Medieval Weekend at Barley Hall

Barley Hall is hosting its Medieval Weekend from 29 to 31 August, a few days of bringing the sights, sounds and skills of the Middle Ages back to life in the city centre. The main draw is the fighting: experts will be working from authentic fechtbücher — the fight books of the period — to demonstrate both armed and unarmed techniques. If you've ever wondered how people actually fought back then, rather than how it looks in the movies, this is where you'll see it done properly.

There's more to it than the demonstrations, though. You can explore the hall, follow a family-friendly trail, and join a guided tour that tells stories from York's past. It's the kind of weekend that works as well for a solo wander as it does for taking the kids along.

And the venue itself is a good part of the experience. Barley Hall is a medieval townhouse that was rediscovered and restored in the 1980s, and it still keeps its high ceilings, exposed timber frames and a magnificent Great Hall. Over the centuries, its residents have included the Priors of Nostell and even a former Mayor of York, so the building has its own history to lean on.

While you're there, you can also see Beasts at Barley Hall, an exhibition that looks at the role of animals in medieval life. It runs from domestic pets and livestock through to lions, bears and even dragons, using artefacts found in and around York alongside hands-on activities for children, accessible interpretation boards and audio stories. The whole thing runs from 29 to 31 August at Barley Hall, 2 Coffee Yard, off Stonegate, YO1 8AR.