Fairfax House, York
Fairfax House, a splendid Georgian townhouse located on Castlegate in York, stands as a testament to the architectural and social history of the 18th century. Constructed in the early 1740s, initially for a local merchant, the property was acquired in 1759 by Charles Gregory Fairfax, the 9th Viscount Fairfax of Emley. Following the death of his wealthy wife, Elizabeth Clifford, Fairfax used his inheritance to purchase the house, intending it as a residence for his daughter, Ann Fairfax.
The house underwent significant renovations under the guidance of John Carr, a renowned architect, who was commissioned by Viscount Fairfax in 1761 to remodel the interiors. Completed in 1765, these renovations introduced exquisite plasterwork by James Henderson and Giuseppe Cortese and detailed carved woodwork. The house also featured impressive wrought iron balustrades and gates crafted by Maurice Tobin, although these were later removed during street widening.
Over the centuries, Fairfax House had various incarnations – from a gentleman's club to a cinema named Saint George's Hall. By the mid-20th century, the building had fallen into disrepair. It was not until the 1980s that the York Civic Trust purchased and meticulously restored it to its former grandeur.
Today, Fairfax House operates as a public museum, managed by the York Civic Trust. It is celebrated not only for its architectural beauty but also for housing a growing collection of Georgian artifacts, including a Grinling Gibbons panel and a recently acquired portrait of Elizabeth Clifford. The museum is dedicated to the exploration and exhibition of Georgian life, offering a variety of exhibitions, live performances, and audio-visual displays that highlight 18th-century British culture.
Why You Should Visit:
To get a feel for what it was like to live as an aristocrat in a Georgian home. Better than visiting a castle or a palace, as you can get very close to all of the displays – no velvet ropes here!
Friendly volunteers are stationed throughout the house offering an excellent level of historical detail and their color commentary, complete with pithy British humor.
Tip:
If available on a Monday, make sure you catch one of the tours as it will make your visit more personal, with less external chatter from other guests.
Remember to look up at the ceilings. They also have a gift shop which is well stocked with unusual gifts and interesting in its own right.
The house underwent significant renovations under the guidance of John Carr, a renowned architect, who was commissioned by Viscount Fairfax in 1761 to remodel the interiors. Completed in 1765, these renovations introduced exquisite plasterwork by James Henderson and Giuseppe Cortese and detailed carved woodwork. The house also featured impressive wrought iron balustrades and gates crafted by Maurice Tobin, although these were later removed during street widening.
Over the centuries, Fairfax House had various incarnations – from a gentleman's club to a cinema named Saint George's Hall. By the mid-20th century, the building had fallen into disrepair. It was not until the 1980s that the York Civic Trust purchased and meticulously restored it to its former grandeur.
Today, Fairfax House operates as a public museum, managed by the York Civic Trust. It is celebrated not only for its architectural beauty but also for housing a growing collection of Georgian artifacts, including a Grinling Gibbons panel and a recently acquired portrait of Elizabeth Clifford. The museum is dedicated to the exploration and exhibition of Georgian life, offering a variety of exhibitions, live performances, and audio-visual displays that highlight 18th-century British culture.
Why You Should Visit:
To get a feel for what it was like to live as an aristocrat in a Georgian home. Better than visiting a castle or a palace, as you can get very close to all of the displays – no velvet ropes here!
Friendly volunteers are stationed throughout the house offering an excellent level of historical detail and their color commentary, complete with pithy British humor.
Tip:
If available on a Monday, make sure you catch one of the tours as it will make your visit more personal, with less external chatter from other guests.
Remember to look up at the ceilings. They also have a gift shop which is well stocked with unusual gifts and interesting in its own right.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in York. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Fairfax House on Map
Sight Name: Fairfax House
Sight Location: York, England (See walking tours in York)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: York, England (See walking tours in York)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in York, England
Create Your Own Walk in York
Creating your own self-guided walk in York is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
York's Historical Pubs Tour
Yorkshire is a haven for real ale enthusiasts and York does live up to this reputation. Many of local pubs are as old as churches, having served their clients for centuries.
There's a plethora of historic pubs in the heart of York, offering an array of quality cask ales alongside a menu of hearty British food, served in a cozy, traditional atmosphere. Low ceilings, wonky floors and open... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
There's a plethora of historic pubs in the heart of York, offering an array of quality cask ales alongside a menu of hearty British food, served in a cozy, traditional atmosphere. Low ceilings, wonky floors and open... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
York City Wall Tour
Known variously as the York City Walls, Bar Walls, or the Roman Walls (although very little of the extant stonework has remained since Roman times) are the historic monument encircling the Old Town of York.
The surviving portion of the town wall – 3.4km (2 miles) – is longer than anywhere else in England. Built mostly in the 13th century (of magnesian limestone, and set upon earthen... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
The surviving portion of the town wall – 3.4km (2 miles) – is longer than anywhere else in England. Built mostly in the 13th century (of magnesian limestone, and set upon earthen... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
York's Historical Architecture
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
York's Old Town
A vibrant city with Roman roots and a Viking past, York has played a central role throughout much of England‘s history. Despite its small size, Old Town York boasts a wealth of colorful heritage that draws tourists in droves from all over the world.
The maze of historic streets – too narrow for vehicles, and therefore solely pedestrian – are packed with attractions fairly close to one... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
The maze of historic streets – too narrow for vehicles, and therefore solely pedestrian – are packed with attractions fairly close to one... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
York Introduction Walking Tour
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles