
The Snickleway Inn
47 Goodramgate, York YO1 7LS
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Review
The Snickleway Inn is a wonderful historic pub situated on Goodramgate, York’s only example of a 15th Century Galleried Inn. The oldest sections of the pub were constructed around 1500 with additions throughout the centuries. It was used by Royalists during the siege of York in 1644 as a gunpowder store as well as being a brothel for some time but it was in the 18th Century that it came into its own as a public house.
Previously known as the Painter's Arms, the Square & Compasses, Mason's Arms, The Board, Joiners Arms and then The Anglers Arms, the letters of which can be seen inside. It was in 1994 that the pub finally settled on The Snickleway Inn, taking this from a term coined by Mark W. Jones's 1983 book 'A Walk Around the Snickelways of York', a Snickelway being an amalgamation of Snicket (the North Yorkshire world for an Alley) and Alleyway. Although it's spelt slightly differently to avoid any copyright issues, the word is pretty ingrained in the local York vocabulary now.
The interior is dominated by beautiful dark wood panelling, low beams and open brick. The galleried ceiling adding extra height and airiness to the main space which hosts the corner bar and a pleasing selection of six well-kept cask ales, all of which are averagely priced. To the edges of the room are more cosy little nooks to relax in, along with a couple of open fires. Towards the back is another quaint room which leads out to the reasonably well kept toilets and a little walled yard area with some alfresco seating. The Snickleway Inn has a very inviting atmosphere despite its history as one of the most haunted pubs in York and with frequent live music there's usually something to keep you entertained, even if that is just people watching through the large windows out onto the hustle and bustle of Goodramgate. For a traditional Inn that's steeped in history and retains a lot of its olde worlde charm without being tired or gentrified The Snickleway is a perfect example and well worth a visit.