Walmgate Bar was the main entry to the city from the south east. It has separate entrances for vehicles and for people on foot. It is the only town gate that still has its barbican intact, not only in York but in England. The barbican was built on to the gate to provide additional defence.

Walmgate Bar has several parts: the gateway in the wall, a gate house inside the walls and a stone barbican outside the walls.

The inner gateway was built in the 12th century Most of the present bar dates from the 14th century, however. The wooden gates are 15th century. The bar was severely damaged in the English Civil War in 1644, when the city was under siege by Oliver Cromwell's army. It was rebuilt four years later, using the stones from a local church which had also been destroyed. You can still see bullet holes from the siege in various parts of the gate and its north tower.