Our second rather special building in Beverley that we hadn't visited before was the Youth Hostel, andit has far older origins than the theatre shown in yesterday's post.
The variety of material used in its construction gives a clue to its age. A Dominican priory was first established in Beverley around 1240. The Dominican order were given an area of land close to Beverley Minster by the Archbishop of York who was the lord of Beverley. On this site the Dominican friars built their first priory; probably of timber until the cost of stone could be afforded.
As the community flourished and money became available, the priory was extended and in the early 14th century an extension to the south-west of the cloister saw the construction of a building to accommodate guests was built and it is the foundations of this building that provide the footings for the present day buildings.
By the end of the 14th century the priory was at its maximum extent and the next 150 years saw a gradual decline in the community and a contraction in the use of the buildings.
In 1539 the Dissolution of the Monasteries led to the expulsion of the friars and much of the priory wrecked.
In the following centuries this building had many owners and uses. In the 19th century a railway was built through the part of the priory site to the east.
In the 1960s there was a plan to demolish the building, and its destruction almost happened. However, it passed into the ownership of the council, and restoration began.
From 1984 the building has housed a youth hostel. It has some beautiful rooms. The lower shot shows the great hall with its impressive roof, wood panelled wall on the left and 16th century wall painting on the right. Other parts of the building include carved stones and there is a badly eroded statue under a shelter by the entrance. It was a beautiful building to explore, and must be one of the more unusual youth hostels.
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
Sadly, by the time we got to the youth hostel, the day had turned rather dark, with heavy rain, so the photos don't really show the building at its best - still, perhaps a good excuse for another visit next September if it is part of the Heritage Open Days then!
There is some modernisation, with a new roof being essential to protect the interior, and some new windows. The stonework and brickwork are old - the bricks are longer and narrower than modern bricks and typical of early bricks.
Ian
September 18th, 2024
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Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
Sadly, by the time we got to the youth hostel, the day had turned rather dark, with heavy rain, so the photos don't really show the building at its best - still, perhaps a good excuse for another visit next September if it is part of the Heritage Open Days then!
Ian
There is some modernisation, with a new roof being essential to protect the interior, and some new windows. The stonework and brickwork are old - the bricks are longer and narrower than modern bricks and typical of early bricks.
Ian