EVENT

In 2022 York Unlocked opened 60 sites to around 14,000 visitors.  This year the Bar Convent Living Heritage Centre welcomes everyone to explore how the clever architecture of our house helped to hide an illegal convent for nearly 150 years, without ever being uncovered by the authorities.

Discover how Catholics incorporated hiding holes into the framework of buildings and the innovative techniques used by the sisters to disguise the convent’s true purpose. See an authentic 17^th century hiding hole, experience a raid for yourself in our interactive exhibition and book an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the secret chapel’s cunning construction in 1769.

This weekend highlights the brand new display of the Oldcorne Cross, the personal crucifix belonging to Fr Edward Oldcorne, a Yorkshire priest who spent over a week in hiding before being captured and executed in the wake of the Gunpowder Plot. This is now known to be the only object to have survived from the thousands seized and destroyed by the Government in 1605 and 1606.

Saturday and Sunday (please note: the café is closed on Sunday, last admissions are 4pm. There will be a charge for the exhibition only.)

For more information and to book your tour please go to the York Unlocked website