A local charity has secured the right to access an iconic York landmark, and they will be letting the public in for one day in July.
York Unlocked has announced they are running tours inside one of York’s most recognisable landmarks – the Terry’s Factory Clock Tower. Located at the former Terry’s Chocolate Factory site on Bishopthorpe Road, York, this striking structure is a famous feature of the York skyline.
This iconic red brick and sandstone tower, affectionately known as the “kitchen clock” to generations of York residents, has stood watch over the city for decades. With its distinctive four clock faces spelling out “TERRY YORK” instead of numbers or Roman numerals, the Clock Tower remains a unique part of York’s heritage.
On Tuesday 29th July 2025 a limited number of visitors will have the chance to go behind the scenes and see the inner workings of the clock. Participants will travel up the tower by lift to see how the clock operates and discover the fascinating history of Terry’s – a truly rare opportunity to see behind the scenes of one of York’s most loved landmarks.
Tours will be for 30 minutes inside the tower, with only nine places available on each of the 5 tours. As demand is expected to be high, tickets will be allocated through a ballot system.
How to take part
To receive details of how to enter the ballot, you must sign up to the York Unlocked newsletter.
Subscribers will receive the ballot link in a newsletter email to register by the end of 15th July.
Newsletter sign up is via the link: yorkunlocked.m-pages.com/york-unlocked-newsletter-ballot Successful applicants will be contacted by email and invited to book up to three tickets. All York Unlocked tickets are FREE. Children and young adults are welcome to attend if accompanied by a responsible adult, and both hold valid tickets
If you miss out on this opportunity to visit the clock tower, there will be another chance: during the York Unlocked festival on 27th and 28th of September, Terry’s Clock Tower is one of over 50 venues across the city that will open their doors to the public for free.
