Barley Hall, York

Barley Hall is a unique survival in York, a city of wonderful buildings. It is a medieval building in the centre of the city, forgotten until a few years ago, concealed as it was under a jumble of run-down derelict offices and workshops. Excavation in the 1980s revealed that under this jumble was a surviving example of a medieval townhouse, originally the town house of the Priors of Nostell but later to be the townhouse of its best known inhabitant, Alderman William Snawsell, goldsmith and Mayor of York. It has now been restored to how it looked at the time of Alderman Snawsell, towards the end of the fifteenth century.

Additional info

Barley Hall is a reconstructed medieval townhouse and as such has some restrictions for those visitors with mobility and access difficulties. Although there is access to the ground floor, the Great Hall features a raised threshold at the doorway. The first floor, on which the Parlour, Gallery, and Chambers are located, is accessed via a staircase, which some guests may find a little steep. There is a second fairly steep staircase down to the buttery, pantry and classroom, although the classroom can be accessed externally. It is advisable that small children are looked after when using the staircases. Unfortunately there is no lift to the first floor. Unfortunately vehicles cannot park close to the Hall. The easiest access is from Swinegate/Grape Lane where you can park before 11am and after 4pm from Monday to Friday, before 10.30am and after 4.30pm on Saturday, and before 12pm and after 4pm on Sunday. We will be very pleased to discuss your access requirements at any time, please telephone us in advance of your visit on 01904 615505.