Coffee, Crafting, Costumes and Christmas – the perfect blend this winter at York’s Barley Hall

The Hall is truly decked with boughs of holly at one of York’s city centre visitor attractions, as Barley Hall prepares for a bumper festive season packed with crafting workshops, classic Shakespearean costumes and the finest hot brew the city has seen since the Georgian heyday of the coffee house!

“We are embracing the idea of Christmas through the ages here at Barley Hall this December. The Hall itself was built in the 14th century, our The Bard At Barley Hall exhibition celebrates the works of the world’s most famous Elizabethan playwright – including costumes from modern day stage and screen productions. Our coffee shop embraces its Georgian roots, with historic artefacts and films about coffee culture of the 18th century, and our brand new crafting workshops follow the 1940s tradition of making your own decorations,” explains Barley Hall’s manager, Paul Ruxton.

“Keep Calm & Craft” is the name given to the two crafting workshops, which take place on 14 and 21 December in the newly-opened first floor of Barley Hall Coffee Shop. The first session (2pm on 14 December) will see participants make and take home Christmas crackers, baubles and lanterns, whilst the second session (5.30pm on 21 December) will focus on stars, paper chains and Christmas cones – traditionally used to hang sweets on a Christmas tree. Both sessions last three hours, and include a gourmet hot drink and a sweet Christmas treat. The sessions cost £20 and must be booked in advance.

The Bard at Barley Hall exhibition continues to enthral visitors, with costumes worn by Michael Fassbender, Kate Winslet and Al Pacino proving particularly popular. Two more elaborate costumes are due to be added to the exhibition this winter, taking pride of place in the Great Hall – which can be viewed through the glass wall on the snickleway between Grape Lane and Stonegate. “We have had a brilliant response to our exhibition since it opened in the summer – children enjoy making their own shadow puppet shows, and the ultimate Shakespearean selfie opportunity – with costumes to try on – are very popular,” adds communications and marketing manager, Lisa Wood.

Barley Hall’s new coffee shop is also going from strength to strength, with more seating now available on the first floor, providing a cosy space to enjoy a unique roast of coffee commissioned especially for the venue. Bags of beans – whole or ground – are also available so visitors far and wide can enjoy a taste of the Georgian-inspired blend at home.

Barley Hall and the Coffee Shop are open daily from 10am to 3pm. Admission prices are £7.50 for adults, £6.00 for concessions and £4.50 for children, with family tickets (two adults and two/three children) available for £21.00 and £25.00 respectively. Barley Hall is located in Coffee Yard, which is accessed through a small alleyway leading from Stonegate to Grape Lane. A red devil can be seen by the entrance to the alleyway on Stonegate, under the Ye Olde Starre Inn sign.

For more information, or to book to tickets for events or general admission, please visit barleyhall.co.uk.