MARGARET Clitherow was canonised almost 400 years after her death. Born in 1556 she was married at the age of 15 to John Clitherow, a York butcher, whose shop was in the Shambles.

Margaret became a Catholic and she helped priests who were looking for shelter from persecution. Margaret was imprisoned many times herself.

In 1580, persecution was stepped up with fines for anyone not attending church and imprisonment for hearing Mass. Soon many priests were captured and taken to Knavesmire to be executed.

An act passed in parliament pronounced that giving shelter to priests would be punishable by death and Margaret was duly arrested and tried at the Guildhall. She refused to plead at her trial and would not renounce her faith. She was sentenced to death by a most painful way - by pressing with weights put upon her prostrate body. She was imprisoned on the Ouse Bridge and later taken to the Toll Booth nearby where she was laid down and weights put upon her, she died that day.

On this winter walk around York, we trace the footsteps of Margaret Clitherow and look at some of the fine buildings still standing today. The walk is only short and there are many attractions to tempt you as you walk along.

You will have noticed that there is not a map with this month's walk. I would prefer you to obtain a street map of York, which will be much more useful than any map I could draw for you! Street maps are sold in the book shops at around two to three pounds.

The Facts

Distance: Approximately three miles/4.8km.

Time: It depends how many times you stop!

Start/parking: York, St George's Field car par on the riverside near Skeldergate Bridge.

Map: Street map of York.

Refreshments: Lots along the way

Public toilets: Numerous

Guide book: Walking Around Scarborough, Whitby & Filey at £1.95 by J Brian Beadle has similar walks. Available from bookshops, cafes, Pickering railway station shop, Low Dalby Visitor Centre and tourist information centres.

Your Route

Leave the car park, cross the busy road with great care and walk straight ahead towards Cliffords Tower.

Pass the tower bearing right around it then left along Castlegate passing Fairfax House on the right. If you have time, Fairfax House is worth visiting.

Take the next turning to the left to walk through the Coppergate shopping centre and past the Yorvik Viking Centre. At the road, go right into Coppergate.

At the traffic lights, cross the road and keep straight ahead along Pavement. On the right is Jones's shoe shop, it is on the ground floor of a fine Tudor house. The house was built by a wealthy Elizabethan family, the Herberts. This grand house was a sign of wealth. Alongside the house is an archway leading to Lady Peckitt's Yard. Take a look inside for there is another fine house there which also belonged to the Herberts.

Cross the road at the Herberts' house and go right then left along the Shambles. The Shambles is an exciting street with its fine old houses, but in Margaret Clitherow's day it was a smelly street of butchers' shops and abattoirs. Blood ran down the gutters and offal littered the street, the stench was revolting.

Just along the street on the left-hand side is the house of Margaret Clitherow, now a shrine to her memory. If you would like more information on Margaret Clitherow visit the shrine and pick up a booklet, priced 75p.

At the end of the Shambles, walk diagonally left across Kings Square to Boots shop on the corner. Bear right around the corner into Goodramgate.

Along Goodramgate is Lady Row, reputed to be the oldest houses in York. You will see them on the left, painted white with tiny shops on the ground floor.

Cross the road at the end of the street, keeping the National Trust shop on your right and walk along to St William's College. This is a 15th century building which was built as a college for chantry priests. The front is now a cafe but take a look through the archway at the grand building behind with its courtyard.

Pass by the right of the Minster into Minster Yard, then keep straight ahead alongside the large black gates to the park. Pass the Treasurers House on the right, or visit if you wish, then go left to walk on a path across the park.

On the right, hidden by trees, is the Minster Library, the building is what remains of the chapel to the now-demolished 13th century archbishop's palace.

Leave the park, keeping straight ahead passing the Dean Court Hotel along Duncombe Place. At the traffic lights go straight ahead and soon turn right through the gates of the Museum Gardens. Note the well-preserved Roman Multangular Tower on the right, then where the paths fork bear right onto the highest path.

Pass the museum then bear left through the ruins of St Mary's Abbey. Just past the ruins turn right to exit onto the road. Go left now along Marygate which leads to the river bank and turn left onto the riverside path.

At Lendal Bridge, climb the steps to the top, cross the road and turn right. Once over the bridge, do a U-turn left then go right and eventually through a gap in the wall on the left to return to the riverside path.

Across the river, you can see the Guildhall where Margaret Clitherow was tried and behind the buildings a little further along in Coney Street is St Martin-le-Grand, the church where she was baptised.

You soon arrive at Ouse Bridge, go left, cross the road, then go right down the steps to the riverside path. It was at Ouse Bridge where Margaret Clitherow was imprisoned and put to death.

Enjoy a short walk alongside the river which will take you back to the car park.

Updated: 10:13 Thursday, January 03, 2002