Discover Merchant Adventurers’ Hall in York
Merchant Adventurers' Hall, York's most impressive semi-timbered structure, was built almost 650 years ago by a religious fraternity turned pioneering business consortium. As the largest structure of its kind in Britain, the hall has been designated a Grade I Listed building and Scheduled Ancient Monument.
It is situated in Fossgate, on the banks of the River Foss in York city centre and functions as a museum. The three main rooms—the Great Hall, the Undercroft, and the Chapel—are filled with remarkable artefacts, including silverware, furniture, and paintings. Additionally, Merchant Adventurers' Hall remains the base for the Company of Merchant Adventurers of the City of York, highlighting its continued relevance in the modern world.
Beyond its role as a museum, the hall is committed to promoting education on business and enterprise. Through school visits, masterclasses, and public lectures, the hall seeks to inspire and nurture the next generation of entrepreneurs, even offering financial support through sponsorship programs. Following this charitable trend, the hall’s trust supports pensioners in need.
The History of the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall
Merchant Adventurers' Hall was initially built as the communal meeting hall, chapel, and undercroft hospital of the Fraternity of the Holy Trinity, providing support to struggling traders in the aftermath of the Black Death. Construction of the hall, on the site of a Norman mansion, was carried out from 1357 to 1368.
Over the centuries, the hall evolved into a powerful trading body, receiving royal charters and wielding significant influence over York's import and export trade. The hall's significance extended far beyond its walls, as it facilitated commerce with Europe and the Far East, importing exotic goods and spices that enriched England's economy.
Despite facing challenges during the industrial revolution, the hall persevered, thanks in part to support from York's chocolate-making families, ensuring its preservation for future generations.
Creating the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall
The Hall's structure, framed in oak from the Forest of Galtres, showcases intricate craftsmanship and lasting strength. Over the centuries, it underwent alterations, including the construction of a chapel in the early 15th century, improvements like panelling, plaster ceilings, and new chimney stacks in the 16th century, and the addition of anterooms and the Governor's Parlour in the early 17th century.
The Hall's upper section has timber framing with beautifully decorated barge boards dating to 1601, contrasting the ground level's brickwork made from bricks crafted in a nearby Carmelite Friary—the first bricks made in York since Roman times. Inside some of the more impressive features include original fireplaces, windows, and ornate woodwork.
Exploring the Merchant Adventurers' Hall
When exploring Merchant Adventurers' Hall in York you will immediately be struck by how preserved the building and its treasures are following restoration works in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Inside the hall has three distinct rooms representing the functions of a mediaeval guild: business and social gatherings in the Great Hall, charitable activities in the Undercroft, and religious services in the Chapel.
Historical objects are scattered throughout the Hall so there’s always something to look at. There are oil paintings, prints, watercolours, drawings, vernacular furniture, and antique silver and jewellery. Keep an eye out for the 'Evidence Chest,' dating back to the 1340s, and a Governor's Chair crafted by Robert Thompson, 'The Mouseman of Kilburn', in 1940.
The Great Hall
As with most buildings like Merchant Adventurers' Hall, the Great Hall is naturally the grandest feature. Remarkably wide and supported by a timber-framed structure, this Great Hall features black marks on its beams, remnants of candles used for lighting during the Middle Ages. Highlights include the Georgian-era Governor's Stall and a 16th century fireplace.
Antechambers and Governor's Parlour
Adjacent to the main entry are three antechambers, once used as small apartments and now holding showstoppers such as a 17th century Nuremberg chest and The Abbot's Chair, a beautifully carved seat for dignitaries.
The Governor's Parlour, where business matters were discussed, retains its 16th century fireplace and modern stained glass windows, which hold details of the guild's international trading history.
The Undercroft and Chapel
Beneath the hall lies the Undercroft, a hospital for the poor from 1373 to 1900. Adjoining it is the Chapel, both built in the 14th century. Visitors can observe the raised floor level of the Undercroft, protected from flooding, and view a unique "Pancake Bell" from the original church of St Crux, signalling traditional events on Shrove Tuesday.
The Merchant Adventurers' Hall Gardens
Surrounding the hall are gardens, established in 1918 as a Rest Garden after World War I, offering a serene retreat for visitors to enjoy amidst the city's bustling streets.
Merchants’ Coffee House
It is likely that the Merchant’s Coffee House has been operating for as long as the Adventurers’ Hall. Guests can sit inside the Great Hall itself sipping hot chocolates with whipped cream and marshmallows in those colder winter months. Or in summer enjoy a refreshing sparkling elderflower, dandelion & burdock, or rose lemonade out in the Courtyard surrounded by the gardens, established in 1918 as a Rest Garden after World War I.
The menu at Merchants’ Coffee House uses only local ingredients and offers seasonal specialties. From hearty lunchtime classics like Yorkshire Rarebit or Homemade Soup of the Day, to tempting cakes, sandwiches, and salads. Oh and a heads up from us—save room for dessert—their freshly baked scones with jam and clotted cream and the lemon drizzle cake are summer treats you won’t want to miss.
The Coffee House welcomes guests Sunday to Friday from 10:00am to 4:30pm and Saturday from 10:00am to 1:30pm.
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