Merchant Adventurers' Hall

It's a beautiful timber-framed Guild Hall built in 1357. Amazingly it's still owned and used by "The Company of Merchant Adventurers of the City of York". There are interesting artifacts including chairs, chests, silver, art, etc. There is also a good cafe on the ground floor. They have laminated sheets describing each room and their contents but I found it easier to download the same thing through Bloomberg Connects "the arts + culture app".

Absolutely remarkable. An architectural marvel, and a tribute to the underpaid, talented carpenters who created the astonishing wooden frame which sustains it all these centuries on. I have been twice and find new things each time and always leave impressed with the sheer beauty of the building. The most astonishing thing in the building is in my view the painting on the top floor ..the Company Portrait. I thought it was a photograph it is in fact an astonishing painting. Read the information attached. There is now a shop and a cafe in the building. In my view a shame, but it generates...at £3.95 a coffee!...a lot of revenue.

The aesthetic of the great hall was somewhat dampened by tacky cardboard cutouts, cheap chairs stacked around the place and half baked token kids activities. The rest of the place was nice. Almost period, a few tacky bits bolted on for various reasons. I think the thing I was missing was the depth of traded and merchant adventure stories.

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.

It was nice to stand in such an old building and imagine all the history and people that have come and gone. All the big decicions that were made there. But it is a very short experience for the money. But then it was cheaper than a pie at the xmas markets.

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.

A fine example of a medieval guildhall. The timber framed roof is very impressive. Lots of information about the history of the building and the merchant's guild. Definitely recommend a visit if you enjoy old buildings.

A lovely historic building that is well worth a visit. Has the added benefit of a very nice cafe that you can access without paying for entry to the Hall.

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.