Discover 700 years of history in York's Hidden Ancient Hall
From creative workshops and atmospheric concerts to exceptional dining experiences that celebrate local flavours, our events offer something special for every visitor. Set within the walls of our beautifully preserved medieval hall, each occasion is a chance to connect with culture and community.
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Mark Armistice Day with a powerful and moving evening that brings history vividly to life through the authentic voices of those who were there.
Hank’s Story: In the Footsteps of Hank Haydock; A Walk in the Park. A short site specific film telling the story of Coldstream Guardsman, Dennis “Hank” Haydock. From his time in a tank training camp in Duncombe Park, North Yorkshire to VE Day, this unique theatre experience, inspired by his written memoirs, interweaves verbatim monologues to bring Hank’s powerful first-hand experiences vividly to life in the actual place where he was stationed just prior to the D-Day Landings.
Sleep/Re-Live/ Wake/ Repeat : Smudger’s Story. A live spoken word with song curation performed by playwright Helena Fox and actor-vocalist Natasha Jones, interweaving the first hand D-Day testimonies of infantryman Ken “Smudger” Smith with haunting acapella vocals and set against a backdrop of still image photographs of the Middle East taken by Smudger during WW2.
Creators and artists are Helena Fox and Natasha Jones
From the beaches of Normandy to a lifetime of remarkable experiences, Ken Cooke has a story worth telling.
Join us at historic Bedern Hall for a very special opportunity to meet Normandy veteran Ken Cooke and celebrate the publication of his memoir, Every Day is an Adventure.
Ken was just a young man when he took part in the D-Day landings in June 1944, becoming part of one of the most significant events of the Second World War. More than eight decades later, his remarkable memories, warmth and spirit continue to inspire new generations.
His memoir is not simply a story of war, but a celebration of a life lived to the full, with all its challenges, friendships, humour and adventures.
Come along to meet Ken, hear a little of his extraordinary story and have your copy of his book personally signed.
A wonderful opportunity to meet a remarkable man and a living link with history.
We’re delighted to welcome Dr. Jeremy Goldberg to Bedern Hall for a fascinating talk on York’s medieval mystery plays. A cultural and social historian of later medieval England, Dr. Goldberg taught at the University of York for 35 years and has published widely on everyday life in the Middle Ages, from work and family to drama and community. He is now an emeritus reader and, intriguingly, is currently writing a cultural history of medieval cows.
In this talk, Jeremy explores the origins and development of York’s famous street drama, created in the late 14th century to bring the story of the Passion to life. He will look at who performed the plays, how they evolved over the following century and a half, and how York’s tradition fits into a wider landscape of performance across northern England and Western Europe. Approaching the mystery plays through the lens of cultural history rather than theatre studies, this promises to be a rich and engaging perspective on a defining part of York’s heritage.