The Folk Hall is a thriving community venue in the village of New Earswick, York. Opened by Joseph Rowntree in 1907, the Folk Hall, which is a Grade II listed building, was given as a gift to the people of the village as “a place for meeting”.
Under the care of JRHT, the building is fully accessible and wonderfully light, with bright spaces for everyone to enjoy, from cosy corners for casual catch-ups to hiring the perfect place for professional meetings and events.
The Folk Hall has an impressive range of services, with a Post Office, Explore Library and a fantastic café on the ground floor. Many elements of the beautiful, historic building have been refurbished and refreshed, with spaces opened up to create a light and spacious interior while respecting its Arts and Crafts design features.
The beamed ceiling in the large hall, now called Orchard Hall, has been uncovered, making the room much more light and open. Just down from the Orchard Hall is the Discovery Room, a community space for people in New Earswick.
Upstairs you’ll discover a number of meeting rooms that you can book, a computer room and a quieter space for reading and relaxation. There are a number of break-out spaces across the mezzanine floor that can be booked for larger gatherings or used by the general public.
Fully accessible
We are a fully accessible venue, with a platform lift providing access to the upper rooms, Changing Places facilities, and ramps at all the entrances. We have hearing loops available for all the spaces within the building, and our café has a range of accessible menus.
We have a host of regular and one-off events running at the Folk Hall for our local and wider community to enjoy, from art and exercise classes to comedy and film nights. The Folk Hall also makes a unique venue to hire for your big event, show or conference.
Explore the pages below and see what this special venue has to offer.
What’s On
From regular favourites to unique one-offs, the Folk Hall offers something for everyone, welcoming both local residents and visitors alike. We also host a programme of larger community celebrations and special events, which you can discover here.
News
Keep up with life at the Folk Hall through our regular blogs, filled with news, stories and updates. You can also connect with us on social media to stay right up to date with what’s going on.
Café and Catering
Our café is open 9am–3pm Monday to Friday and 9am–1.30pm on Saturdays. Stop by for a coffee and homemade scone, or settle in and enjoy a selection of fresh, locally made dishes, including breakfasts, light lunches and afternoon treats; with vegetarian and gluten-free options always available.
Room Hire
From small meeting rooms to large event spaces, the Folk Hall offers flexible, well-equipped venues for groups of 2 to 150. Whether it’s a one-to-one session, a corporate meeting or a celebration in our hall with stage and bar, we can help bring your plans to life. Contact us to book your next event
Post Office
Located in the main foyer, the New Earswick Post Office is open 9am–5pm Monday to Friday and 9am–1.30pm on Saturdays. It offers a variety of services, from everyday banking to international postage and travel money cards, with photocopying facilities available at reception and in the library.
Library
You’ll find New Earswick Explore Library within the Folk Hall, with a wide range of books, public access computers and convenient self-service facilities. Visit the Explore website for opening hours and further information, and use self-service issue and return located near reception during general opening times.