An 18th century winter residence of Viscount Fairfax with the interiors created by the leading York architect John Carr. This is considered to be the finest example of a Georgian town house in England. Rooms are fully furnished with interiors of the period, including dining tables set out with replica meals, for instance.

After a twentieth century spell as a dance hall, then cinema, followed by a time of pure neglect, it was bought by the York Civic Trust and restored to its former glory, recreating an aristocratic Georgian lifestyle.

(If you are interested in architectural aspects this video gives an overview, from the point of view of the Civic Trust.)

Much of the furniture and a good number of the other items in the house come from the collection of Noel Terry, a scion of the eponymous York chocolate company. The painstaking attention to detail helps to convey a feel for life in a wealthy 18th century home.