Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate

About

Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate is York’s shortest street and one of its most curiously named, stretching only a few dozen feet where Colliergate meets Pavement and Fossgate. First recorded in 1505 as “Whitnourwhatnourgate,” the name has long intrigued visitors and locals alike, with interpretations ranging from “neither one thing nor the other street” to the more playful “what a street!” Its unusual character is heightened by its proximity to the former St Crux Church, whose parish hall still backs onto it, and by its role as a tiny but lively link between some of York’s busiest thoroughfares. Over the centuries, the street has been widened, repaved, and reshaped, yet it retains its quirky charm and continues to spark curiosity. Today, Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate is celebrated less for its size than for its eccentric name and enduring place in York’s urban story, offering a reminder that even the smallest corners of the city can carry centuries of history and a touch of humour2.

York United Kingdom

Location

Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate is a very short, historic street located in the centre of York, connecting Colliergate to Pavement, Fossgate, and the Stonebow. It lies adjacent to St Saviourgate and backs onto the site of the former medieval St Crux Church, now represented by St Crux Parish Hall. The street is famed not only for its unusual name, which was first recorded in 1505 as "Whitnourwhatnourgate" and humorously means “neither-one-thing-nor-the-other street” or “what a street,” but also as a fine example of York’s narrow medieval streets. Nearby attractions include the Shambles, Stonebow, Fossgate, and the bustling Pavement shopping area, making it a charming and quirky part of York’s historic cityscape.