The Bar Convent Guest House York Exterior photo

The Bar Convent Guest House York Room photo

Key details

About the Hotel

17 Blossom Street, York, YO24 1AQ

Next to York's historic walls

Perfect

9.0

/10

5.0

4.8

"The building is beautiful, interesting, and extremely well looked after and I can recommend anyone staying here."

Barbara H from United Kingdom

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"The gardens were a fantastic addition, especially to sit in and enjoy a coffee from the in-house cafe."

Ellie from United Kingdom

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"The breakfast, which was a cooked meal, was free because I booked direct with the guest house."

CardLady09 from United Kingdom

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4-star heritage guest house in York's oldest living convent

Unique Heritage Experience

The Bar Convent Guest House is situated within the UK's oldest living convent, offering visitors a chance to stay in a historic environment. The site includes a fascinating exhibition that highlights the legacy of Mary Ward and the pioneering efforts for girls' education. Guests can explore the stunning 18th Century Hidden Chapel, a rare artifact that has survived various historical regimes.

Accommodations

The guest house offers recently refurbished rooms, many of which are newly decorated. Each room provides a comfortable and welcoming space for visitors. Guests booking directly can receive the award-winning cooked breakfast as part of their stay.

Culinary Options

On-site dining is available through the café, which is renowned for providing some of the best scones and cakes in York. The café serves a fresh daily selection of homemade soup and sandwiches. Guests can also enjoy meals in the peaceful garden setting.

Location

The Bar Convent is strategically located just a short walk from York Railway Station and Micklegate Bar, offering easy access to the city's historical sites. It is within a ten-minute walk of the city center, making it convenient for exploring local attractions. This prime location allows guests to immerse themselves in York's history with ease.

Event and Meeting Facilities

The heritage building offers various meeting rooms suitable for conferences, events, and group tours. Each room is equipped with presentation facilities and in-house catering from the café. This combination of heritage and modern amenities creates an appealing venue for business gatherings.

Highlights

Heritage: UK's oldest living convent

Dining: award-winning café

Location: just a short walk from York Railway Station

Events: meeting rooms with presentation facilities

Location: Perfect

9.6/10Review score

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Highlights from guests

DiningBreakfast is legendary

Breakfast features home-made muesli, a free buffet with plentiful choices, and hot dishes cooked to order in the pretty courtyard cafe.

Oliver from Canada

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Room FeaturesQuirky spaciousness

Some rooms offer a unique layout: toilet and sink to one side, shower and sink to the other, and a short stairway to the bed area.

Mei from China

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Guest ParkingStress-free Parking

The welcome pack has all the info needed to easily sort parking at the nearby car park, without even leaving the room.

Rajesh from India

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BathroomModern fittings

Bathrooms appear new with high-end fittings, good quality, generously sized towels and lots of hot water and toiletries.

Isabelle from France

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Select your room type

The hotel provides a selection of rooms—doubles, family rooms, and suites—with perks like free cancellation, breakfast options, and great value deals

Single Room
2 persons
100 sq. feet
1 Single bed
Heating
Shower
room details
Double Room
2 persons
155 sq. feet
1 Double bed
Heating
Shower
room details
Family Room
2 persons
220 sq. feet
1 Double bed and 1 Single bed
Air conditioning
Heating
room details

Show all rooms

Room rates & availability calendar

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Amenities & services

Real traveler stories and honest reviews—no glossy ads, just authentic feedback to guide your booking

Facilities: Perfect

9.0/10Review score

General

No smoking on site
Wi-Fi
24-hour reception
No pets allowed
24-hour security
Luggage storage
Lift
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers
Key card access

Services

Housekeeping
Laundry
Welcome drink

Dining

Packed lunches
Special diet menus

Business

Meeting/ Banquet facilities

Children

Cots
Board games
Children's menu

Spa & Leisure

Garden area
Leisure/ TV room

Room features

Air conditioning
Heating
Sitting area
Garden furniture
Ironing facilities

Bathroom

Free toiletries

Self-catering

Shared kitchen
Electric kettle

Media

Flat-screen TV

Room decor

Carpeted floor

The Bar Convent Guest House Location

17 Blossom Street, York, YO24 1AQ

Map view

City landmarks

Museum

National Railway Museum

3100 ft

Church

York Minster

4300 ft

Museum

Jorvik Viking Centre

2700 ft

Landmark

York City Walls

3600 ft

Museum

York Castle Museum

3200 ft

Landmark

The York Dungeon

2700 ft

Museum

York's Chocolate Story

3500 ft

Landmark

Clifford's Tower

3700 ft

Theatre

York Theatre Royal

3200 ft

Museum

Yorkshire Museum

2200 ft

Public Building

Guildhall and Chamber Range

3300 ft

Opera House

Grand Opera House

2600 ft

Church

St Wilfrid's Catholic Church

3300 ft

Shopping Area

Stonegate

3700 ft

Landmark

Goodramgate

4100 ft

Landmark

York Museum Gardens

2200 ft

Nearby

Church

Priory Church of the Holy Trinity

700 ft

Event hall

Jacobs Well

1200 ft

Restaurants

The Punch Bowl JDWetherspoon

200 ft

5-9 Blossom Street

Windmill Inn

100 ft

The Windmill 14-16 Blossom Street

The Micklegate at 127

400 ft

127 Micklegate

Dough Eyed Pizza

400 ft

7 Jubbergate York

Subway

900 ft

5 Odeon Buildings Blossom Street Blossom Street

Priory

500 ft

103 Micklegate

KFC

600 ft

47 Blossom Street

Pizza Choice

600 ft

51 Blossom Street

The Mount

800 ft

72 Blossom Street

Sapphire Chinese Takeaway

900 ft

76 The Mount

Explore York

Local Highlights Near The Bar Convent Guest House

York Minster

16 minutes' walk

A stunning Gothic cathedral known for its magnificent architecture and intricate stained glass windows. Frequent guided tours available.

Jorvik Viking Centre

10 minutes' walk

An immersive museum showcasing Viking history featuring interactive exhibits and a ride through a reconstructed Viking village.

York Castle Museum

12 minutes' walk

A history museum housed in a former prison, featuring engaging exhibits on local social history and fantastic reconstructions.

York City Walls

14 minutes' walk

Well-preserved medieval walls encircling the city, offering scenic walking paths with views of York's historic background.

Rowntree Park

14 minutes' walk

A picturesque park featuring walking paths, playgrounds, and stunning gardens, ideal for leisurely strolls and family fun.

York's Chocolate Story

13 minutes' walk

A fascinating tour exploring the history of chocolate in York, including demonstrations and tastings. Ideal for all ages.

Bike Rentals at York Cycle Works

5 minutes' walk

Bike rentals available to explore York on two wheels. Perfect for thrill-seekers with dedicated cycling paths around the city.

Therapy Spa

10 minutes' walk

A serene wellness spa offering relaxing treatments including massages and facials. Pre-booking recommended for optimal experience.

Dough Eyed Pizza

2 minutes' walk

A casual eatery known for its delicious, artisan pizzas and cozy atmosphere. Offers vegetarian options, no reservations needed.

The Micklegate at 127

2 minutes' walk

A charming pub featuring locally sourced dishes and a friendly vibe, ideal for unwinding after a day of exploration.

The Punch Bowl JDWetherspoon

1 minute' walk

A budget-friendly option with a diverse menu, famous for its great atmosphere and affordable prices. Perfect for families.

Windmill Inn

1 minute' walk

A welcoming pub serving classic British fare and a selection of craft beers. Highly recommended for its local flavor.

York Dungeon

10 minutes' walk

A thrilling walkthrough experience featuring dramatic storytelling and live actors, perfect for family fun or excitement-seekers.

The Barbican

15 minutes' walk

A vibrant arts venue hosting live music, comedy shows, and theater performances, catering to diverse tastes and interests.

The Basement

15 minutes' walk

A cozy venue featuring live music, open mic nights, and a relaxed atmosphere, great for unwinding with friends or family.

City Screen

15 minutes' walk

An independent cinema showcasing a mix of mainstream and indie films with cozy seating and an inviting café for snacks.

Getting around town

City Centre
York 9 min · 2300 ft
Airports
Leeds Bradford (LBA) 74 min · 30.3 mi
Doncaster Sheffield (DSA) 94 min · 38.9 mi
Train
York Railway station 5 min · 1400 ft
Bus
Bus stop 4 min · 1000 ft

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Property information and rules

Check-in

from 14:00-23:59

Check-out

from 07:00-10:00

Internet

Wireless internet is available in the entire hotel for free.

Breakfast

A full breakfast is served at the price of GBP 6.0 per person.

Children & extra beds

There are no cots provided in a room.

Pets

Pets are not allowed.

Number of rooms:

Reviews and Ratings

What past guests shared about their stay

Review score

Based on 5 verified reviews

7.5 /10

Very good

100%

Recommend

Cleanliness

9.3/10

Comfort

9.3/10

Facilities

9.0/10

Free Wi-Fi

9.1/10

Location

9.6/10

Staff

9.4/10

Value for money

8.8/10

daniel from united kingdom

Single

single room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: January 10, 2026

9/10

serene stay

superb location main foyer unique crannies

the location proved superb for my needs. the decoration in the main foyer impressed me. i also appreciated the layout of the whole space with its nooks and crannies (they added character).

0 Helpful

jason from united kingdom

Single

twin room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: December 16, 2025

6/10

confusing air conditioning limited options

the location was acceptable as it was near various shops.

The air conditioning was confusing and only blew out cold air! i tried adjusting the settings, but it didn't help. the continental breakfast was disappointing. I expected more options considering the price.

0 Helpful

Penelope from Greece

Single

Single Room

3 nights in October 2025

Reviewed: November 22, 2025

6/10

steep stairs no help

the room was clean.

the stairs were very steep. there was no lift to the third floor. i received no help with my suitcase.

0 Helpful

jackson from united states

Single

single room

3 nights in August 2026

Reviewed: October 24, 2025

9.3/10

historic charm and perfect location

real character great location nice selection good breakfast

this accommodation had real character. the location was great, very close to everything i wanted to see (i especially loved the chapel). breakfast was good, with a nice selection available, though i didn't realize a full cooked breakfast cost extra when booked through a third-party site.

this meant the entrance felt a bit closed off with the tape.

Rooms

9/10

The room was nice and neat. it included a variety of tea and coffee. the bathroom had adjustable lighting and a lighted mirror. The shower had great pressure.

Location

10/10

the location is central, only seven minutes' walk from the train station. this place is just outside micklegate bar. it offered easy access to attractions.

Service

9/10

the staff members were very friendly, efficient and helpful. they were calm (a welcome change after a busy day). i was upgraded to a twin room, a plus.

0 Helpful

Charles from United Kingdom

Single

Twin Room

4 nights in June 2026

Reviewed: September 05, 2025

7/10