The Bar Convent Living Heritage Centre
The Bar Convent Living Heritage Centre
The Bar Convent Living Heritage Centre
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
Closed
About
Established in secret in 1686, when Catholicism was illegal, we are now the oldest living convent in the UK. We are home to the Congregation of Jesus who opened the first schools for girls in the country while hiding their true identity. Our house is now open to the public where people can discover our fascinating history- as well as enjoy our café, garden and even stay in our guest house.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
190 reviews
Excellent
127
Very good
44
Average
16
Poor
2
Terrible
1
Ploopy
22 contributions
Feb 2024 • Solo
A fantastic historic site nestled in the heart of the amazing city of York.
The Bar Convent is such an underrated hidden gem - the exhibition is thoughtfully curated, both educational and interesting and caters to all ages.
The chapel was one of my favourite parts of the visit - so peaceful and charming and absolutely packed with history.
Would throughly recommend a visit if you’re in the city.
The Bar Convent is such an underrated hidden gem - the exhibition is thoughtfully curated, both educational and interesting and caters to all ages.
The chapel was one of my favourite parts of the visit - so peaceful and charming and absolutely packed with history.
Would throughly recommend a visit if you’re in the city.
Written 9 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve Stefanopoulos
Melbourne, Australia258 contributions
Aug 2024 • Solo
As an avid fan of Mary Ward, I was keen to stay in this place and experience this magic. The warm welcome at reception and the beautiful historic space made my stay magical.
The room I had at the rear was spacious, very comfortable, and quiet. The bed was very comfortable, the linen plentiful and lovely and the bathroom great to use. The ability to walk around the building and gardens was an added bonus, as was seeing the beautiful chapel.
The breakfast was also wide-ranging and plentiful. The only thing lacking was a luggage rack in my room for my suitcase.
I also used the communal kitchen and laundry facilities which were great and inexpensive.
The room I had at the rear was spacious, very comfortable, and quiet. The bed was very comfortable, the linen plentiful and lovely and the bathroom great to use. The ability to walk around the building and gardens was an added bonus, as was seeing the beautiful chapel.
The breakfast was also wide-ranging and plentiful. The only thing lacking was a luggage rack in my room for my suitcase.
I also used the communal kitchen and laundry facilities which were great and inexpensive.
Written 21 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Agnes D
Hopton on Sea, UK94 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
Staying for a few days in York. We found out about this Convent whilst out on a ghost walk the night before. We decided to pay a visit, as it was something a bit different, and about a 10 min walk along the castle wall, so not in the centre with all the other attractions. So glad we did. We learnt a lot about the catholic faith way back in history, and how strong women where to protect their faith, as it was illegal to be catholic in the 1700's. (we are not catholic) Learn the story of Margaret Clitherow, and how her hand is now housed in the convent. Also look out for the priest' s holes. Thank you to the Lady on the entrance who was so helpful. Defiantly worth the effort to visit.
Written 12 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nicola
Chorleywood, UK2 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
A wonderful find - so interesting and information at every level for all to enjoy. We were made very welcome. The displays clear and helpful. Interactive displays all working and of a high standard. The history goes from the sixteenth century through to the present day, including the work of the present nuns.
Written 3 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helton H
3 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
We really enjoyed our visit of the Bar Convent. This was recommended by The Bloody Tour of York and we learned so much from our visit. We found out whilst visiting that they have a guesthouse so we may check that out at some point too. The cafe was lovely, although we did only get a drink.
We never would have known about this place without the recommendation, so glad we visited and got to learn even more about York’s history.
We never would have known about this place without the recommendation, so glad we visited and got to learn even more about York’s history.
Written 5 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traveller0183
Essex, UK9 contributions
Nov 2024 • Solo
Next to Micklegate and 10 minutes walk from centre of York.
Clean and cosy accommodation steeped in history. Very interesting museum about the property worth visiting during stay.
Thank you for a lovely time!
Clean and cosy accommodation steeped in history. Very interesting museum about the property worth visiting during stay.
Thank you for a lovely time!
Written 26 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jackietclarkson
6 contributions
Aug 2024 • Friends
What a find! Wonderful from start to finish.
Last minute booking, so glad we found Bar Convent, from the moment we arrived we loved it. This place is so unique and special, the chapel, the history was just amazing. We were lucky enough to experience a pilgrimage too whilst staying, everyone we met was welcoming and happy to talk us through what was happening.
The rooms are lovely, comfortable and conducive to a great nights sleep. Breakfast was fantastic, full English but the granola stole the show, certainly left with very fully tummy’s.
I could go on and on about how wonderful this place is, I love it and will certainly be back!
Last minute booking, so glad we found Bar Convent, from the moment we arrived we loved it. This place is so unique and special, the chapel, the history was just amazing. We were lucky enough to experience a pilgrimage too whilst staying, everyone we met was welcoming and happy to talk us through what was happening.
The rooms are lovely, comfortable and conducive to a great nights sleep. Breakfast was fantastic, full English but the granola stole the show, certainly left with very fully tummy’s.
I could go on and on about how wonderful this place is, I love it and will certainly be back!
Written 30 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ungell
Bristol, UK3 contributions
Nov 2024 • Family
What an amazing find. Wonderful experience. The staff were so helpful. Beautifully clean rooms, amazing breakfast selection. Although situated on a busy road junction the rooms were so quiet. Great location to walk to and from the centre of York. Nothing to complain about at all. Would definitely stay again, without a shadow of a doubt.
Written 16 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fritse Z
Lystrup, Denmark669 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
The oldest convent in the UK. At a time when you were punished if you were Catholic this convent was build and run by nuns pretending to be widows. They opened a school for girls, the second school for girls to be opened in the UK
Written 23 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lumberjack
7 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Well, what a hidden gem of a place! Tucked away behind an unassuming door (this is explained why in the museum) with an amazing history and story behind it, really enjoyed going round and learning of it's history, absolutely fascinating.
Then to top off our visit a coffee and delicious eats in the cafe, indoors or out in the lovely garden.
An unusual place and well worth a visit by tourists and locals alike, lovely helpful, friendly, knowledgeable staff and a warm welcome extended to all.
I can highly recommend a visit.
Then to top off our visit a coffee and delicious eats in the cafe, indoors or out in the lovely garden.
An unusual place and well worth a visit by tourists and locals alike, lovely helpful, friendly, knowledgeable staff and a warm welcome extended to all.
I can highly recommend a visit.
Written 3 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Saint Margaret is such an inspiration. I have heard that her hand is here. There does seem to one photo. Can someone please tell me how you get to see her hand? Thank you.
Written 20 August 2024
Thinking about booking to stay for 2 nights. Are there lots of stairs to get to bedrooms?
Written 13 January 2018
We were on the top floor and there were two flights of stairs from the lobby, but also a very convenient elevator.
Written 14 January 2018
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