York Merchant Adventurers' Hall

What completes a day out in York?

A walk down the Shambles for shopping?

A visit to the Minster for some spiritual elevation?

Going underground at the Jorvik Viking Centre to marvel at the dark-ages archeology?

Or how about a walk on the Medieval Walls that ring the City-centre?

There's just so much to do.

And I haven't even mentioned a visit to Cliffords Tower, the National Railway Museum, the Yorkshire Museum, a cruise on the River Ouse, or to just take in some historic York Inns for a pint or two.

But one of my favourite places in York just has to be the Merchant Adventurers' Hall.

Apart from anything else; it is just such a great name!

And it really is one of Yorks unique and distinctive gems.

You'll discover the Merchant Adventurers' Hall is set about 20-foot below the line of the current-day Fossgate and other York streets.

Built in AD 1357 on what was then the level of the land surface; it's a marval to think that everything above that ancient level in York today is a build up of urban detritus and aluvial flood soil that has been layed-down over the 650-years since the Hall was constructed.

Wow!

Nowadays the Hall is open to public as a Museum.

It also makes a marvelous wedding and hospitality venue - all set within beautiful landscaped gardens.

And the Merchant Adventurerer's are still promoting York businesses to this day.

Within it's three distinctive rooms, the Museum houses remarkable collections of silver, furniture and paintings.

They offer a glimpse of the rich history of the Hall and the people of York associated with it.

The Hall itself comprises a Great Hall used for business and social meetings in times past, an undercroft hospital to tend to the sick, and a Chapel providing spiritual care to the Merchant Adventurer's.

The Hall is open to the public nearly every day from May to September.

Entry costs £6 for adults and children under 16 enter for free when accompanying an Adult.

Now that's what I call a bargain!  And Yorshire folks know one when we see one.

Top Local Tip

If you're planning a visit to the Merchant Adventurers' Hall, make sure to call the Hall first on 01904 654818 to check they're open - as they sometimes close for private functions.