Beverley St Marys - visits to the Bell Tower and Priest's room
St Mary's Church, North Bar Within, Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire, HU17 8DL
St Mary's, Beverley is one of the two internationally recognised Grade I listed churches that dominate this ancient market town. It was established around 1120 as a chapel dependent on the Minster, it served those who lived and worked at the north side of the town.
From the exterior it looks like a Medieval Church. However, in reality, much of the church was damaged when the tower fell in 1520. The restoration of the western part, completed in 1531 (the date on the huge font), was a Tudor achievement, with some of those who funded this recorded in carvings above the nave pillars, the most famous being the Minstrels’ pillar near the pulpit. Further east, in the Quire, are 15th century misericords, with carvings of angels, legendary stories and even an elephant. Overhead is the famous ceiling of Kings of England, first painted in 1445.
The history and sheer magnificence of St Mary’s reflect the town’s wealth through its merchants and their trade, mainly in wool and cloth. Recent restoration work focused on the many carvings in the panelled timber ceilings, and new stone images outside on both sides of the nave.
Timings
- Friday 11 September:
- Church open 1030 to 1600, tours at 11-15 and 14-00; Priest's Room and Bell Tower tours
- Saturday 12 September:
- Church open 1030 to 1300 with a Tour at 1100 and Priest's Room open 1130 to 1300
- Monday 14 September:
- Church open 1100 to 1600
- Tuesday 15 September:
- Church open 1100 to 1600
- Wednesday 16 September:
- Church open 1100 to 1600
- Thursday 17 September:
- Church open 1100 to 1600
- Friday 18 September:
- Church open 1100 to 1600
Location & directions
St Mary's Church, North Bar Within, Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire, HU17 8DL
- Directions:
- St Marys is in North Bar Within opposite the Beverley Arms Hotel
- Contact on day:
- Carole Crossland
- Telephone number:
- +447968280649
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking required
- Booking conditions:
- Book in the Church on the day of your visit
- Booking contact name:
- Carole Crossland
Accessibility details
The entrance to St Mary's has steps down from the street level and some uneven floors. There are some ramps inside the building and a small lift at the south porch entrance which is NOT suitable for motorised equipment due to weight limitations.. There are 77 steps up to the Bell Ringing Chamber
Additional information
- Max number of people:
- 25
- Estimated duration:
- 1 hour(s)
