OUR HISTORY
We originally opened in 2001, as Melton’s Too. The Hjort family has owned businesses in York since 1990 when they opened the fine dining restaurant, Melton’s, on Scarcroft Road. In 2014, the business was renamed Walmgate Ale House. The family are passionate about using and promoting local produce. Following this passion, Walmgate Ale House is also the HQ for the York Food and Drink Festival of which Michael is Director. In 2018, we were keen to go back to our roots and develop a separate identity for the restaurant so the Chopping Block was born!
WALMGATE ALE HOUSE
Our rustic bar area is a cosy and comfy place for you to enjoy a drink (or two!). We have up to six real ales on tap each day all from local breweries. Our real ales are sourced through local, Yorkshire breweries and change regularly. These breweries include: Brew York, Rudgate Brewery, Ainsty Ales, and Great Newsome. Alongside this, we have local cider, lagers, fine wines & a wide selection of spirits.
We also have a large range of homemade Bar Snacks, such as Dirty Fries, Yorkshire Puddings filled with Pulled Beef or Chilli Beans, or our Creamy Garlic Mushrooms with Homemade Bread. Something for everyone!
The Ale House is perfect for parties, such as Birthdays, Christenings or Retirements. Our Games Room & rear Bar area can accommodate up to 35 people comfortably, whether just enjoying drinks, competing on our bar billiards table, or settling in with a bespoke Bar Snack Buffet, we can cater to your needs.
History of OUR BUILDING
The Chopping Block and Walmgate Ale House are housed in a 17th century listed building on Walmgate.
Before the Hjort family took over the building, it was owned by Ellerker’s. From 1795 Ellerker’s sold saddles, harnesses and rope. Famously, Ellerker’s was commissioned to make the hangman’s nooses for York Prison (now York Castle Museum) which cordoned the phrase “For me there is no hope – was Ellerker’s made this rope.” We have kept the horses head figure at the front of the building from the Ellerker’s days as a symbol of pride in the building’s heritage. The interior of the Bar and Restaurant also reflects the history of the building and includes ropes, saddles and old photographs from the days of Ellerker’s.
Cat Trail & OUR RESIDENT GHOST
On the outside of the building, you will see a Cat. Our cat is one of around 22 cat statues across the city of York. Many of these cats were made by architect Toms Adams, who used the cats to mark his work. You can find the Cat Trail here.
When Ellerker’s was ran by Paul Schofield, in the 1970s, a number of staff claimed to have seen a Ghost in the Loft who moved objects, with great clashes, with one major sighting having been one night when closing the store-room, now the Loft, to see a Ghost hanging from the cross-beam, which was only the first sighting of an apparition similar to this.
This figure has been linked to the Ellerker’s famous tie with York Prison, where our Ghost is said to have been hanged for a series of murders. He denied his crimes until his very end, threatening to haunt his wrongful accusers, where he was given the common answer of being told if the rope breaks, he is innocent, if the rope holds, he is guilty. The Ellerker’s made excellent ropes, and the rope stayed intact.