Colour At The Convent
Saturday 23 - Saturday 30 May 2026
The Bar Convent
Take inspiration from the craftsmanship and intricate detail within the collections on display to create your own artwork. This mindful museum experience invites all ages and abilities to find an object that captures the imagination and draw.
Enter your drawing into a competition for the chance to win a £20 voucher for the café and the opportunity to have your work displayed in the exhibition.
Included in admission to the exhibition. 10am-5pm (last admission 4pm), closed Sundays.
The Gunpowder Plot: York's Untold Story
16 September - 5 December 2026
The Bar Convent
Context. Conspiracy. Consequence.
Experience a unique retelling of one of the most dramatic events in British history- in the city where it all began.
Set against the turbulent backdrop of post- reformation York, The Gunpowder Plot: York’s Untold Story takes visitors beyond the legend of Guy Fawkes to explore the events surrounding 5th November 1605.
Not only does the exhibition take place in the city that many key figures called home, but the story is brought to life within the walls of the Bar Convent, established in the shadows of the plot when the Catholic faith was still illegal.
On display are incredible artefacts including the poignant cross of Edward Oldcorne who was hanged, drawn and quartered in the aftermath of the plot alongside items linked to Margaret Clitherow, whose brutal death is said to have been a pivotal catalyst for the plotters.
Through rare objects, brand-new interpretation and human storytelling, discover how the plot echoed across the country, left its mark on York, and shaped the lives of the courageous women who founded this remarkable house in its wake.
The exhibition will be accompanied by a programme of special events and a new citywide trail.
barconvent.co.uk 
