This fun, stylish retreat in quiet Clifton draws on York’s past as a confectionery-making heartland — each of the 27 rooms is named after a different sweet. And just like a packet of Fruit Pastilles, the rooms pop with colour.

You can’t get more central than lovely Galtres Lodge, named after the Norman royal forest that once crept right up to York’s city walls.

In 1570, one Guy Fawkes was born in a room at the back of this popular old inn. Today the hotel and pub make best use of their predecessor’s notoriety and fame but, as the property was once owned by Guy Fawkes’ family, they’re still banned from celebrating Bonfire Night.

Bringing their Regency style from Bath, brothers Tristan, James and Tom launched this Georgian townhouse hotel in 2021. Beyond the colonnaded, candle-lit entrance lie 39 bedrooms in warm tones and furnishings sourced from York’s antique centres.

“Americana à la Victoriana” is how owners Jonathan and Anthony describe their intimate eight-room hotel.

Opposite the Museum Gardens entrance and just a couple of doors down from Tommy Banks’ Michelin-starred Roots restaurant, Jorvik House is in a perfect spot for wining, dining and exploring York’s layered ancient centre.

Take one Victorian red-brick police station, two Italian owners and a lavish transformation budget and the result is York’s most unique, design-conscious hotel.

Accessed via one of the traditional skinny ginnels (alleyways, to non-Yorkshire folk) in the cradle of medieval York, this smart townhouse hotel is named after the high-ranking judiciary figures that used it in the 18th century — the decision to hang notorious highwayman Dick Turpin was made here.

Tucked away in a scenic nook adjoining Bootham Bar, one of York’s original medieval gates, the Fat Badger is a down-to-earth bolt hole for visitors who don’t like fuss.

Roe deer in the parkland, nesting birds around the lake, an arboretum trail and a south-facing lawn terrace set for drinks — Middlethorpe Hall feels every bit the country retreat, yet it’s still only a 30-minute walk or so from central York, so guests get the best of both worlds.