Retaining Wall And Steps On North East Side Of South Esplanade

The retaining wall and steps on the north-east side of South Esplanade in York are part of the south-west boundary wall of the former Franciscan Friary. This wall now serves as a retaining structure and includes steps and railings at the rear of the Magistrates' Court, No. 16 Clifford Street, and leads to Peckitt Street. It also forms part of the boundary walls for No. 8 Peckitt Street, Nos 1-3 Friar's Terrace, Nos 1-5 South Esplanade, and No. 8 Tower Place. The wall extends approximately 150 metres from the south-east corner of Lower Friargate to No. 9 Tower Place, which was formerly known as Davy Tower.

Constructed in the late 13th century and later, the wall is made of magnesian limestone, with sections raised in brick of various ages, and features stone copings that are sloped, milled, or cambered in places. It stands about 3 metres high on a chamfered plinth and is stepped over a blocked opening at the Friargate end. The base of the wall is battered between Friargate and Peckitt Street and is supported by seven battered buttresses.

At the south-east corner of Lower Friargate, there is a square-section stone pier topped with a moulded cornice and a cross-pedimented cap. At the foot of Peckitt Street, a brick pier features a pyramidal cap. The wall has various openings, including a round-arched chamfered doorway beneath No. 4 South Esplanade, an iron gate to No. 1 South Esplanade, and a chamfered 2-centred door arch to No. 8 Tower Place.

At the rear of the Magistrates' Court, a flight of steps leads to a gate with diagonally set square-section railings that have crocket finials and octagonal gate posts. The railings at the foot of Peckitt Street are square-section with a flat handrail, which is scrolled at the bottom on a turned standard.