The Bar Convent

B&B in England’s oldest living convent – that’s pretty cool and so very York, given the history all around you in this city. The Bar Convent dates from 1686 and still has a resident religious community, but the guest house side of the operation largely keeps itself to itself within the convent’s enormous redbrick Georgian  building. There are smart twins and doubles with either en-suite or shared facilities, some good-value singles and a couple of larger family rooms, plus use of a sitting room, kitchen and top-floor recreation room with rooftop views – so it’s a good self-catering base for couples and families. Décor throughout is nice, modern and neutral, and the en-suite rooms have all been recently upgraded. Breakfast is served in the extremely handsome ground-floor courtyard café, with its majestic Victorian tiled floor – it’s continental, though the Full English is also available for an extra charge. Best of all is the tranquil hideaway garden out back, where it’s difficult to believe you’re so close to the city centre – just five minutes’ walk from all the sights.