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River Foss

Bridge Over the River Foss. © Stephen Horncastle - http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/

The River Foss is the smaller of the two rivers which meet in York.

Rising in the Howardian Hills and running one and a quarter miles through Haxby to meet the River Ouse at York, the River Foss has played an important role in the city’s history. In centuries past it provided fish for the markets as well as being a vital part of the city’s defences.

Castle Mills Lock on the River Foss has now been open for 12 months - allowing more boaters to explore the 'secret river' and step back in time to see traces of historic York, when the Foss was the main access route for goods into the city.

The name most likely comes from the Roman word Fossa, meaning ditch.