Admission to the attraction was provided by Visit York. All reviews by Travelling History are voluntary and of honest opinion.
The English city of York is known for its well preserved historical attractions. From Roman bath houses, to Viking artifacts, to the famous 7th century cathedral the city really has it all. York also has a fascinating medieval history with a number of medieval attractions that have been well-preserved. If you’re interested in experiencing medieval life in York first-hand, then I highly recommend a visit to Barley Hall.
The History of Barley Hall, York
Barley Hall is a medieval house that remained hidden for a number of years during the city’s recent history. The earliest parts of Barley Hall date back to the 14th century and while it had been known that there was once a medieval structure on site, it wasn’t until the building was being renovated in the 1980s that the extent of the medieval home was revealed.
Excavations carried out by the York Archaeological Trust showed that the oldest part of the house was built with timber that date back to 1360, with the Hall dating back to somewhere between the 15th and 16th centuries. As a result of the exciting excavation work completed, the York Archaeological Trust purchased the property in 1987 and has since restored it. What’s also fascinating about the restoration is that various medieval techniques were used to give Barley House an authentic look.
Who Lived in Barley Hall?
Barley Hall was originally built for the Priors of Nostell in the 14th century. The house was built for the senior church officials at York Minster, as they were required to attend both services and business in the city. By the 15th century, the building was leased out to private tenants and was inhabited for 20 years by a rather famous citizen, Master William Snawsell, Mayor of York.
Over the next 500 years the ownership of the building continued to change hands, with the configuration of the building changing as well. In the Victorian times, the building was believed to house trade workshops and it had been a plumber’s workshop before the redevelopment and excavations began in the 1980s. Today, the building is still owned by the York Archaeological Trust and open for visitors to explore.
Visiting Barley Hall Today
As with many attractions in York, Barley Hall is an interactive museum. The high quality restoration job completed by the York Architectural Trust allows visitors to experience what life would have been like during the Middle Ages in York. The house is decorated as if its medieval residents were still living inside, for example allowing visitors to wander through the Hall and seeing how it would be set up for a medieval feast.
Barley Hall often also has special events and exhibitions on, so I would highly recommend checking out the Barley Hall website before you visit. During my visit in 2016 I was lucky to see the “Wolf Hall Comes to Barley Hall” exhibition which showcased the costumes from the hit show. There’s usually an interesting exhibition on and I can’t wait to return to Barley Hall for another visit!
Key Information for Visiting Barley Hall in York
How much does it cost to visit Barley Hall?
A ticket to Barley Hall costs about £7.50 for an adult or £4.50 for a child. You can also book a family ticket for around £21.00. Barley Hall is also an included attraction in the York Pass, which I would highly recommend if you’re looking to visit multiple attractions in the city. The Visit York Pass can be purchased as a 1, 2, 3 or 6 day ticket and gives you entry to various attractions.
Is Barley Hall suitable for all ages?
Yes! One of the great things about Barley Hall is that it is an interactive museum, which makes it enjoyable for both children and adults.
What is the best way to get there?
Barley Hall is located in the York city centre, which makes it easy to walk to from many locations. If you’re travelling from further afield, Barley Hall is about a 15-minute walk or a 7-minute drive from York railway station.
What is the best time of year to visit Barley Hall?
Any time of the year is great for a visit, but I particularly enjoy going around the holiday season. Barley Hall often has festive activities going on and I love seeing it dressed up for the holidays!
What other historical things are there to do in York, England?
York is one of my favourite English cities because there are a number of historical things to do. If you’d like to continue exploring medieval York, you can visit the Merchant City Adventurers’ Hall or have a drink in a medieval alehouse. If you’re looking to explore even earlier time periods you can get an insight into Roman life at the York Roman Bath Museum, or experience life as a viking at the Jorvik Viking Centre. Of course, you’ll also want to stop at the stunning York Minster Cathedral. Visit here for a list of recommendations for 10 Historical Things to do in York, England.
This article’s information was last updated in August 2022.