THE hidden corners of York Minster and the craftsmen who work there will be the subject of an open day on Friday, September 11.

As part of Heritage Open Days, England’s biggest heritage festival, visitors will be able to see behind the scenes at York Minster’s Stoneyard.

They will be able to see the Minster’s stonemasons, carvers and joiners at work and learn about how they repair, restore and protect the cathedral’s historic fabric, using techniques passed down over centuries.

A key attraction will be a hidden corner of the Minster – the Mason’s Loft, where the Master Mason would draw out the patterns for templates used to create stones for the cathedral. The loft still features drawings from the Master Mason in the 1400s, when the space was last in use.

The Stoneyard itself will also be opened up, including access to special areas like the Drawing Office and plaster cast museum. It will be an opportunity for visitors to learn about past and current projects, including the huge programme of work to restore the cathedral’s East End.

A key theme will be the evolution of York Minster, and how the Norman cathedral of 1080 changed into the largest medieval Gothic cathedral in northern Europe. In the Minster’s learning centre, there will be a working replica of the Minster’s Tracing Floor and digital illustrations of the Minster’s architectural evolution.

The Open Day will run from 9.30am to 3pm at the Stoneyard on Deangate, with guided tours of the Drawing Office and plaster cast museum on the hour, every hour until 2pm.

Sessions at York Minster’s learning centre will take place at 10.30am and 11.30am, 1.30pm and 2.30pm (all lasting one hour). Visitors can sign-up on the day for tours of the Stoneyard and sessions at the Learning Centre.

Hidden tours of the Masons Loft will take place at 1.15pm, 2.45pm and 3.30pm and last approximately 30 minutes. Spaces are limited and advance booking is recommended by emailing info@yorkminster.org or calling 01904 557200.