Venue

York

Nestled in the north of England, York is a city where 2,000 years of history are compressed into a beautifully walkable, vibrant center. Founded by the Romans in 71 AD as Eboracum, it later became the Viking capital of Jórvík, and both eras have left an indelible stamp on its character.

The city is dominated by the majestic York Minster, one of the largest and most breathtaking Gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe. Radiating out from the Minster is a web of medieval streets, most famously The Shambles—a narrow, overhanging timber-framed lane that feels like stepping directly into a storybook. Circling the heart of York are its remarkably preserved 13th-century stone walls, offering a scenic two-mile elevated walk with unmatched views of the rooftops and gardens below.

York Guildhall

The Workshop venue will be at the impressive York Guildhall. Located in the centre of York, behind the Mansion House, this Grade I listed building was constructed as a meeting place for the City's guilds between 1449 and 1459. King Richard III was entertained in the building in 1483, and was also the place where a ransom of £200,000 was counted before being given to the Scots in payment for the release of Charles I in 1647 during the English Civil War, and where Prince Albert, the Prince Consort to Queen Victoria was a guest of honour at a royal banquet in the building in October 1850. At the north end of the Guildhall was a stained-glass window painted by Henry Gyles in about 1682.

In 1811 a building, designed by Peter Atkinson the younger as a council chamber, was erected to the south of the original hall (this is now known as "the Atkinson Room"). In 1891, another building, designed by Enoch Mawbey, the city surveyor, accommodating a larger council chamber, was built to the north of the original hall (this building is now known as "the Municipal Offices").

The interior of the original building, including the stained-glass window, was destroyed during a Baedeker raid in 1942. After the war the Guildhall was rebuilt and a new stained-glass window, depicting five aspects of the city's history (architecture, war, civic affairs, commercial trade and religious education), was designed and installed by Harry Harvey of York. The complex was re-opened by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother in 1960.

Throughout the 20th century meetings of the City of York Council were held in the Guildhall; however, in Autumn 2017, when a programme of restoration work began at the Guildhall, temporary arrangements were put in place for the council to meet in the former Salvation Army Citadel on Gillygate. The renovation, which cost £21 million and was carried out to remedy serious structural issues, was completed in 2022 and the building was subsequently leased to the University of York, as a centre for start-up businesses and events. (adapted from Wikipedia)

Beyond its ancient stones, modern York is a thriving cultural hub. It boasts a rich culinary scene, independent boutiques, and world-class museums like the National Railway Museum and the JORVIK Viking Centre. Other top attractions in York, including: York Castle Museum, Clifford’s Tower, York’s Chocolate Story, The York Dungeon, and Bettys Tea rooms. Seamlessly blending its deep historical roots with a lively, contemporary atmosphere, York remains one of the UK’s most enchanting and timeless destinations.

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