Historical Group York Tour

12 to 14 October 2025

The tour began at the Minster, where we joined the long queue for Choral Evensong, followed by a drinks reception in the Minster. Dinner was held in the Minster Refectory restaurant, once the Minster’s Choir School and reopened by King Charles after restoration. Before dinner, Professor Tracey Hill gave a fascinating introduction to the medieval city, and we were pleased to welcome Canons James Milne and Tim Goode as our guests.

Monday began with an engaging talk by Alex MacCallion on the Minster's long-term resilience plan, followed by an impressive tour of the Masons' stoneyard and workshops, showcasing the blend of modern technology and traditional craftsmanship. (A copy of this talk is available from Mark Regan). We also met their delightful little dog. Sarah Griffin then shared some of the Minster Library's treasures, including a copy of the 15th century Nuremberg Chronicle.

Tracey Hill led a walk through the city’s lesser-known medieval streets, and the day concluded with dinner in the stunning Merchant Adventurers’ Hall. Our guest, Professor Sarah Brown, Senior Warden of the Company of Merchant Adventurers and a leading authority on stained glass, spoke about the enduring links between our Companies and her work at the York Glaziers Trust.

On Tuesday, the group divided for tours of the Minster — Sarah Brown led an in-depth exploration of the stained glass, while Alison Edmonds, a Minster bellringer and guide, offered insights into the building’s history. Later, many climbed to the ringing room to hear Jonathan Galloway perform on the carillon, followed by a demonstration from the Minster Bellringers, explained by David Hull. The visit concluded with dinner back at the Refectory — a fitting close to an inspiring tour."