King's Manor

The proud possession of the University of York, King's Manor is another of York's historic jewels.

Its original purpose was to house the Abbots of St Mary's Abbey (the remains of which can be seen in the nearby Museum Gardens).

The Abbot's House probably occupied the King's Manor site from the 11th century onwards but its earliest surviving remains are 15th century.

When the abbey was dissolved in 1539, Henry VIII instructed that it be the seat of the Council of the North. It performed this role until the Council was abolished in 1641.

The building has been referred to as King's Manor since as early as 1545 and it has been visited by Henry VIII, James I and Charles I.

Prior to the Battle of Marston Moor in 1644, the Manor was the scene of a skirmish during the Siege of York, when Parliamentarian forces broke through the Abbey walls. They were driven off with difficulty by the Royalist defenders of the city.

Following the Civil War, the building was hired out to private tenants and, during the 18th century, the Manor was divided into apartments.

After an appeal in 1833, the Yorkshire School for the Blind was established in memory of William Wilberforce, the anti-slavery campaigner.

The school gradually took over the entire complex and, over the years, extended and restored the building.

It is now the home of the University's Centre for Medieval Studies and Department of Archaeology.

Further details:

Open: Open 7 days a week 9.30am - 4pm. Opening times around Christmas may vary, please telephone for details.

Admission: Free

Facilities: Refectory, conference rooms available for hire. Occasional art exhibitions.

Disabled access: Ground floor only.

Contact: York University (01904) 433926.

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