Fairfax House is a restored Georgian townhouse located on Castlegate in the city centre of York. This 2026 visitor guide provides practical details regarding opening hours, ticket prices, transport options, accessibility, and visitor requirements for planning a visit.
Important! Entry to Fairfax House is included within the Visit York Pass. If you’re planning to visit several attractions in Yorkshire, this can save you significant amounts of money.
Current Status: This guide was updated in February 2026 to reflect the current standard adult ticket price of £9.50 and the policy that all standard admission tickets now function as a 12-month annual pass, allowing for unlimited return visits within a year.
Quick facts for planning your visit
| Category | Details |
| Opening hours | Saturday, Monday – Thursday, 10:00 – 17:00. Sunday 10:00 – 16:00 (Closed Fridays) |
| Ticket prices | Adult: £8.50 |
| Address | Castlegate, York, YO1 9RN, United Kingdom |
| Nearest transport | 15-minute walk from York Station; Clifford’s Tower bus stops |
| Typical time needed | 60 to 90 minutes |
Fairfax House opening hours
Fairfax House is open to the public from Saturday to Thursday, between 10:00 and 17:00 (except on Sundays, when it closes at 16:00. The museum only open on Fridays for special tours at 11:00, 12:00 and 14:30. Last admission to the house is permitted at 16:15.
The house occasionally closes for private events or during January for annual deep cleaning.
Five great things to do while you’re in York
- 🧭 Discover York’s highlights on a small group walking tour.
- ⛵ Drift along the Ouse on an evening happy hour boat cruise.
- 👻 Delve into ghosts and gruesome history on the Shadows of York tour.
- 🏞️ Take a day trip to the North York Moors and Whitby.
- 🍫 Make your own chocolate bar at York Cocoa House.
Fairfax House ticket prices
Standard admission for Fairfax House is £8.50 for adults and £7.50 for concessions (seniors 65+ and students with a valid ID). Children aged 16 and under are admitted free of charge when accompanied by an adult. Tickets can be purchased at the entrance desk using card or contactless payment
The Friday tours cost £9.50 for adults and £8.50 for concessions.
This attraction is included in the Visit York Pass. Other major York attractions included in the Visit York Pass scheme are:
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in February 2026.
Why book the Visit York Pass?
- 🎟️ Access to 40+ Top Attractions: Enjoy entry to York’s most iconic sites, including York Minster, JORVIK Viking Centre, York Castle Museum, and Clifford’s Tower.
- 💰 Significant Cost Savings: Save a substantial amount on admission fees compared to purchasing individual tickets at each attraction gate.
- 🚢 River Cruise or Bus Tour: Includes a choice between a scenic City Cruise on the River Ouse or a 24-hour hop-on hop-off bus ticket to navigate the city with ease.
- 📱 Instant Digital Delivery: No need for paper vouchers; receive your pass instantly on your smartphone for a seamless, contactless entry experience.
- ⏱️ Tailored to Your Trip: Choose from 1, 2, 3, or 6-day options, providing the flexibility to explore York’s medieval streets and Viking history at your own pace.
How to get to Fairfax House
To reach Fairfax House, visitors can walk approximately 15 minutes from York Railway Station by following the signs for the city centre and the Castle Area. The house is situated on Castlegate, a short distance from the Coppergate Shopping Centre.
Several local bus services stop at Piccadilly or Tower Street (Clifford’s Tower), both of which are within a three-minute walk of the museum entrance. The museum is located in a pedestrian-friendly zone with clear signage from the main shopping streets.
Parking at Fairfax House
There is no dedicated visitor parking on-site at Fairfax House. The nearest public car park is the Castle Car Park (YO1 9SA), which is located immediately adjacent to the museum. This car park includes several designated spaces for Blue Badge holders.
Alternative parking is available at the Coppergate Centre Car Park (YO1 9WY). Given the high traffic volumes and pedestrianisation of York city centre, visitors are encouraged to use the city’s Park & Ride services, which provide direct bus links from the outskirts to the city centre.
How long to spend at Fairfax House
A typical visit to Fairfax House lasts between 60 and 90 minutes. This allows for a self-guided tour of the main Georgian rooms and time to view the temporary exhibitions usually held on the upper floors.
Visitors with a specific interest in 18th-century decorative arts or furniture may wish to allow up to two hours for a more detailed examination of the collections.
Accessibility at Fairfax House
Fairfax House is partially accessible to visitors with mobility impairments. The ground floor, which includes the entrance hall, dining room, and kitchen, is accessible via a level entrance.
However, the upper floors, containing the Drawing Room and main bedrooms, are only accessible via a grand staircase. There is no lift in this historic Grade I listed building. A digital virtual tour is available on the ground floor for those unable to navigate the stairs. Accessible toilets are not available within the house itself, but public accessible toilets are located nearby at the Castle Car Park.
Inside Fairfax House
The interior of the house is a primary example of mid-18th-century architecture and design, originally intended as a winter home for Viscount Fairfax. The house features highly ornate stucco ceilings designed by the Italian craftsman Giuseppe Cortese and carved woodwork throughout the principal rooms.
The house contains the Noel Terry Collection, which is regarded as one of the most significant private collections of 18th-century English furniture, clocks, and barometers. The Dining Room is a highlight, frequently laid out with period-appropriate table settings and silver.
The Drawing Room and Library display the lifestyle of the Georgian gentry, with original fireplaces and period wallpapers. The Kitchen, located on the ground floor, provides a contrast to the upper rooms, showing the functional side of a high-status Georgian household.
The museum also hosts a revolving programme of temporary exhibitions on the second floor, which focus on specific aspects of 18th-century social history, fashion, or art.
Practical visitor tips
| Topic | Recommendation |
| Payment | Carry a debit or credit card, as the museum operates a cashless admissions desk. |
| Photography | Photography is permitted for personal use, provided no flash, tripods, or selfie sticks are used. |
| Bags | Store large backpacks and suitcases elsewhere, as there are no secure locker facilities on-site. |
| Annual Pass | Retain your ticket after your first visit to use it for free return entry for the next 12 months. |
| Guidance | Use the printed room guides or speak to the room stewards to learn about the history of the objects. |
Frequently asked questions about Fairfax House
| Question | Answer |
| Is Fairfax House suitable for children? | Yes, the house offers themed trails and activities designed to engage younger visitors. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Fairfax House? | Advance booking is recommended during peak periods, though walk-in tickets are usually available. |
| Is Fairfax House open on Sundays? | Yes, the house is open every Sunday from 10:00 to 16:00. |
| Are dogs allowed at Fairfax House? | No, only registered assistance dogs are permitted inside the museum. |
Things to do near Fairfax House
The following attractions are located within a five-minute walk of Fairfax House:
- Jorvik Viking Centre: A world-famous archaeological museum located in the Coppergate Centre.
- York Castle Museum: A museum of social history located directly opposite the house.
- Clifford’s Tower: The historic keep of York Castle, offering panoramic views of the city.
- The Shambles: York’s most famous medieval street, located a short walk away.
More Yorkshire travel
Other Yorkshire travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Do I need to book York Dungeon tickets in advance?
- The National Railway Museum in York: A parking guide.
- Guide to visiting Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal.
- Practical visitor guide to Rievaulx Abbey near Helmsley.
- What to see and do at Helmsley Castle.
