Barley Hall

2 Coffee Yard, York, YO1 8AR, United Kingdom | Website

Venue Description

Barley Hall is a stunning medieval townhouse, once home to the Priors of Nostell and a Lord 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 revealed. 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. Visitors to Barley Hall can make themselves at home, sit on the chairs, handle the objects and experience what it would have been like to live in medieval England. Please note that Barley Hall is an historic building and features uneven floors, narrow stairs and steps between rooms. Facilities such as accessible toilets and a lift are unavailable due to the nature of the building. * Opening times and prices can be found here: https://barleyhall.co.uk/visit/opening-hours-prices/

Accessibility

Path to main entrance From the street to the main entrance, there is level access. The path is 1100mm wide, or more. Main entrance The main door is side hung and manual. The main entrance has 2 steps. Barley Hall is housed in an historic, medieval building that dates back to at least the 14th century. Due to the historic nature of the building, there are lots of high thresholds (between 140mm and 200mm high) and no lifts access. There is a portable ramp to help visitors over the thresholds, but there is only access via stairs to parts of the building. Additionally, the courtyard outside is cobbled, and some of the flooring inside is uneven. If you are worried about the layout or nature of the building, we can take you into the Hall before you pay so you can make sure you feel comfortable with your visit. You can also view the Great Hall and Servants' Area of the Hall through the glass walls in the passage into Coffee Yard. Getting around inside We have contrast markings on all full-height windows. Some parts of the venue have low lighting. Frosting on full-height windows. Frosting on full-height windows. From the main entrance to the desk, there is level access. Steward's Room - From the main entrance to this area, there is 1 step. Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats. Vestibule Area - From the main entrance to this area, there is 1 step. Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. The vestibule area holds a collection of ceramic finds from the area, as well as the public toilets and the stairs to the first floor of the building. Great Hall - From the main entrance to this area, there is 1 step. Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats. The Great Hall would have been the dining area for the residents of Barley Hall. Here, you can sit at the Lord's high table, handle replica medieval pottery and glass, and experience what a feast during Tudor times may have looked like. Please note there is uneven flooring throughout this room. Gallery - From the main entrance to this area, there are 14 steps. Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats. The Gallery holds part of our newest exhibition, Magic and Mystery. Lesser Chamber - From the main entrance to this area, there are 15 steps. Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats. Greater Chamber - From the main entrance to this area, there are 15 steps. Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats. Parlour - From the main entrance to this area, there are 14 steps. Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats. Buttery - From the main entrance to this area, there are 28 steps. Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. Please note there are two sets of stairs that must be climbed (one going up, one going down) in order to access this area, and those stairs must be climbed again in order to leave Barley Hall. The first set of stairs leads to the Gallery and contains 14 stairs. The second set of stairs leads from the Parlour and contains 13 stairs and is approximately 930mm wide. Pantry - From the main entrance to this area, there are 28 steps. Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. Please note that, like the buttery, there are two sets of stairs that must be climbed (one going up, one going down) in order to access this area, and those stairs must be climbed again in order to leave Barley Hall. The first set of stairs leads to the Gallery and contains 14 stairs. The second set of stairs leads from the Parlour and contains 13 stairs and is approximately 930mm wide. There is also a 160mm high threshold to enter this room and the doorway is 860mm wide. The enter room has a low light level. School Room - From the main entrance to this area, there are 28 steps. Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats. Please note that, like the buttery and pantry, there are two sets of stairs that must be climbed (one going up, one going down) in order to access this area, and those stairs must be climbed again in order to leave Barley Hall. The first set of stairs leads to the Gallery and contains 14 stairs. The second set of stairs leads from the Parlour and contains 13 stairs and is approximately 930mm wide. There is one step into the classroom and the doorway is 1000mm wide.

Accessibility Guide

Accessibility Guide Link: https://barleyhall.co.uk/visit/access

Toilets

Information about the toilets has not been added for this venue.

Staff

Our team is committed to providing the best possible experience to all visitors, especially visitors with disabilities. Guide dogs are welcome throughout our attractions, and staff have undergone Blue Assist, Living Autism, and Welcome All disability awareness training.