The Fabulous & Original York Cat Trail

About the Cats of York

Cats have played a part in York’s history and luck has been linked with them since records began. Cats always land on their feet and having nine lives is a piece of luck that we can all relate to.

Here we celebrate the York Cat story. Statues of cats have been placed on buildings in York for around two Centuries, although statues since removed or rotted are thought to date from medieval times. Click right to download the full trail and the full history.

The original cat statues were placed on buildings to frighten away rats and mice which can carry plague and illness. They were also thought to ward off wandering evil spirits and generally to bestow good luck and good health on citizens who needed feline friends to ensure a good night’s sleep in old and temptingly chewy timber framed buildings!