo, St Werburghs, Bristol, December 2025Dirtygypo, Brunel Way, Bristol, October 2025Dirtygypo and Posh, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, July 2025Dirtygypo, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2025Dirtygypo, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2025Dirtygypo, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, March 2025Dirtygypo, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, March 2025Dirtygypo, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2025Dirtygypo, St Werburghs, Bristol, August 2024Dirtygypo, Cumberland Bain, Bristol, July 2024Dirtygypo, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2024Dirtygypo, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, July 2024
Doors 342 – Doors from the City of York (Part III), June 2024
The doors this week continue on my journey from my hotel to the office, which takes me close to York Minster (more on that next week). It is all a while ago now, and I forget exactly where I was when I took the pictures. I hope you enjoy them:
City gate and gatehouse, Your, North Yorkshire, June 2024Green door and porch, Your, North Yorkshire, June 2024Blue door and steps, Your, North Yorkshire, June 2024Black door, steps and awning, Your, North Yorkshire, June 2024Splendid blue door and lamp, Your, North Yorkshire, June 2024Green door and shutters, Your, North Yorkshire, June 2024Stone doorway and studded wooden door, Your, North Yorkshire, June 2024Large gateway and studded doors, Your, North Yorkshire, June 2024Gateway with crests, Your, North Yorkshire, June 2024
Certainly the City of York has some stunning historic doors, many of which are rather classy. Next time I’ll share some doors from York Minster. Until then, I bid you farewell.
If you have made it this far, you probably like doors, and you really ought to take a look at the No Facilities blog by Dan Anton who has taken over the hosting of Thursday Doors from Norm 2.0 blog. Links to more doorscursions can be found in the comments section of Dan Anton’s weekly Thursday Doors post and his Sunday recap.
Doors 341 – Doors from the City of York (Part II), June 2024
Having spent a week away on a glorious holiday, I am now paying the price, with an avalanche of emails and backlog of work projects and requests keeping me very busy indeed. This afternoon I head off to Cornwall to run a workshop on Friday, leaving me little time to work and prepare blog posts, so I wrote this one last night.
Back to some doors from the City of York, which is a truly incredible place if ever you get the chance to visit, but I would advise going during the spring or autumn, because it can get very crowded indeed in peak tourist season.
This set of doors were photographed during a random walk between the hotel I was staying at and the government office where I was having a team meeting. I hope you enjoy them.
An interesting blend of architecture in the 17th century Red House, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024Steps and door of the Red House, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024Three adjacent doors, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024Large timber framed shop and doors, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024Pink shop door, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024Old green door, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024Bootham Bar gateway, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024Door and plaque marking the site of the Roman North West Gate, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024
More from York next time, may I wish you a happy weekend from a very damp Bristol.
If you have made it this far, you probably like doors, and you really ought to take a look at the No Facilities blog by Dan Anton who has taken over the hosting of Thursday Doors from Norm 2.0 blog. Links to more doorscursions can be found in the comments section of Dan Anton’s weekly Thursday Doors post and his Sunday recap.
I am feeling a little decadent, because I am writing this post in a warm bath, soaking my tired muscles after a long skiing day (yesterday). I mentioned last week that I was going to be away this week, and will be repurposing some street art doors which were originally posted as street art/graffiti posts on Natural Adventures in May-July 2024. I hope you enjoy them.
Farrah, Elton Road, Bristol, July 2024Inkie, Upfest 2024, Gathorne Road, Bristol, May 2024Does, Leicester, May 2024Alex Lucas, Cheltenham Paint Festival, Cheltenham, July 2023Hazard, Upfest 2024, North Street, Bristol, May 2024Rob Lee, Upfest 2024, West Street, Bristol, July 2024Epod, Upfest 2024, Pantiles, Bristol, May 2024Andrew Burns Colwill, Cheltenham Road, Bristol, July 2024Andrew Burns Colwill, Cheltenham Road, Bristol, July 2024
I have taken a few liberties and a loose definition of doors in this post, but I hope you enjoy them anyway. Next time, when I am back in Old Blighty, I’ll resume the doors of York series. Until then byeee, and have a superb weekend.
If you have made it this far, you probably like doors, and you really ought to take a look at the No Facilities blog by Dan Anton who has taken over the hosting of Thursday Doors from Norm 2.0 blog. Links to more doorscursions can be found in the comments section of Dan Anton’s weekly Thursday Doors post and his Sunday recap.
Doors 339 – Doors from the City of York (Part I), June 2024
Back to doors of England photographed during my travels around the country with work. This series of doors from York were photographed in June 2024, during a work trip for a team meeting. At the time our team members were distributed around the country in Otley, Manchester, Bristol, Leeds and Nottingham, so going to the York office seemed reasonable for those from the North. For me, of course, this was quite a schlep from Bristol, but one I was happy to make.
As is customary for me staying in faraway towns and cities, I went up the night before, and made the most of my evening, and early morning, to explore the city, which, although I had visited once before, a year earlier, for a large conference in Harrogate, and posted here in TD 225, 226 and 227.
This selection is reasonably random, but demonstrate the incredible spectrum of door styles and periods. I hope you enjoy them.
Wide black door and blue door, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024Wide black door, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024White door of a brick and timber framed house, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024Pink gates and archway, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024Two adjacent black doors each with very different surrounding styling, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024Columned portico entrance and black door, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024Stunning brick entrance and solid wooden doors of Grays Solicitors, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024Modern pair of church doors and entrance, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024
More to come from this trip to York. Next week I am away on holiday, so it is far from certain that I will be posting a Thursday Doors, but I will try. Have a great weekend.
If you have made it this far, you probably like doors, and you really ought to take a look at the No Facilities blog by Dan Anton who has taken over the hosting of Thursday Doors from Norm 2.0 blog. Links to more doorscursions can be found in the comments section of Dan Anton’s weekly Thursday Doors post and his Sunday recap.
Foksymoron, Brunel Way, Bristol, December 2025Foksymoron, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, July 2025Foksymoron, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2025Foksymoron, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, March 2025Foksymoron, River Avon, Bristol, February 2025Foksymoron, Brunel Way, Bristol, July 2024Foksymoron, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2024Foksymoron, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, August 2024Foksymoron, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, August 2024Foksymoron, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2024Foksymoron (Nebeldac), Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2021Foksymoron (Nebeldac), Cumberland Basin, Bristol, April 2021
Doors 337 – Doors of Marrakesh, Madrassa Ben Youssef, Morocco, January 2025 (Part XVII)
Happy New Year, one and all. I took an unexpected break from Thursday Doors this Christmas break. I had intended to post doors throughout, and do a review of my best doors of 2025, but I just didn’t have much time, and decided not to stress about it. Today, I return with a penultimate selection of doors from Marrakesh (a holiday from exactly a year ago), and the stunning Madrassa Ben Youssef.
Here is a brief description of the Madrassa, that I stripped from the Interweb:
The Madrassa Ben Youssef in Marrakesh is one of the finest surviving examples of Islamic architecture in Morocco and a masterpiece of the Saadian period. Founded in the 14th century and extensively rebuilt in the mid-16th century under Sultan Abdallah al-Ghalib, it functioned as an Islamic college attached to the nearby Ben Youssef Mosque. Designed to house hundreds of students, the building reflects the importance of learning in Moroccan urban life while showcasing a highly refined architectural language intended to inspire contemplation and discipline.
Architecturally, the madrassa is organized around a large rectangular courtyard with a shallow reflecting pool at its centre, creating a sense of symmetry and calm. The walls are richly decorated with zellij tilework, carved stucco, and finely worked cedar wood, arranged in horizontal bands that rise in complexity from geometric tiles at ground level to floral and calligraphic stucco above. Qur’anic inscriptions and poetic texts are integrated seamlessly into the decoration, emphasizing the unity of art, faith, and scholarship. The craftsmanship is exceptionally precise, with repeating patterns that demonstrate both mathematical sophistication and aesthetic restraint.
Surrounding the courtyard are two levels of small student cells, their plainness contrasting deliberately with the ornate central space. This contrast reinforces the architectural hierarchy of the building, where communal and spiritual spaces receive the greatest ornamentation. Light is carefully controlled, filtering into the courtyard and prayer hall to animate surfaces and textures throughout the day. Together, these elements make the Madrassa Ben Youssef not only a place of learning, but a carefully choreographed architectural experience that embodies the ideals of Islamic art and Moroccan craftsmanship.
It is a destination I would highly recommend for anyone thinking of visiting Marrakesh. There were plenty of doors and interesting architectural features to capture – I hope you enjoy this week’s selection:
Evacuation plan, giving a picture of the vast number of rooms/cells in the building, Madrassa Ben Youssef, Marrakesh, Morocco, January 2025Central courtyard and pool, Madrassa Ben Youssef, Marrakesh, Morocco, January 2025Door, tiles and plaster work, Madrassa Ben Youssef, Marrakesh, Morocco, January 2025Door, tiles and plaster work, Madrassa Ben Youssef, Marrakesh, Morocco, January 2025Shadow cast on one of the entrances to the courtyard, Madrassa Ben Youssef, Marrakesh, Morocco, January 2025Doorway and wooden screen on one of the entrances to the courtyard, Madrassa Ben Youssef, Marrakesh, Morocco, January 2025Recess and plasterwork in the prayer hall, Madrassa Ben Youssef, Marrakesh, Morocco, January 2025Door from one of the dormitory rooms to the landing, Madrassa Ben Youssef, Marrakesh, Morocco, January 2025Door and small courtyard area, Madrassa Ben Youssef, Marrakesh, Morocco, January 2025Small dormitory/cell window and doorway to sleeping quarters, Madrassa Ben Youssef, Marrakesh, Morocco, January 2025Door to dormitory, Madrassa Ben Youssef, Marrakesh, Morocco, January 2025View of the central courtyard from a dormitory/cell, Madrassa Ben Youssef, Marrakesh, Morocco, January 2025Decorative wooden ceiling, Madrassa Ben Youssef, Marrakesh, Morocco, January 2025Doorways to sleeping area in a dormitory, Madrassa Ben Youssef, Marrakesh, Morocco, January 2025Doors in a hallway, Madrassa Ben Youssef, Marrakesh, Morocco, January 2025Doors in a hallway and small courtyard, Madrassa Ben Youssef, Marrakesh, Morocco, January 2025Small door to the main courtyard, Madrassa Ben Youssef, Marrakesh, Morocco, January 2025Door, tiles and plasterwork, Madrassa Ben Youssef, Marrakesh, Morocco, January 2025
The Madrassa Ben Youssef is a truly magnificent place and one can imagine the bustle of hundreds of young boys in their dormitories and the calm contemplative learning space of the central courtyard. The building is in great repair and a real treat.
If you have made it this far, you probably like doors, and you really ought to take a look at the No Facilities blog by Dan Anton who has taken over the hosting of Thursday Doors from Norm 2.0 blog. Links to more doorscursions can be found in the comments section of Dan Anton’s weekly Thursday Doors post and his Sunday recap.
Natural adventures 