My wife and I visited Barley Hall in September 2024. It was an afterthought, having bought tickets…read moreto the Jorvik Viking museum, this was a small additional fee. But it was worth it. Not a long visit, probably an hour or so. There are several rooms to explore, each with laminated info cards to pick up and read the history and purpose. Interactive games for kids learning too. Along with the Jorvik museum, this gave us a really good insight to medieval life in York. It makes sense to get the package, even though we did not have time to visit the other 2 attractions in the package. Finding the Hall was an adventure in itself, tucked away down a narrow lane, under an archway into a courtyard. We were there on a weekday, at the end of the day, and it was not busy. We were able to take our time and enjoy the exhibit.

Coffee Yard is a snickelway that runs between Stonegate -- a very fashionable address in the later…read moremiddle ages a site tucked away in one of its back alleys--Barley Hall, a fifteenth-century townhouse in Coffee Yard. A house occupied by one of Richard III's urban supporters. One of the emerging middle class that gave such strong allegiance to the Yorkists. Barley Hall is a stunning medieval townhouse, once home to the Priors of Nostell and the Mayor of York. Until the 1980s the house was hidden under the relatively modern façade of a derelict office block. Only when the building was going to be destroyed was the amazing medieval building discovered and its history uncovered. Barley Hall's medieval origins had been long forgotten by 1980, when it appeared to be a jumble of brick structures. Ironically, millions of tourists had literally walked right through what was originally an internal corridor of the L-shaped house as they used the Coffee Yard snickelway (an alley-like passageway from one street to another) to travel from busy Stonegate to Swinegate and Grape Lane. I am not sure but I think I stood in a coutyard, that I ten realised wasn't, that may have been a part of this. It was a roofless room and I was looking at interior walls. The building has now been lovingly restored to its original splendour with stunning high ceilings, beautiful exposed timber frames, and possibly the only horn window in England. It has been decorated to replicate what it would have looked like as the Snawsell home around 1483 and boasts a magnificent Great Hall. It is a hands-on living museum, letting visitors experience life in a 15th century house in the centre of York. This is one historic attraction where you are encouraged to touch and pick up exhibits. Sit on the chairs, open chests, and generally explore the house as you choose,and experience what it would have been like to live in Medieval England.. They also have many events. In July and August medieval summer schools for children and coming up: Thu 27 - Sun 30 Nov 2008 St Nicholas Fayre Medieval Market Wed 3 - Sat 6 Dec 2008 Deck the Hall A Medieval Christmas Thu 4 Dec 2008 Barley Hall by Candlelight Sat 6, Sun 7 Dec 2008 Barley Hall Christmas Fayre Wed 10 - Sat 13 Dec 2008 Deck the Hall A Medieval Christmas Thu 11 Dec 2008 Barley Hall by Candlelight Sat 13, Sun 14 Dec 2008 Barley Hall Christmas Fayre Wed 17 - Sat 20 Dec 2008 Deck the Hall A Medieval Christmas You can follow costumed guides as they escort groups through the hall, or hire an audio tape tour. On summer weekends there are special period events, such as mystery plays and medieval markets. Great place to visit.

Fabulous! Don't miss this. You get a sense of how life was like for the Vikings and you get to see…read moresome cool relics. The staff are all wonderful and knowledgeable. York has such cool history all around so make sure you learn about the Vikings too!

Wow, was this fascinating. (Being of Scandinavian heritage myself). I learned an awful lot…read more Rather than build a boring museum of static supplies, the crafty people of this enterprise (which is build upon the very site where 40,000 artifacts were uncovered), created an adult version of "it's a small world" (without the annoying music). Tram cars for six ride thru the Viking ages with animatronic characters portraying village life. The experience starts in a room with a glass floor showing the actual dig below. Of course there is a gift shop! Be sure not to miss.

I can't believe I've never reviewed this amazing gothic cathedral. During my first ever visit to…read moreYork, I took a tour which was fascinating. I highly suggest a tour for first-time visitors. Now, I enjoy going by for a walk when I'm back visiting. The cathedral is so big and beautiful. The stained glass is just incredible. This is the type of architecture that adds to the medieval atmosphere that is still prominent in York today. Fun fact: it took over 250 years to build it!

My wife visited York Minster to pray and light a candle for her deceased mother and the anniversary…read moreof the outbreak of World War 1, which she has done on many previous occasions when we visit York. She suffers from severe mental and physical disabilities and quiet prayer and reflection brings her comfort. On previous occasions we were directed to a quiet side chapel. On this occasion she was told to sit in an area cordoned off with red rope right near the entrance. It was an exposed, noisy area with a constant flow of visitors passing on both sides. No was no one praying in this area. My wife politely asked a member of staff if there was a quieter more appropriate area where she could pray and the member of staff said he would fetch someone. Eventually a young girl with straight blonde hair appeared wearing an apron and yellow marigold gloves. This young woman failed to introduce herself and was very aggressive in her tone and body language. This woman told my wife "this is the only area available to pray and you do this or leave!". My wife started to become stressed, said that she couldn't pray there and asked "Am I in church?" This woman raised her voice, was waving her arms covered in the long yellow gloves and repeatedly told my wife "this is the only area available to pray and you do this or leave!" and tried to justify this by saying that "we make things to look nice". Faced with this verbal tirade my wife became extremely upset, covered her ears and burst into tears and told this woman she was unwell. She left the Minster in a very distressed state. My wife emailed a complaint to York Minister but received a response from the Head of Audience Operations claiming that she had carried out a full investigation and stated that she "found no evidence of aggression, hostility or disrespect on her part, and I am satisfied that she sought to handle the situation calmly and professionally." Based on what evidence because she didn't speak to my wife and presumably this full investigation soley entailed talking to this unprofessional young woman? We have never experienced such shocking treatment before, especially in a place of worship. Clearly York Minister is just a money making machine and not a safe place of worship or comfort. The fact that staff with such a poor and unsensitive manner are employed in a church is unbelievable.

One of the largest if not largest railway museums in the world. Focuses on trains in Britain…read more(although they do have a Japanese bullet train you can sit in and watch a video) The trains are in two main buildings - one is a former train station. It's a little bit of a walk from the main part of York - especially since they are doing work on a new addition to the museum. Free - donations recommended!

It is a very cool place and a must visit place in York UK So…read moremuch rail history and so many things to do . You can sit in a bullet train see various old and new engine models and what not If you are into train this is the place . They also have a sit down restaurant and a VR experience

We stayed nearby on a work trip, and I brought the kids here. It was a nice, little museum with a…read moresizeable gift shop. The things on display were fun and interactive. The place smelled old, so that was cool. This place is a little gem, especially for tourists! The staff was nice and accomodating.

Keeping on with the iconic buildings of Leeds theme that I've got going on, I suddenly realised I'd…read morenot penned (or typed) my thoughts for this fabulous building. Certainly, it's not necessarily a cutting edge piece of architecture, but its structure is actually one of my favourites in Leeds. The huge steps out the front are a great spot to eat you sandwiches, and guaranteed much freer and more picturesque to pause at than the Parkinson steps, and with so many places near by to grab refreshment the location is certainly a handy one. Whilst I've only been around the inner workings a few times it's always been a fun browse. They have a few rotating/changing displays - one of which I remember featuring this 'crazy scientist' type character and all in all it offers a good deal of info-tainment for the kids, as it were. Their other staples, as mentioned in previous reviews, also offer a good afternoon's browsing and is certainly worthwhile whether you're a resident or a visitor. They're not adverse to other events being held in the space either, indeed an opening night to an Irish festival, celebrating the Irish cultural heritage in Leeds, was held in the main room which was fantastic too. If you've not been, you've overlooked another gem of the city!

Apparently Englands oldest tourist attraction with folk paying from the 1750s to visit the cave…read morewhere tje prophetess waa born and the petrifying cave where objects are turned to stone. Theres a lovely walk along the river. To be honest the entry fee is a bit steep.

Great outdoor walk. Very serine and a bit creepy. Not the witch but all the bunny stuff. Kind of…read moreBlair witch. Pictures attached. The bunnies and statues were out of a bad Alice in wonderland nightmare. The shiptons cave witch was your typical witch with the hunch back and mole on her nose... so passé. We went on a slightly rainy weekday. We were one of the only ones there. The waterfall with petrified articles from everyday life reminded me of a serial killers back yard. Highly recommend.

A truly amazing museum. Lots of exhibits, demonstrations, and re-enactments for all ages. The…read moreartifacts displayed go from primitive times to modern day. The gift shop stocks tons of books, toys, and of course, tee/ sweatshirts. We are museum nerds so we needed two days to explore the Royal Armouries. Most people can probably do it in one. It's a don't miss when in Leeds.

This is a huge exhibit so be prepared to have information overload, and maybe sore feet! The way…read morethey present the Armouries from all over the world is incredible! Pieces of art work in themselves! The collection is beyond extensive and beautifully displayed. I highly recommend attending the daily scheduled talks, they are engaging and informative, with a chance to ask questions and handle relevant items. During the weekday is less busy with general public, but can get busy and a bit loud with school visits, but we actually took advantage of this and listened to the teachers giving talks to the children! This is a free exhibition that does welcome donations. There is plenty of bathroom facilities, lifts as well as stairs for moving throughout the floors. Also, there Is a cafe on the ground floor. They do like you to book in advanced even though it's free, that way they have an idea of numbers.

For the tourist value and the hospitality a place to visit. But nothing really to write home about…read more Just typical pub with a lot of history. Not bad, but nothing exciting.

Fantastic fish and chips- crispy batter and meaty well cooked chips. The mushy peas had a nice…read moretexture as well. We also order the steak and ale pie- so rich and full of flavor. We loved the biscuit like crust, combined with the depth of the beef sauce. Nice stop mid day, for a couple of weary travelers.