Cities
United Kingdom York North Yorkshire Museum

Fairfax House

About

Fairfax House in York is one of England’s finest Georgian townhouses, built between 1759 and 1763 as the winter home of Viscount Charles Gregory Fairfax and his daughter Anne. Designed by acclaimed architect John Carr, it boasts exquisite stucco ceilings, a grand staircase with a Venetian window, and richly decorated interiors that reflect the elegance of 18th‑century city living. Over the centuries, the house served as a private residence, a gentlemen’s club, and later a cinema and dance hall, before falling into decline. In the 1980s, York Civic Trust undertook a meticulous restoration, returning the building to its Georgian splendour and creating a fitting home for the Noel Terry Collection of fine English furniture and clocks. Now owned by York Conservation Trust, Fairfax House offers visitors an immersive glimpse into the tastes, fashions, and domestic life of York’s Georgian elite, standing as a testament to the city’s architectural heritage and the dedication to its preservation.

York United Kingdom
Fairfax House
Location

Fairfax House is located on Castlegate, York, YO1 9RN, right in the city centre opposite Clifford’s Tower and near the Hilton Hotel. It is just a short walk from key York attractions including the Jorvik Viking Centre, York Castle Museum, and the Coppergate Shopping Centre. The historic house is set within the vibrant heritage quarter and is easily accessible from York Railway Station and local transport. Nearby are the medieval city walls, the Shambles, independent shops, cafés, and restaurants, all contributing to an enriching visitor experience in the heart of York’s cultural scene.

York Castle Museum York Castle Museum Museum Jorvik Viking Centre Jorvik Viking Centre Museum Yorkshire Museum Yorkshire Museum Museum National Railway Museum National Railway Museum Museum York Art Gallery York Art Gallery Gallery Richard III Experience at Monk Bar Richard III Experience at Monk Bar Museum Henry VII Experience at Micklegate Bar Henry VII Experience at Micklegate Bar Museum Merchant Adventurers’ Hall Merchant Adventurers’ Hall Museum York Theatre Royal York Theatre Royal Theatre Grand Opera House York Grand Opera House York Theatre Joseph Rowntree Theatre Joseph Rowntree Theatre Theatre Friargate Theatre Friargate Theatre Theatre According to McGee Gallery According to McGee Gallery Gallery Blue Tree Gallery Blue Tree Gallery Gallery Art of Protest Gallery Art of Protest Gallery Gallery The Pyramid Gallery The Pyramid Gallery Gallery Clifford’s Tower Clifford’s Tower Historical Landmark York City Walls York City Walls Historical Landmark Micklegate Bar Micklegate Bar Historical Landmark Bootham Bar Bootham Bar Historical Landmark Walmgate Bar Walmgate Bar Historical Landmark York Minster York Minster Cathedral St Michael le Belfrey Church St Michael le Belfrey Church Church Holy Trinity Church Holy Trinity Church Church St Martin le Grand Church St Martin le Grand Church Church St Denys’s Church St Denys’s Church Church Shambles Shambles Street Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate Street Shambles Market Shambles Market Market Multangular Tower Multangular Tower Historical Landmark St Mary’s Abbey St Mary’s Abbey Abbey York Observatory York Observatory Observatory Roman Column Roman Column Historical Landmark Constantine the Great Statue Constantine the Great Statue Memorial Treasurer’s House Treasurer’s House Historical Landmark The Mansion House The Mansion House Tourist attractions Museum Gardens Museum Gardens Park Rowntree Park Rowntree Park Park Homestead Park Homestead Park Park Dean’s Park Dean’s Park Park