The Kings Manor - City Centre

Kings Manor is situated in the heart of York and is one of York's most attractive and historic buildings... A delight not to be missed.

The Refectory Café offers campus prices with a fabulous city centre location. King's Manor is also the perfect setting for conference events, meetings or dinners.

What is available at The Refectory Café?

A variety of sandwiches, snacks, delicious soups, a freshly prepared salad bar and speciality coffees.

Term Time Opening Times:

Monday to Friday 09:30 - 15:30

Location:

King's Manor is in Exhibition Square, next to the City Art Gallery and opposite the Theatre Royal

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Click on the map above to view a larger map showing all catering and bar outlets on campus

Conference, meeting or dinner bookings information:

Further information to hire Kings Manor for Conferences, Meetings or Dinners, please contact the University’s Conference Office tel. 01904 328431 or e.mail conferences@york.ac.uk

Q: Why are the 'N's in King's Manor logo the wrong way round?

A: Find out the answer on the information board at the entrance to King's Manor!

A brief history of King’s Manor:

In the late 11 th century the Benedictine Abbey of St. Mary’s was founded just outside the city walls of York. Located in the northeast corner of the abbey grounds was the residence of the Abbot. Over the centuries the abbey prospered and grew and this was reflected in the Abbot’s House. By the late 15 th century the building was a splendid “U”-shape house. In parts of the building there is evidence of the use of terracotta – probably the first use of this material in any building in England.

The reign of Henry VIII, however, saw the dissolution of the monasteries but the building was retained by the Crown and allocated to the Council of the North. From then on it became known as The King’s Manor. In 1561 it also became the residence of the Lord President of the Council. Much re-building took place in the late 16 th and early 17 th centuries (particularly during the Lord Presidency of the Earl of Huntingdon from 1572 to 1595).

Following the English Civil War the King’s Manor saw a multitude of uses including, for a brief period, a Catholic seminary; a boarding school for girls; the first Assembly Rooms for the City of York; and workshops and apartments for various artists and artisans.

In 1833 the Yorkshire School for the Blind occupied part of the building. Gradually the school expanded and by the 1880’s it filled every corner of the site. Towards the end of the 19 th century new school buildings (including a gymnasium) were added to the rear of King’s Manor (built over what are 17 th century cellars).

The School for the Blind moved from King’s Manor in 1958 and the City of York Council who, in 1963, leased it to the University of York acquired the building. Further major renovation work was undertaken in the 1960’s with the Institute for Advanced Architectural Studies being the first centre to take up residence.

Since the 1990’s King’s Manor has been the home to the University of York’s Department of Archaeology, Centre for Medieval Studies and Centre for 18th Century Studies and a branch of the University Library.