Barley Hall’s medieval weekend brings York’s past to life

If you’re looking for something family-friendly to do in York this bank holiday, Barley Hall is hosting a medieval weekend from Saturday 29 August to Monday 31 August 2026. The event runs from 10am to 5pm each day, with last admission at 4.30pm, and is included with entry to the hall.

Set just off Stonegate in Coffee Yard, Barley Hall is a restored medieval townhouse with plenty for visitors to explore before they even reach the event displays. The building is presented as it might have looked during the time of William Snawsell, a wealthy York goldsmith and former Lord Mayor who lived there in the fifteenth century. Inside, you can move through the Great Hall, parlour, pantry and buttery, while details such as the medieval floor and horn-covered window help show how the house would have worked in everyday life.

The weekend’s main focus is medieval warfare. Historical re-enactors from Three Swords will be at the hall with armour and weapons, explaining how fifteenth-century soldiers were equipped and demonstrating fighting techniques. Their sessions draw on period fight books and cover both armed and unarmed combat, with displays taking place in the courtyard and Great Hall. The programme also looks towards the Wars of the Roses and the ways York was involved in the conflicts of the period.

There is a gentler side to the weekend as well. Families can follow a trail around Barley Hall, join a guided tour and hear stories connected with York’s past. The activities are designed to sit alongside the usual visit rather than replace it, so there is time to explore the rooms at your own pace and then stop for a demonstration or talk. Children who enjoy dressing up, stories and hands-on history should find plenty to keep them occupied, while adults can take in the building’s restoration and the details of medieval domestic life.

Barley Hall is reached through the pedestrian passage from Stonegate, with another access point from Grape Lane, and it is a short walk from York Minster. The address is 2 Coffee Yard, Stonegate, York, YO1 8AR. As the event is running this weekend, it is worth checking the official Barley Hall website for the latest admission and opening information before setting off. For a few hours in the city centre, the weekend offers a straightforward way to combine a historic house visit with live demonstrations, family activities and a closer look at medieval York.