Bar Convent
A unique, peaceful retreat in York offering comfortable accommodation and a fascinating living history museum.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Quieter for exploring exhibits
Bar Convent
Best Time
Quieter for exploring exhibits
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A unique, peaceful retreat in York offering comfortable accommodation and a fascinating living history museum.
"A unique gem of a place, offering serenity and history just minutes from the station and city centre."
🎯 Prime Location
Just a 5-min walk from the train station and 50m from the city wall. Perfect for exploring York! :city_sunrise:
☕ Cozy Amenities
Enjoy thoughtful touches like shortbread biscuits, cotton blankets, and air conditioning. 🍪
Quick Facts
Hours
Rating
4.7 · 907 reviews
Type
Bed & Breakfast
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Living Museum
Explore centuries of UK and York history, the Reformation, and the lives of dedicated women. A truly captivating experience.
Peaceful Garden
A serene oasis to relax with a pot of tea after a day of exploring York's historic streets.
Elegant Dining Atrium
Enjoy a delicious breakfast under a beautiful glass ceiling with lovely tile floors. A delightful start to your day.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Book Ahead for Breakfast
Embrace the History
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Prime Location
Just a 5-min walk from the train station and 50m from the city wall. Perfect for exploring York! :city_sunrise:
☕ Cozy Amenities
Enjoy thoughtful touches like shortbread biscuits, cotton blankets, and air conditioning. 🍪
🍽️ Breakfast Booking
Book the full cooked breakfast directly for an excellent meal in a delightful dining area. 🥐
💧 Shower Pressure
Some guests noted low water pressure in showers and sinks. Be prepared for a gentle flow. :droplet:
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Prime Location
Just a 5-min walk from the train station and 50m from the city wall. Perfect for exploring York! :city_sunrise:
☕ Cozy Amenities
Enjoy thoughtful touches like shortbread biscuits, cotton blankets, and air conditioning. 🍪
🍽️ Breakfast Booking
Book the full cooked breakfast directly for an excellent meal in a delightful dining area. 🥐
💧 Shower Pressure
Some guests noted low water pressure in showers and sinks. Be prepared for a gentle flow. :droplet:
🧺 Kitchen & Laundry
Convenient kitchen with laundry facilities available for guests. Great for longer stays. :washing_machine:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Guests rave about the Bar Convent's exceptional value, prime location near the train station and city walls, and the peaceful, clean accommodations. The fascinating historical exhibition and the delightful breakfast in the atrium are consistently highlighted as major positives, making it a unique and highly recommended stay in York.
"I had one night at the Bar Convent and absolutely loved it. It was in a terrific location, 5 minutes walk from the train station and 50m from the city wall. It was excellent value for a solo traveller, with a spotlessly clean, spacious bed on the top floor. Little niceties, such as decent shortbread biscuits to have with a cuppa, a cotton blanket and air conditioning (reverse cycle) for the warmer nights. And quiet.
Book directly for the full cooked breakfast (I didn't but the continental breakfast was great, with a range of things to have). The dining area is delightful. And the staff are so lovely.
And it is a living museum. The exhibition is worth seeing, even for a non-religious person like me. So much fascinating history relating to the UK, York, the Reformation, the various kings and noblemen, and the brave and selfless women.
Excellent value and a great place to stay."
Tana McMullen
"This was the perfect accommodation for exploring York—walking distance to train station and town center, very clean and appealingly simple room with generous modern bathroom, delicious breakfast in beautiful glass ceiling atrium with lovely tile floors, quiet location with easy access to good restaurants. I was completely delighted by this experience and greatly enjoyed learning about the fascinating history of the convent."
Sarah Gridley
"Clean, restful, and quiet environment for a good night's sleep.
Helpful, kind hotel staff.
Yummy fresh food with wide selection.
Felt seen, cared for and pampered before and after our long walks and excursions sightseeing in York!
Fully recommend.
Gave 4 stars for room due to low water pressure in shower and at sink for entire stay."
Suzanne Tang
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Bar Convent is incredibly convenient, located just a 5-minute walk from York train station. Simply head out of the station and it's a short stroll away, making it an ideal base for exploring the city.
Information regarding specific parking availability at the Bar Convent is not widely detailed, but its proximity to the train station suggests public transport is the most convenient option for visitors.
Absolutely! The Bar Convent boasts a terrific location, being only a few minutes' walk from the heart of York city center, allowing for easy access to attractions and amenities.
While the historic nature of the building may present some challenges, the reviews highlight a generally positive experience. It's advisable to contact the convent directly for specific accessibility details.
If arriving by car, it's recommended to research local car parks near the city center as on-site parking may be limited due to its central location. The convent's proximity to the train station makes public transport a strong alternative.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Yes, booking accommodation in advance is highly recommended, especially if you wish to secure a spot for the full cooked breakfast, which is often best booked directly when reserving your room.
The exhibition at the Bar Convent is a key attraction. While specific hours can vary, it's generally open for visitors to explore the fascinating history housed within its walls. Checking their official website for the most current times is advised.
The Bar Convent is described as a living museum, and its exhibition is worth seeing. While not explicitly stated, it's common for such historical sites to have an admission fee for non-guests. It's best to confirm this directly with the convent.
Yes, the exhibition is highlighted as being worth seeing even if you are not staying at the convent. This makes it a great option for a cultural visit during your time in York.
Information on specific discounts for the Bar Convent exhibition is not readily available in reviews. It's advisable to inquire directly with the convent about potential concessions for students, seniors, or group visits.
🎫 🛏️ Onsite Experience
Rooms are described as spotlessly clean, spacious, and appealingly simple, often featuring generous modern bathrooms. Guests have appreciated niceties like air conditioning and quiet environments for a good night's sleep.
A continental breakfast is typically available and is described as great, with a good range of options. For a full cooked breakfast, it's recommended to book this directly when making your accommodation reservation.
Guests can enjoy a delightful dining area for breakfast, a peaceful garden for relaxation, and a convenient kitchen with laundry facilities. Some rooms also feature air conditioning for comfort.
Yes, multiple reviews emphasize the quiet and restful environment at the Bar Convent, making it an ideal place for a good night's sleep after a day of sightseeing in York.
The Bar Convent offers a unique atmosphere of serenity and peace. It's a living museum with fascinating history, combined with the comfort and hospitality of a welcoming accommodation.
📸 📸 Photography
Yes, the Bar Convent offers several picturesque spots. The elegant dining atrium with its glass ceiling and tile floors, the peaceful garden, and the historic architecture of the building itself provide excellent photo opportunities.
For the dining atrium, morning light would be ideal to capture the beauty of the glass ceiling. The garden would be lovely in the afternoon light. Exploring the exhibition may also yield interesting visual details.
Photography rules within historical exhibitions can vary. It's best to check for any signage or ask staff at the Bar Convent if photography is permitted inside the exhibition areas to avoid any issues.
The beautiful glass-ceilinged dining atrium is a standout feature. The historic architecture of the convent itself, along with the tranquil garden, also offers compelling visual elements for photographers.
The Bar Convent lends itself well to architectural photography, interior shots of the dining area and garden, and potentially documentary-style photography within the exhibition spaces, capturing its historical significance.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit