Visitors to York’s historic centre can step straight into the 15th century this August Bank Holiday weekend, as living history re-enactors take over Barley Hall to showcase the brutality and combat strategy of the Wars of the Roses.
Running from 29th to 31st August 2026, the three-day event pairs the timber-framed medieval townhouse, once home to former Lord Mayor of York and wealthy goldsmith William Snawsell, with hands-on historic combat demonstrations.
Re-enactors from history group Three Swords will set up inside the Coffee Yard property to explore the 30-year conflict between the Houses of Lancaster and York. Visitors will be able to inspect period weapons and armour before watching live demonstrations of armed and unarmed combat drawn directly from fechtbücher (medieval fighting manuals).
”We are hugely excited to be embracing this turbulent part of English history for our Medieval Weekend at Barley Hall,” said Richard Jones, event manager for York Archaeology, the educational charity that owns and operates the restored townhouse. “The external courtyard and grandeur of the Great Hall provide superb locations for this kind of display, whatever weather the bank holiday weekend throws at us.”
The venue will host main combat presentations twice daily at 11:30am and 2:00pm, alongside guided historical tours of the hall at 1:00pm and 3:00pm.
The event runs daily from 10:00am to 5:00pm (last admission at 4:30pm) and is included with standard entry tickets: £9.50 for adults, £5.50 for children, £7.75 for students, and family packages starting from £22.75.
