Golden Fleece York * Historic Inn Steps from Shambles

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Key details

About the Hotel

16 Pavement, York, United Kingdom, YO1 9UP

Steps from Jorvik Viking Centre

Perfect

9.1

/10

4.0

Loved by Golden Fleece York Hotel guests

Excellent value breakfast
Helpful staff
Super clean bathroom
Spacious room

"An amazing 600 year old pub with lots of history, live music every night, and even a seance a few nights a week."

Louise from United Kingdom

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"Looking out the window you should see straight to the Shambles and the room was very big."

DraconisLunae from United Kingdom

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"I absolutely loved our room 'The Shambles'."

Ruth from United Kingdom

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4-star historic inn in York

Location

Golden Fleece York is situated within the city walls of York, a few steps from York Minster, one of the largest cathedrals in Northern Europe. Its prime location provides easy access to the city's historical attractions, dining options, and shopping streets. The hotel is within walking distance of local landmarks like the Shambles and the Jorvik Viking Centre.

Accommodation

The hotel offers 23 individually styled en-suite rooms, each showcasing distinctive decor and unique character. Guests can select from various room types, including standard, superior, and deluxe rooms. Many accommodations boast views overlooking the historic city, adding an immersive experience to each stay.

Dining

Golden Fleece York has an on-site restaurant featuring a menu that highlights locally sourced ingredients. The bar serves a selection of beverages, including handpicked wines and traditional ales, creating an inviting space for relaxation. Breakfast options are offered each morning, providing a hearty start to the day.

Special Events

The hotel caters to special events, including weddings and private gatherings, with bespoke packages to suit individual needs. Its atmospheric setting lends itself well to both intimate celebrations and larger functions. The hotel's experienced team assists in planning every detail, ensuring a seamless experience.

Historical Significance

Golden Fleece York is known as York's oldest inn, dating back to the 16th century, steeped in history and folklore. Guests may enjoy stories of the hotel's infamous past, including its reputed ghostly residents. This level of historical significance offers visitors a unique connection to York's rich heritage.

Highlights

Location: City walls of York, next to York Minster.

Accommodation: 23 individually styled en-suite rooms.

Dining: On-site restaurant focuses on locally sourced ingredients.

Special Events: Bespoke packages for weddings and gatherings.

Historical Significance: York's oldest inn dating back to the 16th century.

“Golden Fleece York earns high marks for its central location and historic ambiance, even if some find the pub a bit rough around the edges. What stands out, despite mixed reports on service and dining, is the hotel's commitment to a unique, ghost-themed experience near York's main attractions. I'd say it's a worthwhile gamble for those prioritizing location and novelty over flawless service.”

Anna BlackEditor-in-Chief at Tohotel

Location: Perfect

9.8/10Review score

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Highlights from guests

BedroomLuxurious Comfort

The suite was huge. The bed was really comfortable and luxurious. The room was spacious and very clean.

Isabelle from France

Review on

DiningAmazing Breakfast

The breakfast was one of the best breakfasts. It was amazing and kept us full for hours.

Rajesh from India

Review on

Room FeaturesEccentric Inn

The room fit in with the period of the building. Its historic charm pulls you in with crooked walls and low ceilings.

Hans from Netherlands

Review on

BathroomStunning Bathroom

The bathroom was stunning and spacious, equipped with a full-size bath and an extra shower unit.

Aoife from Ireland

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Select your room type

Golden Fleece York Hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

Standard Twin Room

2 persons

90 sq. feet

2 Single beds

Shower

Coffee machine

room details

Deluxe Room

2 persons

110 sq. feet

1 Double bed

Shower

Coffee machine

room details

Superior Suite Lounge

2 persons

110 sq. feet

1 King-size bed

Shower

Coffee machine

room details

Double Room

2 persons

90 sq. feet

1 Double bed

Shower

Coffee machine

room details

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Price and Room Availability Calendar

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Facilities

Golden Fleece York Hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Facilities: Perfect

9.1/10Review score

General

No smoking on site
Free Wi-Fi in public areas
No pets allowed
Security
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers
Key access

Guest Parking

Electric kettle

Services

Housekeeping
Welcome drink

Dining

Restaurant
Bar/ Lounge area
Special diet menus

Business

Meeting/ Banquet facilities

Children

Board games
Children's menu

Spa & Leisure

Live entertainment

Room features

Heating
Sitting area
Terrace
Garden furniture

Bathroom

Free toiletries

Self-catering

Electric kettle

Media

Flat-screen TV

Room decor

Carpeted floor

Dining Onsite

Golden Fleece York invites travelers to indulge in a delightful dining experience that caters to all tastes. With a family-friendly atmosphere, guests can savor vegetarian and vegan dishes while enjoying the warmth of a cozy pub-style setting. The onsite restaurant, bar, and garden offer a charming backdrop to every meal, from breakfast to dinner.

Restaurant #1

Vegetarian and Vegan

Ambiance

Family-friendly setting with a cozy, inviting atmosphere.

Key Offerings

Enjoy a range of wholesome vegetarian and vegan meals, perfect for families seeking to dine together. Craft cocktails are also available, featuring exciting options like the Verano Pineapple Gin that adds a tropical twist to your beverage selection.

Reservation

Reservations are recommended.

Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; hours vary.

Golden Fleece York Hotel Location

16 Pavement, York, United Kingdom, YO1 9UP

Map view

16 Pavement, York, United Kingdom, YO1 9UP

City landmarks

Museum

National Railway Museum

4800 ft

Museum

Yorkshire Museum

3000 ft

Landmark

York Museum Gardens

2400 ft

Church

Priory Church of the Holy Trinity

2400 ft

Event hall

Jacobs Well

2200 ft

Square

Kings Square

2100 ft

Park

Rowntree Park

4000 ft

Church

St Denys's Church

2400 ft

Gallery

York Art Gallery

3000 ft

Nearby

Church

York Minster

1600 ft

York YO1 7HBEngland

York City Walls

1600 ft

Museum

Jorvik Viking Centre

500 ft

Museum

York Castle Museum

1000 ft

Museum

York's Chocolate Story

600 ft

Tower Street

Clifford's Tower

1800 ft

Church

St Wilfrid's Catholic Church

1900 ft

St. Anthonys Hall Peasholme Green

Quilt Museum and Gallery

1600 ft

12 Clifford St

The York Dungeon

1000 ft

Public Building

York Guildhall

1500 ft

Event hall

Merchant Taylors Hall

1800 ft

York YO1 8BL

St. Crux Parish Hall

700 ft

Shopping Area

Stonegate

1400 ft

Goodramgate

1300 ft

Square

Saint Helen's Square

1500 ft

Event hall

Saint William's College

1700 ft

Museum Gardens Museum Street

The Hospitium

1900 ft

St. Leonards Place

De Grey Rooms And Attached Gates

1800 ft

Church

Church of St Mary Bishophill Junior

600 ft

Fairfax House Castlegate

Fairfax House

700 ft

Museum

Merchant Adventurers' Hall

700 ft

Restaurants

Spring Espresso

400 ft

21 Lendal

The Hop

400 ft

11-12 Fossgate

York's Yummy Chicken

200 ft

28 Pavement

The York Roast Co

300 ft

78 Low Petergate

Trio Patisserie

300 ft

3 Whip Ma Whop Ma Gate

Heffer Wolfe

300 ft

Parc Trostre Retail Park

The Fossgate Social

500 ft

25 Fossgate

Krep

400 ft

5 Silver Street Shambles Market

The Duke of York

100 ft

3-4 Kings Square

Nukkad - Indian Street Food

300 ft

5 Silver Street Shambles Market

Explore York

Jorvik Viking Centre

2 minutes walking

Jorvik Viking Centre showcases Viking heritage with immersive exhibits and archaeological finds, ideal for history enthusiasts.

York Minster

6 minutes walking

York Minster is a stunning Gothic cathedral, known for its incredible stained glass and tower views.

York Museum Gardens

9 minutes walking

York Museum Gardens feature beautiful botanical gardens and ruins, perfect for a leisurely stroll or picnics.

National Railway Museum

18 minutes walking

National Railway Museum houses a vast collection of railway artifacts, offering free entry and interactive displays.

Rowntree Park

15 minutes walking

Rowntree Park offers scenic walking trails, playgrounds, and gardens, ideal for family outings and relaxation.

York's Chocolate Story

3 minutes walking

York's Chocolate Story provides engaging chocolate-making workshops and tastings, great for both adults and kids.

The Hop

2 minutes walking

The Hop is a lively pub known for its craft beers and hearty British fare, with a relaxed atmosphere and outdoor seating.

York's Yummy Chicken

1 minute walking

Casual dining at York's Yummy Chicken offers flavorful fried chicken and sides, ideal for a quick meal.

The Duchess

10 minutes walking

The Duchess is a vibrant venue for live music, hosting everything from local bands to renowned artists, appealing to music lovers.

York Theatre Royal

10 minutes walking

York Theatre Royal features a diverse program of performances, suitable for all ages, in a historic setting.

Getting around

City Centre

York4 min · 1000 ft

Airports

Leeds Bradford (LBA)78 min · 32.2 mi

Doncaster Sheffield (DSA)93 min · 38.5 mi

Train

York Railway station11 min · 3000 ft

Bus

Bus stop11 min · 3000 ft

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Property information and rules

Check-in

from 15:00-22:00

Check-out

until 11 am

Guest Parking

No parking available.

Internet

Wireless internet is available in public areas for free.

Breakfast

At the hotel Golden Fleece York guests are invited to a full breakfast served for free.

Children & extra beds

There are no cots provided in a room.

Pets

Pets are not allowed.

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback about Golden Fleece York Hotel from previous guests about their experience.

Review summary

Based on recent reviews

Guests consistently praise the Golden Fleece's unique and quirky atmosphere, with features like slanted floors adding to its charm. The rooms are well-equipped, often featuring amenities like Nespresso machines, and some offer great views of The Shambles, located just across the street. The hotel also features a pub-style bar and dining area with good food and sometimes live entertainment; however, a few guests have mentioned that the downstairs area could benefit from more attention. many find the hotel to be a memorable and conveniently located base for exploring York's attractions.

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Review score

Based on 882 verified reviews

8.6/10

Great

85%

Recommend

Location

9.8/10

Comfort

9.3/10

Free Wi-Fi

8.5/10

Value for money

8.7/10

Pros

Friendly staff

Live entertainment

Comfortable bed

Fantastic food

Cons

Hazardous sockets

Slow breakfast

Sophia from Greece

Single

Double Room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: February 08, 2026

6/10

Mixed Feelings About This Inn

polite staffinternal squarenoisy room

The staff was very polite and helpful to me .

The room I had was noisy at night I could hear everything happening in the pub below. I could also hear noise coming from the ladies' toilets which was not pleasant at all. The windows opened onto a dirty internal square which I found disappointing.

0 Helpful

victor from united kingdom

Couple

deluxe room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: January 25, 2026

9.0/10

historic charm and comfortable stay

antique furniturelive plantscoffee station

The beautiful room was more than i expected, it offered a cozy atmosphere with unique, antique furniture. live plants added a nice touch, and i especially liked the coffee and tea station. the bathroom looked great. It had all necessary amenities making my stay enjoyable.

The check-in process was a little chaotic. the downstairs area could use some attention. It felt a little unclean.

Dining

9/10

Breakfast offered high-quality items. It contributed positively to my morning. i found the open mic night to be quite fun offering a unique evening activity, and the food was delicious and well-prepared.

Facilities

9/10

The hotel's location offered great convenience. It was near shops and attractions. the live music at the bar added to the atmosphere, though it was not intrusive to the rooms. the historic building itself had an interesting, quirky vibe.

Rooms

9/10

the room was beautifully decorated, complete with colorful walls and drapery. the bed provided comfort, and the room had everything needed for a comfortable visit. the bathroom featured a bath and shower with gold-colored faucets.

0 Helpful

Luke from Australia

Single

Double Room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: January 12, 2026

9/10

wonky architecture

wonky architecturehelpful staffhistorical floors

i enjoyed the wonky architecture. floors was also a highlight. the staff was very helpful with everything.

0 Helpful

Ethan from Canada

Single

Deluxe Room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: January 06, 2026

9/10

Fantastic Stay in a Unique Location

antique furniturecoffee machinewalk in showerlocal attractions

My beautiful room featured antique furniture and decor. The room provided a kettle and coffee machine. The en-suite bathroom included a spacious, walk IN shower. The location allowed easy access to local attractions. I found this very convenient.

The staff were very busy at certain times. This meant that service could be a LITTLE slow during peak hours.

Service

9/10

The staff were friendly and accommodating. They always helped with directions and recommendations. Breakfast service was prompt. The dining area was always tidy. Staff efficiently managed my baggage storage after checkout.

0 Helpful

Jade from United Kingdom

Single

Double Room

2 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: November 30, 2025

9.0/10

historical charm

clean bedgreat spotlive musicwell sized bathroom

the room featured a well sized bathroom. it had a very clean, comfortable bed. the hotel is in a great spot. the live music nights did not create noise in the room.

the room lacked a fridge.

Location

9/10

the inn is directly opposite the shambles. this location provides convenient access to shops. the location is central and ideal for exploring.

Facilities

9/10

the hotel keeps a semi period design. this design gives a great feeling. the hotel includes stylish rooms. the rooms include facilities you might expect.

0 Helpful