A MEDIEVAL townhouse tucked away in a York snickleway has been named one of the most welcoming historic venues in the area.
Barley Hall, a medieval townhouse that has been restored to its former glory after being rediscovered in the 1980's, has received the 'Welcome' award in the Visit England Visitor Attraction Accolade at a ceremony earlier this week.
It was announced on Wednesday (November 12, 2025), during a ceremony at the British Motor Museum in Warwickshire that the hall, which is owned and operated by York Archaeology, was one of only two venues in Yorkshire to receive the award and the only historic property to do so.
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Gareth Henry, director of public engagement at York Archaeology, said: "This is absolutely wonderful news, and a real testament to the hard work of our team based at Barley Hall.
"As a small attraction, the staff there are incredibly passionate about its history, and this clearly comes across to customers and the Visit England assessors when they do their mystery visits.
"The team are currently dressing the hall for Christmas and preparing for a fun events programme, so this is a real boost for them at a busy time of year."
To be celebrate, Barley Hall is marking the festive season with a medieval-inspired Christmas Feast on Friday, December 12; the three-course banquet, served in the candlelit Great Hall, follows a similar sell-out event earlier in the year.
Guests will enjoy a meal with wine, live performance, games, and entertainment.
Mark Jackson, head of operations, said: "This room was designed with entertainment in mind, and it seems only fitting that we use it for a wonderful Christmas celebration.
"We’ve got a mouth-watering medieval-inspired menu including vegetable broth, slow-cooked ox cheeks and, of course, Christmas pudding with brandy sauce, all finished off with a special hot chocolate.
"The candle-lit hall and traditional entertainment will make this an evening that our guests will never forget – following in the footsteps of York’s 15th-century mayor, and former owner of Barley Hall, Sir William Snawsell."
Tickets for the feast are priced at £75 per person and must be booked by Friday, November 28, 2025.
Barley Hall will also host an evening of Broadside Ballads with bard Henry Bird on Wednesday, December 10 where the event includes mulled wine, mince pies, and the captivating sounds of the 16th century.
Tickets are £20 each and must be booked in advance.
More details and booking information for both events are available at barleyhall.co.uk/whats-on
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