At first look, this is just an old, partly-cobbled road leading up a low hill out of town towards Micklegate Bar (and on towards the Knavesmire). Its name has its origins in Old Norse, meaning Great Street. The route into the city was largely rebuilt in Georgian times, as some of the grand houses along it still show.

During the day …

Micklegate a quiet enough road, with small shops such as the Spellman's second-hand books, the Oxfam Charity Bookshop and several restaurants and pubs (chip shop, snack bars, Indian, Italian), and it's the route out in the direction of the Bar Convent.

Tip If you're walking up this way, it may be an idea to call into Holy Trinity church and take in the free exhibition about the Benedictine Monks who used to call Micklegate home.

But after dark …

It's then the street undergoes a regular nocturnal transformation, when bars and nightclubs open up here and in the neighbouring streets.