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