Discover

Welcome to the 'Discover' section! Here you will find insights into the fascinating studies undertaken by our StreetLife researchers.

StreetLife examined the history and heritage of Coney Street, also aiming to inform its present and future. From medieval guilds to the Second World War blitz, from early printing to modern musical heritage, we hope you find something interesting here. Our research may even jog a memory you have of Coney Street.

A StreetLife walking visit to the rear of 29-31 Coney Street.

A Healthy Heart to the City, Pt 2

Claire Smith

Our 'Sustainablity - a Healthy Heart to the City' workshop considered the opportunities for greenery and nature on the street. Find out what our participants discussed regarding environmental sustainability on Coney Street.

An extract from Whittock's bird's eye view of York from 1856.

A Healthy Heart to the City, Pt 1

Jennie England

In present day Coney Street, there isn’t a lot of greenery or even open spaces to be found. But looking at surviving historic maps, it is clear that the street—and people’s experience of it—will have been very different in the past.

24 Hours in the Life of Coney Street, Pt 2

Claire Smith

If you’re a York resident, you’ve probably walked down Coney Street... but do you experience Coney Street throughout the day? For our opening workshop, we wanted people to think from morning deliveries, to daytime shopping, and evening leisure.

Coney Street in the morning, shown lined with delivery vans and people walking to work..

24 Hours in the Life of Coney Street, Pt 1

Jennie England

In the first of our York Civic Trust workshops, we looked at the street over a 24 hours period in order to better understand the different uses and users the street has today, and how this might compare to the past.

A hand-written document in medieval script with a red wax seal.

New Discoveries from Medieval York

John Jenkins

Find out how the StreetLife York project has uncovered documents from over 800 years ago that shed light on Coney Street's medieval past.

A painted portrait of Sir William Mordaunt Milner, Mayor of York (1787 and 1798), who wears a long red cloak.

So You Want To Be An Eighteenth-Century Lord Mayor?

John Jenkins

Being the Lord Mayor of York in the 18th century had both its downsides and perks! See how 300-year-old documents have provided fascinating insight into this important ceremonial role.

A coloured illustration of early 16th century York by Ridsdale Tate, with the Augustinian Friary highlighted.

Lendal Friary and its Library

Stephen Lonsdale

Underneath the House of Trembling Madness on Lendal lies one of York’s great secrets - a medieval friary that had one of the most significant libraries in the country.

A brown stone memorial tablet in Hebrew and English is attached to a brick wall.

The Medieval Jewish Community on Coney Street

Stephen Lonsdale

Coney Street was home to some of the most important members of the city's medieval Jewish community. Find out more about this fascinating period of history.

A 9th century copper alloy coin, roughly circular with raised markings.

In the Time of Eoforwic and Jorvik

Stephen Lonsdale

Between the 5th and 11th centuries Coney Street developed from an abandoned Roman lane outside of the walls to one of York's most important centres of commerce, industry and housing.

An artist's impression of Roman York from an elevated view looking roughly east.

At the Gates of Eboracum: Roman Coney Street

Stephen Lonsdale

The area that is today Coney Street once lay just outside of the Roman town's walls. It was likely an active, bustling place - home to granaries, river wharfs, temples.