Beverley Guildhall
Free community museum in Beverley’s Grade I listed Guildhall, with a Georgian courtroom, civic silver and paintings by Fred Elwell.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Beverley Guildhall is a Grade I listed building in Register Square. The oldest parts date from around 1320, and the town officials bought the property in 1501 as a meeting place. Over the centuries it was remodelled several times: William Middleton altered the interior in 1762, and in 1832 Charles Mountain the Younger added the large Doric portico at the front.
The courtroom on the ground floor has a Rococo plaster ceiling by Giuseppe Cortese and was used as the town’s court until the 1810s. The magistrates’ room and the mayor’s parlour served as council chambers, and ceremonies for choosing the mayor continued here into the twentieth century. The building ceased to be the seat of town government when the East Riding of Yorkshire Council was formed in 1996.
Today it is a community museum run by East Riding Museums. Visitors can see the courtroom, a 1604 mayoral bench, civic silver including two ceremonial chains from 1423, and paintings by Fred Elwell and Mary Dawson Elwell. The Beverley Community Museum rooms hold a photo archive and changing local-history displays.
Highlights
- Georgian courtroom with a Rococo plaster ceiling by Giuseppe Cortese
- Civic silver including ceremonial chains from 1423
- Mayoral bench of 1604 in the Magistrates’ Room
- Paintings by Fred Elwell and Mary Dawson Elwell
- Beverley Community Museum with a photo archive
Permanent exhibitions
- Courtroom and civic rooms – The courtroom with its stucco ceiling, the Magistrates’ Room with a 1604 mayoral bench and the Mayor’s Parlour.
- Civic silver and Elwell paintings – Ceremonial silver, including two chains dating from 1423, and paintings by Fred and Mary Dawson Elwell.
- Beverley Community Museum – A photo archive of nearly 3,000 images and a changing space for local-history displays.
- Operated by
- East Riding of Yorkshire Council (East Riding Museums)
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Groups (7+ people) | £1.50 per personGuided group tours for 7 to 30 people, Tuesday to Friday; Saturday tours cost an extra £50. |
|---|---|
| Guided group tour (7 to 30 people, Tuesday to Friday) | £1.50Per person; booked through the Guildhall Curator. Saturday tours carry an extra £50 fee. |
Entry is free.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Disabled access is to the ground floor only. Disabled parking is nearby on Cross Street and Lord Roberts Road. Only assistance dogs are allowed on site.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
Children can dress up as a judge in the courtroom, play with replica historic toys, borrow an Explorer Kit (for under-5s) and complete the “5 Things to do” activities for a sticker.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Beverley’s train and bus stations are about a five-minute walk away.
By car
Paid parking
The nearest pay-and-display car park is on Grayburn Lane; on-street parking nearby is limited.
- Accessible parking
Amenities & dining
Toilets are available, and the museum is breastfeeding friendly.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided tours are for groups of 7 to 30 people and are arranged by calling the Guildhall Curator. |
