Bootham Bar stands at the north end of High Petergate, the street that runs directly from here to York Minster. It is the oldest of the four surviving bars, built on the site of the Roman porta principalis dextra — the right-hand main gate of the legionary fortress of Eboracum. It is the only city gate in York that stands on its original Roman foundations, and excavations have confirmed Roman masonry in its lower courses. The medieval structure above was built and rebuilt between the 11th and 14th centuries, with later Victorian restoration work on the battlements.
The gatehouse contains a small exhibition about the history of the bar and the city walls. The bar faces the open space of Exhibition Square, where the York Art Gallery stands opposite, making it one of the more photogenic spots in the city. Just inside the gate, Dean's Park offers a quiet green space between the Minster and the walls, rarely as busy as the main tourist routes despite its central position.