Merchant Adventurers' Hall

We held our wedding at the Hall at the weekend. We hardly needed to decorate it as it is such a special space. The weather was glorious and we spent time in the wonderful gardens. The staff are amazing, Ricky, Andy and the Beadle Rob. Rob answered so many questions from me in the run up to the wedding, tiny details about table layouts etc, and sound checks. On the day everything was as planned and perfect. Thank you all for our amazing day. Our guests had the best time.

Value. The Merchant Adventurers Hall has to be a must-see location for York. From the condition of the building, to the layout of what you see to the shop and cafe to the admission price it's the top tourist attraction for the price. I highly recommend the food in the cafe and suggest you plan on eating there after visiting. I think my favorite thing was the amazing run of years of continuous use and care provided for this magnificent building.

Really interesting place to visit! The Merchant Adventurers’ Hall is a proper bit of history—think it dates back to the 1300s, which is mad when you’re walking around inside it. The upstairs hall was especially cool, with this super wonky floor that you definitely notice while walking—feels like you’re slightly on a ship! You can just imagine how many people have walked those same boards over the centuries. Only small downside was the massive old kitchen fireplace upstairs has been mostly covered over with silverware displays, which is a bit of a shame—it would’ve been great to see it in all its glory. Still, the building itself and the history behind it are more than worth the visit!

Lovely well preserved building built in 1300’s for religious meetings and a chapel. Nice quiet and informative museum.

Went here for two separate venues and both were a fantastic and immersive experience. The first time was at night for the Jorvik Viking feast and the second was for the Viking traders hall. A fabulous place to hold both venues due to its historic architecture and spacious rooms.

A very old medieval half timbered building which remains in excellent and mostly original condition. The roof trusses inside are original and amazing to see. The building has been in regular use by the city until very recently, and much of that history is there on display. Well worth a visit, not expensive to enter. A nice tea room in the entrance area, with a wonderful medieval atmosphere.

Stopped off here for a drink. Beautiful area to sit and have a cuppa the garden area is so beautiful and tranquil. Dropped down from the main road it’s as if you are not even in the heart of York. The staff are really friendly and polite. Plenty of seating outside but sadly not a great deal of seating inside. Strangely you have to have a take out cup to drink outside but it’s not a big issue is it really when you can sit and enjoy the garden in this weather (a beautiful sunny day)

Loved the Merchants Hall visit earlier this week - such a fascinating building with so much history. Set in lovely gardens it was so enjoyable not too hot inside despite hot day and not too many people so able to have good look around. We also really enjoyed our sit down and offees and cream scones in the cafe. All in all great visit 😃 x

I didn't actually go into the Merchants hall but I passed it several times while visiting York as my hotel on Piccadilly was close by and each time I passed I had to stop to admire this beautiful building, it is stunning and I wish I had had the time to go in but next time for sure.

This is one of the most beautiful buildings, in the most beautiful setting, that I have ever seen. Worth going just to look at the outside. The Merchant Adventurers' Hall is of major national importance and is a grade 1 listed building and scheduled ancient monument. It was built between 1357 and 1361, before most of the craft or trade guild halls in Britain, making it one of the largest buildings of its kind and date in Britain. The gardens around the Hall were formed as a Rest Garden for the people of York after World War I. Until about 1900 the area was a clutter of ramshackle buildings and hovels. In 1357 a number of important men and women came together to form a religious fraternity and to build the Merchant Adventurers' Hall. By 1430 most members were mercers. There are still 150 members of the guild today and they keep alive the York Mystery plays amongst other things. The Great Hall is where meetings and business took place. In the undercroft is the hospital, where the poor and destitute of York were cared for until about 1900. At the far end of the undercroft is the chapel, rebuilt in 1411 in both brick and stone. The furnishings of the chapel are not original; they date from 1661. The best way to go is, as I did once, in a party when an historian of the place (ours was American) will give the group a talk on its history as well. Most of the things to see are asscociated with the guild but it is the building that is what one goes for. If just visiting it is reasonably priced at about £2.50 for entrance.

Very picturesque building in a beautiful setting.Dating back to the 14 century it still stands proud.A meeting place for the merchants and craftsmen of that time.This is well worth a visit for the building is truly special and should be seen. Small admission fee of £2.50.