“A unique guesthouse in an elegant living convent. Newly refurbished comfortable rooms, a baroque chapel, Victorian garden and a glass-roofed entrance hall make this an impressive building. A cafe serves meals until high tea. Best of all is staying amongst the sisters of the convent.”

Hotel review

Here’s a novel way to save money on a night’s accommodation in York: stay at the Bar Convent, England's oldest living convent, established in 1686. Behind an elegant Georgian façade you'll find a beautiful chapel, a museum and self catering and ensuite accommodation, plus a café, kitchen, laundry facilities, sitting rooms with TV and wifi internet access. The Bar Convent is ocated 5 mins from York station and just outside the city walls

Hugh Graham-Watson
Hugh Graham-Watson Review published: 25/10/2024

Recommended for

  • Total relaxation

    • Unwind in this tranquil convent, enjoy afternoon tea in the walled garden and read up on the town's history in the library
  • Quirky

    • The living convent is open to guests, which means guests can explore the lovely gold and white Baroque chapel
  • Local exploring

    • York has a huge amount of history (starting at the hotel itself) making this ideal for a cultural getaway
  • Historic

    • This is England's oldest convent founded in 1686
  • Museums

    • Make an excursion to the Richard III Museum, the National Railway Museum or the Castle Museum
  • Sights nearby

    • Visit the nearby York Minster, one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Europe
  • Hotel Entertainment

    • Discover three hundred years of history at the Bar Convent Exhibition
  • Restaurant

    • Cafe open for breakfast, lunch and high tea
  • Traditional

  • Full of character

  • Less £

  • Disabled access

  • Child friendly

  • Boutique

  • B&B

Facilities

  • Rooms

    19 rooms in this hotel
  • Restaurant

    Cafe open for breakfast, lunch and high tea
  • No pets

  • Meeting Room

  • Wifi

  • Disabled access

  • Child friendly

  • Garden

Activities

  • Museums

    • Make an excursion to the Richard III Museum, the National Railway Museum or the Castle Museum
  • Sights nearby

    • Visit the nearby York Minster, one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Europe
  • Hotel Entertainment

    • Discover three hundred years of history at the Bar Convent Exhibition

Map & Location

Other reviews

The Bar Convent York, Yorkshire, England

"There’s an all-day café, an oasis of a garden, the chapel to visit whenever you like, a shop and superbly-designed exhibition, detailing the history of the convent and the life of its remarkable founder Mary Ward."

Originally published by The Telegraph

Bar Convent

Originally published by The Good Hotel Guide

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