Fairfax House York

Fairfax House York

Fairfax House in York dating back to the 1740's, is one of the city’s finest example of a Georgian period houses. Its name is taken from Viscount Fairfax who acquired the house in 1759 for the family to stay at during the winter months as at that time, York became a social capital with many balls and social events.He also bought it on behalf of his only surviving daughter to dwell in.

Once he acquired the house he commissioned York’s prolific architect, John Carr to redesign the interior of the house in a much more romantic style. He brought in local carpenters, iron mongers and joiners of the highest calibre to bring about the new design which resulted in some of the most breath taking decorative pieces including the wonderful Great Staircase and Venetian Window as well as the most decorative ceilings of that time.

Following the death of the Viscount, the house passed through numerous private households up until the late nineteenth century, when it was transferred into a gentlemen’s clubroom. During the First World War it was used for military purposes and then in 1919 it was transformed into a dancehall and cinema and renamed 'St. Georges' Half a decade later and the much used dancehall was beginning to suffer greatly and was becoming disused.

At that point in 1982 the York Civic Trust began a great restoration of the house to bring back to its former glory as it originally was in the time of Viscount Fairfax.Today it is open to the public where you can experience the great collections of period furniture, silverware and ceramics.

Fairfax House
Castlegate
York
YO1 9RN
UK
Tel 01904 655543