Greestone Stairs

I love this place. Steps lit by old fashioned lamps and a gate into the Cathedral precincts. I have taken photos of it in all seasons and will paint it one day.
It is the easy way up to the cathedral and Castle as opposed to Steep Hill. It even has a bench to sit on half way up.


The greestone Stairs are so-called from the old english `greesen` or steps. The stairs were an important walkway from the 12th century,linking the medieval suburbs of Butwerk at the foot and Eastgate at the top. Both had grown up to the East of the old city walls.


In the 1600`s, many of the cathedral cleaners lived in the cottages on Greestone Terrace,just off the stairs.In the later centuries,when this became a more exclusive area,one of the houses took the name `Grecian House` mistaking `greestone` for something of a more classical flavour.


During an uprising over the Cathedral Spires imminent removal, in the 1720's, the rioters knocked on this gate and the keeper stuck his head out. They knocked him out and went in but the Bishop gave them ale and calmed them down.


For my guide it has a few ghosts:


A phantom, rolling head is reported to bounce down this steep area, bowling over anyone not quick enough to move out of the way! The area has also had reports of phantom monks and a ghostly woman holding a baby.

Haha this is so much easier than the steep hill so it is a must! A lot easier and faster!