Fairfax House, York

Fairfax House, a splendid Georgian townhouse located on Castlegate in York, stands as a testament to the architectural and social history of the 18th century. Constructed in the early 1740s, initially for a local merchant, the property was acquired in 1759 by Charles Gregory Fairfax, the 9th Viscount Fairfax of Emley. Following the death of his wealthy wife, Elizabeth Clifford, Fairfax used his inheritance to purchase the house, intending it as a residence for his daughter, Ann Fairfax.

The house underwent significant renovations under the guidance of John Carr, a renowned architect, who was commissioned by Viscount Fairfax in 1761 to remodel the interiors. Completed in 1765, these renovations introduced exquisite plasterwork by James Henderson and Giuseppe Cortese and detailed carved woodwork. The house also featured impressive wrought iron balustrades and gates crafted by Maurice Tobin, although these were later removed during street widening.

Over the centuries, Fairfax House had various incarnations – from a gentleman's club to a cinema named Saint George's Hall. By the mid-20th century, the building had fallen into disrepair. It was not until the 1980s that the York Civic Trust purchased and meticulously restored it to its former grandeur.

Today, Fairfax House operates as a public museum, managed by the York Civic Trust. It is celebrated not only for its architectural beauty but also for housing a growing collection of Georgian artifacts, including a Grinling Gibbons panel and a recently acquired portrait of Elizabeth Clifford. The museum is dedicated to the exploration and exhibition of Georgian life, offering a variety of exhibitions, live performances, and audio-visual displays that highlight 18th-century British culture.

Why You Should Visit:
To get a feel for what it was like to live as an aristocrat in a Georgian home. Better than visiting a castle or a palace, as you can get very close to all of the displays – no velvet ropes here!
Friendly volunteers are stationed throughout the house offering an excellent level of historical detail and their color commentary, complete with pithy British humor.

Tip:
If available on a Monday, make sure you catch one of the tours as it will make your visit more personal, with less external chatter from other guests.
Remember to look up at the ceilings. They also have a gift shop which is well stocked with unusual gifts and interesting in its own right.