Beverley Minster Explore Tours Ground Floor

Beverley Minster Explore Tours Ground Floor Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Beverley Minster Explore Tours Ground Floor, Tour guide, Minster Yard North, Beverley.

Come and find out why this magnificent building is here, the dates, facts, architecture, monuments, carvings, plus stories, past and present, of the many people throughout history who worshipped here and were connected to this spiritual place.

Under the leadership of Canon Nolloth (vicar 1881-1921) around 100 statues were added to the towers, the west portal, an...
17/03/2026

Under the leadership of Canon Nolloth (vicar 1881-1921) around 100 statues were added to the towers, the west portal, and the Highgate entrance in the period 1897-1908. The first was of Queen Victoria, paid for by the women of Beverley to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee, and can be seen on the north face of the north tower. Immediately above her is a medieval statue of Henry Percy, the 1st Earl of Northumberland. In the finial of the west portal stands St. John the Evangelist, to whom the Minster is dedicated. Many subscribed to statues, but the project, which had great local support, was strongly opposed by the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings. Five of the eleven Old Fund Trustees objected to the use of Trust Funds for the Ketton stone for the statues and the fixing but they were overruled by the Charity Commissioners. Another legacy of Canon Nolloth is the wall and iron fence around the churchyard which he paid for in 1905-6 to replace a brick wall of 'squalid ugliness'. Booking a tour with us before 22nd April will be in time for you to also see the wonderful Threads Exhibition which is free. https://www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing/103812
Beverley Minster Roof Tours Beverley Minster Visit East Yorkshire Two Churches One Town - Beverley Visit Beverley The Friends of Beverley Minster Beverley Minster Old Fund Surveyor

The Minster would have been a much more colourful place in the Middle Ages. Reading through some old 1870s parish magazi...
10/03/2026

The Minster would have been a much more colourful place in the Middle Ages. Reading through some old 1870s parish magazines there was an update on the ongoing refurbishments. The remaining patches of yellow colour wash were removed from the great piers above the organ once the eyesore of a stone screen had been taken down. Removal of the dingy colour wash in the chancel gradually revealed the Newbald stone beneath. The whole of the eastern portion of the church was being passed under the hands of the stone scraper. The oak screens and the sedilia at the East end of the stalls had been painted in many coats of thickness and had to be placed in a large tank of a solution to soften the paint, making it easy for brushing to enable the original sharpness and delicate finish of the carving to be preserved. During the Reformation whitewashing was actually useful: it was cheap, quick, and reversible, so many medieval paintings survived hidden underneath for centuries. In the Victorian era, much whitewash, and paintings hidden beneath were scraped off which was often known as “The Great Scrape.” Do come and visit our beautiful Minster and our tour guides can explain so much more. You will be helping with the costly maintenance of the building. We look forward to seeing you and the booking details are here https://www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing/103812
Beverley Minster Roof Tours Beverley Minster Visit East Yorkshire Two Churches One Town - Beverley Visit Beverley The Friends of Beverley Minster Beverley Minster Old Fund Surveyor

The choir stalls combine seats, Misericords (mercy seats) and canopies of the 1520s with some 18th century heads. The fi...
02/03/2026

The choir stalls combine seats, Misericords (mercy seats) and canopies of the 1520s with some 18th century heads. The figures on the canopies are by Robert Baker added in the early 20th century and replacing the mediaeval originals. In 1758 Sir William Burrell set off on a Northern tour, and visited the Minster which he said was a most beautiful Gothic building worthy the attention of every traveller. Among many other things, he mentioned the carved work over the stalls in the choir of Irish Oak, which he stated had a peculiar felicity (good fortune) that spiders would not harbour there. He also noted that at Hull and Beverley there were more pretty girls than from London to the Humberside! One of the intricate carvings could be one of the Bars (gates) through the walls of York. Another, Will[el]mi Wyght refers to William Wright, one of the Minster's officers. Come and visit us for a tour with one of our friendly and knowledgeable guides. Dates for the tours are generally on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays but group bookings can be arranged at other times. Details are found on our website by following this link https://www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing/103812
Beverley Minster Roof Tours Beverley Minster Visit East Yorkshire Two Churches One Town - Beverley Visit Beverley The Friends of Beverley Minster Beverley Minster Old Fund Surveyor

From the top of the Reredos more detail can be seen of Lady Eleanor Percy's canopy which was originally painted and guil...
24/02/2026

From the top of the Reredos more detail can be seen of Lady Eleanor Percy's canopy which was originally painted and guilded. Some of the shields retain extensive traces of blue polychromy. Eleanor Percy nèe Fitzalan, wife of Henry, 1st Baron Percy, died at the Percy dower house at Seamer, near Scarborough in July 1328. The monument itself was probably ordered and paid for by her son. Eleanor appears on the south side holding the shield of arms of Fitzalan of Clun. Between 1689 and 1702 when Celia Feinnes was riding through England on horseback, side saddle, she visited Beverley and the Minster and described the canopy as carved with all sorts of curiosities with guilding and painting. Amazing detail, and so much more for you to see and learn about from our enthusiastic guides. You will not be disappointed, so do book a tour with us using this link https://www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing/103812
Beverley Minster Roof Tours Beverley Minster Visit East Yorkshire Visit Beverley Two Churches One Town - Beverley The Friends of Beverley Minster Beverley Minster Old Fund Surveyor

This 17thC panel painting is the Hildyard shield from a family with Anglo Saxon origins. "The Escut. (shield) of Captain...
16/02/2026

This 17thC panel painting is the Hildyard shield from a family with Anglo Saxon origins. "The Escut. (shield) of Captaine Robt Hildyard Second son to Sr Robert Hildyard of Patrington in ye County of York, Baron he married She of ye co heires of Garvas, Hammerton of Auckborough in the County of Lincoln ESqr. And was buried here on the ninth day June Anno Dom 1685". Robert Hildyard of Patrington and Winestead (b1612 d1685) was on the privy council of Charles I and was Major-General in the King's army during the English Civil War. Raised to Baronetcy in 1660. Not to be confused with Rev'd William Hildyard (1790-1872) from the same family who was curate at the Minster for 30+ years. Unfortunately his major faults, a list of which are too many to mention here, but can be found in the book sold in the Minster shop, edited by Rosemary Horrox "Beverley Minster: an Illustrated history" (page 79), rather outweighed his few redeeming features! The Friends of Beverley Minster had the panel, which was painted in oil c1685, restored to its former glory in 2012. The work was carried out by Hirst Conservation. Come and see this and treat yourself, friends and family to a guided tour, usually held on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The link to dates, times and bookings is here:- https://beverleyminster.org.uk/guided-tours-date-selection
Beverley Minster Roof Tours Beverley Minster Visit East Yorkshire Two Churches One Town - Beverley Visit Beverley The Friends of Beverley Minster Beverley Minster Old Fund Surveyor

In the reredos, the 12 statues in the niches north and south of the altar were created in Horsham Stone by Mr. Nathaniel...
09/02/2026

In the reredos, the 12 statues in the niches north and south of the altar were created in Horsham Stone by Mr. Nathaniel Hitch of Vauxhall in 1897, carried out by Canon Nolloth in memory of his father. Most of the statues are of saints - St John of Beverley is third from the left in the lower row. King Athelstan features also - sixth from the left. Nathaniel Hitch also carved the wooden figures on the pillars supporting the western side of the Elwell completed wooden organ screen under the supervision of John Loughborough Pearson, RA. The original Hawksmoor stone organ screen was removed in 1875 in and now remnants are in a garden in North Lincolnshire. There is lots more to be seen and fascinating facts to be told by our tour guides who are eager to show you round. More details on our link https://beverleyminster.org.uk/guided-tours-date-selection
Beverley Minster Roof Tours Beverley Minster Visit East Yorkshire Visit Beverley Two Churches One Town - Beverley The Friends of Beverley Minster Beverley Minster Old Fund Surveyor

The Black Death would have arrived with little or no warning in 1348 and lasted until 1351, killing masons and workmen a...
03/02/2026

The Black Death would have arrived with little or no warning in 1348 and lasted until 1351, killing masons and workmen and stopping building abruptly, meaning that somehow the building would have to be roofed in order to keep it sound and prevent weathering of the new stonework. There would have been no telling when the work could start again. It may have been as late as 1360. At the Highgate crossing a join can be seen with smaller stone to the east nave and larger stone to the west. The 'Chronica de Melsa', a history of the Abbey at Meaux, 7 miles to the east, tells the story that out of 50 monks only 10 survived. In the latter year, a Bedfordshire man arrived barefoot on pilgrimage to the shrine of St. John, testament to the saint's established reputation as a healer by this time. This information and much more is to be discovered on our tours by booking a place with this link
https://beverleyminster.org.uk/guided-tours-date-selection
Beverley Minster Roof Tours Beverley Minster Visit East Yorkshire Visit Beverley Two Churches One Town - Beverley The Friends of Beverley Minster Beverley Minster Old Fund Surveyor

The Bedern was the communal residence of the Minster clergy just across the road from the West front of the Minster whic...
27/01/2026

The Bedern was the communal residence of the Minster clergy just across the road from the West front of the Minster which was ideal for both vicars and parsons who were given land on which to build their own clergy house within the Bedern close in 1399. The ideal was perhaps always fragile as clergy wills show that some vicars had their own houses and servants within the town. In 1459 Archbishop, William Booth sharply accused the vicars of turning away from ancient custom to the offence of God and the peril of their souls and reminded them that they are required by statute to dine and sup within the Bedern. He also added that Marion Scotswoman was not to be received within the gates of the Bedern! The houses on St. John's Street now occupy the site which extended along Keldgate and Minster Moorgate. It is good to know that the 'fellowship of vicars' did overcome these problems and thrived. Come and have a tour around our beautiful Minster, there is a lot to see and our friendly guides are most knowledgeable The
link for booking is here https://beverleyminster.org.uk/guided-tours-date-selection
Beverley Minster Roof Tours Beverley Minster Visit East Yorkshire Visit Beverley Two Churches One Town - Beverley The Friends of Beverley Minster Beverley Minster Old Fund Surveyor

20/01/2026

Pinnacles, similar to spires, symbolise the church's aspiration towards heaven. They are necessary for the Minster's stability as well as being decorative. There is a free exhibition: "The Art of the Stonemason", on every day up until 29th January. Some pinnacles can become defective through aging, and on display, is one that needed replacing, but then it was 750 years old! Come and combine this with one of our ground floor tours. Our guides can walk you through the different styles of architecture from 1188 to 1420. The link is here for booking a tour https://beverleyminster.org.uk/guided-tours-date-selection
Beverley Minster Roof Tours Beverley Minster Visit East Yorkshire Visit Beverley Two Churches One Town - Beverley The Friends of Beverley Minster Beverley Minster Old Fund Surveyor

The banner of St. John of unknown origin kept on a pedestal in the South transept of the Minster was believed to aid vic...
13/01/2026

The banner of St. John of unknown origin kept on a pedestal in the South transept of the Minster was believed to aid victory in battle and was frequently sent out with royal armies. The earliest recorded such conflict was 1138 when an English army defeated a Scots invasion near Northallerton. It became known as the Battle of the Standard. Gilbert de Grimsby was custodian of the banner when he was precenter of the Minster, formerly vicar choral and as chaplain of King's Chapel he was required to take the banner to Scotland in 1296 and again in 1300. It was quite a responsible and dangerous job carrying the banner and only being able to fight or defend yourself with one hand making sure that the banner could be seen at all times, otherwise the Army could become disorientated. Do check out our guided tour dates and treat yourself to some more interesting stories and amazing architecture with this link https://beverleyminster.org.uk/guided-tours-date-selection
Beverley Minster Roof Tours Beverley Minster Visit East Yorkshire Visit Beverley Two Churches One Town - Beverley The Friends of Beverley Minster Beverley Minster Old Fund Surveyor

Visitors often remark why do we have such a large church for a town and especially when the town was much smaller. The c...
06/01/2026

Visitors often remark why do we have such a large church for a town and especially when the town was much smaller. The college of priests, 76 in total, and the shrine of St. John were swept away at the Reformation and Beverley was left with a church considerably too large for the parish. Resources in the parish could not cope with the maintenance costs and by the early 18th century parts of the fabric were on the point of collapse. Our guides can tell you more about this. In the middle ages, the great church had been divided into many separate spaces. The heart of the church, accessible only to the clergy, was the choir/quire and chancel housing the high altar. Normally the laity (congregation) worshipped in the nave although the Reformation did away with these graduations of holiness and made the interior of the Minster a single space. I did come across a 1945 guidebook, with visitor regulations:- "Admission free except to the chancel 6d; and to the towers 6d. Visitors with parcels (shopping) etc., on entering the chancel are to be asked to leave them on the seat near the organ staircase. Young people must be accompanied by elders up the towers and when finished descend quietly into the church from the tower staircase." How times change! Come and find out more by booking a tour with us https://beverleyminster.org.uk/guided-tours-date-selection
Beverley Minster Roof Tours Beverley Minster Visit East Yorkshire Visit Beverley Two Churches One Town - Beverley The Friends of Beverley Minster Beverley Minster Old Fund Surveyor

Address

Minster Yard North
Beverley
HU170DP

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4am
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

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