York Guildhall

The Guildhall is an integral part of York's history. It is built on the site of an earlier guildhall or 'common Hall' which is referred to in a charter of Henry III of 1256. Building work on the present Guildhall began in 1445 and the accounts still survive. The cost of a boatload of stone from Cawood (10 shillings and 3 pence) was given to the workmen for drink when the foundations were laid. A council meeting was recorded there in May 1459.

The building received a direct hit from an incendiary bomb on 29th April 1942. The stone shell of the building and the remains of the bomb remained standing as a grim reminder until 1956 when restoration work was started. The Guildhall was re-opened by Queen Elizabeth , the Queen Mother on 21st June 1960.

Inside the hall, looking up are a number of amusing roof bosses depicting grotesque faces and animals. The West window, part of the 1960 restoration illustrates many spheres of York life, there is also a wrought iron balustrade a gift from York's twin city, Munster in Germany.

Upstairs is the city's Victorian Council Chamber constructed between 1889 and 1891, a fine panelled room with original furniture. The walls still richly glowing in green and red with crowns and lions rampant gleaming gold after more than 100 years.

The Guildhall was also used as a Court of Justice. The persecution of Catholics during the time of Queen Elizabeth I led to the trial of Margaret Clitherow there in 1586 at the City Assizes. Articles for conducting Mass had been found in a secret room adjoining her house in the Shambles. She subsequently suffered the horrible death reserved for those who refused to accept the jurisdiction of the court, she was pressed to death at the toll booth on Ouse Bridge. She was canonised in 1970.

At the time of the Civil War, the £200,000 payment to the Scots for their aid to the Parliamentary forces is traditionally supposed to have been counted in the 'inner or Justice Room' in 1647. The sum was divided and paid over at Northallerton and Newcastle and Charles I was handed over, his execution took place in London in 1649

The Guildhall is the hub of City of York Council and has been serving both the Council and York citizens for over five and a half centuries.

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Nearby Attractions

• Fairfax House (<1 Mile)*
  Come and unlock the splendour within the finest Georgian town house in England. A classical architectural masterpiece of its age, Fairfax House was originally the winter home of Viscount Fairfax.
  
• York Dungeon (<1 Mile)*
  New from Easter 2011 - Gladiators of YorkCower in a world of dust and blood as you are hurled into the human horror circus of the Gladiator arena.
  
• Cliffords Tower (<1 Mile)*
  Visitors to the historic city of York cannot miss the historic Clifford's Tower sitting incongruously on its grassy mound in the centre of the bustling city.
  

The Apartment in York (< 1 Mile)* York city centre Apartment in the perfect location. 5 mins walk from city centre attractions and restaurants. 2 bedrooms, sleeps up to 4. Secured Garaged Parking.

Escrick Apartment (< 1 Mile)* A modern one bedroom apartment, just 5 minutes stroll from the heart of the city centre, which can be reached via a beautiful riverside path. York's key attractions are less than a mile away

Knavesmire Cottage (2 Miles)* Knavesmire cottage is a Grade two listed Victorian cottage which once formed part of the old village school and is located near to York racecourse.

more self catering near York Guildhall ...

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Nearby Attractions

• Fairfax House (<1 Mile)* Come and unlock the splendour within the finest Georgian town house in England. A classical architectural masterpiece of its age, Fairfax House was originally the winter home of Viscount Fairfax.
  
• York Dungeon (<1 Mile)* New from Easter 2011 - Gladiators of YorkCower in a world of dust and blood as you are hurled into the human horror circus of the Gladiator arena.
  
• Cliffords Tower (<1 Mile)* Visitors to the historic city of York cannot miss the historic Clifford's Tower sitting incongruously on its grassy mound in the centre of the bustling city.
  
• Jorvik Viking Centre (<1 Mile)* Explore York's Viking history on the very site where archaeologists uncovered remains of the Viking-Age City of 'Jorvik'.
  
• DIG-An Archaeological Adventure (<1 Mile)* One of the best family day outs. No other experience gets you as close to the excitement of archaeological discovery. It's unique!
  
• Merchant Adventurers' Hall (<1 Mile)* The Merchant Adventurers' Hall is one of York's medieval marvels. Set in beautiful gardens in the heart of historical York, it is open for public use.
  
• York Brewery Tour (<1 Mile)* Established in 1996 within the City Walls, York Brewery is both a tourist attraction and a working brewery, providing customers locally and around the country with the first traditionally brewed ales from within the walls of York for over 40 years.
  
• Yorkshire Museum (<1 Mile)* The Yorkshire Museum houses some of the finest collections of archaeological finds in Europe, spanning Roman, Anglo-Saxon, Viking and Medieval times.
  
• York Minster (<1 Mile)* The magnificent Cathedral in York, known as York Minster is the largest Gothic Cathedral in Northern Europe, renowned for containing the largest collection of medieval stained glass in England.
  
• Rockingham Castle (<1 Mile)* Overlooking the beautiful Welland Valley and offering fine views over five counties visitors will immediately understand why William the Conqueror ordered this fascinating Norman Castle to be built.
  

Nearby Towns

• York (<1 Mile)* York is often referred to as the capital City of the north of England. Until the industrial revolution York was second in size of population and importance only to London.
  
• Stillingfleet (6 Miles)* Stillingfleet is a delightful, attractive little North Yorkshire Village of approx 160 houses and a population of just 350 inhabitants.
  
• Riccall (8 Miles)* Situated just off the busy A19 between Selby and York, Riccall is a small picturesque village centred on the village green and ancient church.
  
• Kirk Hammerton (9 Miles)* Kirk Hammerton is mentioned in the Domesday Book under its then name of Altera Hanbretone which means village on a hill. In fact, our beautiful Saxon church is the only building currently on a hill
  
• Bugthorpe (11 Miles)* I guess many will be asking Where's Bugthorpe??? Bugthorpe is a tiny rural village in the East Riding of Yorkshire at the foot of Garrowby Hill, just off the A166.
  
• Boston Spa (11 Miles)* Standing on the banks of the rushing River Wharfe, the West Yorkshire village of Boston Spa is within the civil parish of Leeds.
  
• Saxton (12 Miles)* Saxton is a small village one mile from the village of Towton, famous as the site of a major war of the roses battlefield.
  
• Everingham (13 Miles)* Everingham is a village in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It is situated 5 miles west of Market Weighton town centre and 4 miles south of Pocklington town centre.
  
• Slingsby (14 Miles)* The small hamlet of Slingsby is about six miles west of Malton in the Ryedale district of North Yorkshire.
  
• Aldborough (15 Miles)* The charming village of Aldborough, was once the important Roman garrison town of Isurium Brigantium a major settlement for the Brigantes, the largest tribe in Roman Britain.