Barley Hall
Barley Hall is a restored medieval townhouse where pupils can explore life in the Middle Ages.
Step into the past at Barley Hall
A visit to Barley Hall lets students discover the story of a wealthy merchant family and see how the house was uncovered and restored. Pupils can explore the rooms, learn about medieval life, and take part in hands-on activities. Students will get the opportunity to:
- Discover how the Snawsell family lived in York during the late medieval period
- Explore the house and see how archaeologists uncovered and restored it
- Investigate everyday life in the past through interactive workshops.
Downloadable resources:
Workshops
Workshops extend your visit with interactive, 45-minute sessions designed to spark pupils’ curiosity. Suitable for all Key Stages, workshops can be tailored to your learning objectives.
Maximum group capacities:
- Under 12s: 24 pupils
Ages 13–18: 18 pupils.
View pricing and planning information here.
Choose from the options below when booking a workshop to complement your Barley Hall visit.
Barley Hall Workshops
Healers and Humours
Learn about Tudor medicine and how illnesses were treated. Discover the methods used by barber surgeons and some of the diseases and cures of the time.
Arms and Armour
Explore the use of weapons in Tudor life, from sport and hunting to self-defence. Understand how weapons were used and valued in everyday life.
Plays and Performances
Learn about medieval and Tudor entertainment by acting out short performances. KS1 groups can try specially designed activities to explore what inhabitants of Barley Hall might have watched and performed.
Ways to Visit Barley Hall
Key Stage 1-3 School Groups
Guided tours are perfect for KS1–3 topics. Pupils will explore the house with costumed guides, take part in roleplay activities, and experience medieval life through interactive challenges.
Key Stage 4-5 School Groups
Explore the story of Barley Hall from its early use by the Priors of Nostell to its rediscovery by archaeologists in the 1980s. Pupils can see the Hall as it might have appeared in the late 1400s and learn about the broader history of urban life in medieval York.
Home Educators
We welcome home educator groups. Families can explore at their own pace during admission slots, or larger home-educating groups can book a guided tour with a costumed team.