Fairfax House

Fairfax House is a Georgian-era townhouse on Castlegate in York, crafted in 1762 by Yorkshire artisans with classical architectural design, elaborate plasterwork, and fine wood carvings throughout. The building features the hallmarks of that period with symmetrical facades, tall windows, and carefully proportioned interior rooms.

The house was built in 1762 for Charles Gregory, the 9th Viscount Fairfax, as a gift for his daughter Anne. The family line ended with her death in 1793, and the building later became a cinema in 1919 before being restored to its original purpose.

The rooms display masterful craftsmanship from Yorkshire artisans in their finely carved woodwork and decorative plasterwork throughout. Visitors can see how wealthy families filled their homes with handmade details that still impress today.

The house is open for visitors to walk through multiple levels with stairs connecting different rooms. Comfortable shoes are a good idea since the floors can be uneven and some staircase steps are quite steep.

From 1919 to 1960, this building served as St George's Cinema, and the managers took care to preserve the Georgian features during that conversion. This dual history shows how a private residence became a public cinema for decades while keeping its original beauty intact.