The Merchant Adventurers Hall

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.

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.