Beasts at Barley Hall

Why would a porcupine’s quill be found in medieval York? Which animal’s teeth were carved into a chess set? And what does a 15th century dog collar have to do with a window in York Minster?

These mysteries and many more will be explored in an exciting new exhibition for Summer 2024 at Barley Hall, the restored medieval townhouse hidden on one of York’s snickleways! Beasts at Barley Hall tells the stories of animals in medieval life, from domestic pets (and pests) and livestock to lions, bears and even dragons, using artefacts found in and around the city of York.

Hands-on activities for children, new accessible interpretation boards, audio stories and much more make Beasts At Barley Hall a must-see if you are in York this summer!

Opening from 1 July, the exhibition is included in your admission ticket.