Entire home

Outstanding historic townhouse in city centre next to York Minster (sleeps 2-8)

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Exterior
Outdoor dining
4 bedrooms, iron/ironing board, internet, bed sheets
TV, fireplace, books
Dining
Reviews
9.8

Exceptional

Entire home

4 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • Washer
    WasherWasher
  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grillBarbecue grill
  • Kitchen
    KitchenKitchen
  • Fireplace
    FireplaceFireplace
  • Dryer
    DryerDryer
  • Pet friendly
    Pet friendlyPet friendly

Explore the area

Map
York, ENG
  • Popular LocationYork Minster1 min walk
  • Popular LocationShambles5 min walk
  • Popular LocationYork City Walls9 min walk
  • AirportBradford (BRF)66 min drive

Most relevant reviews

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Outstanding historic townhouse in city centre next to York Minster (sleeps 2-8)

Awards to date:
1. 5 star gold award by Visit England.
2. Nothing less than 5 star reviews on tripadvisor.
3. Selected by Sawday's as a 'Special Place'.

No. 2 Precentor's Court is relatively new to the holiday market (April 2014) and has only just been listed with Owners Direct (September 2015).

It is suitable for families and mixed groups of friends. Please be aware that Precentor's Court is in a sacred and quiet part of the city, and out of respect for the Church and our neighbours, we do not accept bookings from single sex parties. Thank you.

The property is a 4 bedroom townhouse, with a courtyard garden; it can accommodate up to 8 guests. The rental comprises of the entire house, thereby offering privacy and space, and is arguably the best located holiday property in York.

A comprehensive refurbishment of the entire house has just been completed, and care was taken to retain the original features, many of which date back nearly 300 years. This sympathetic restoration, when coupled with an eclectic mix of high quality antique and contemporary furnishings, has resulted in an elegant yet relaxed and comfortable residence, recently featured (July 2014) in '25 Beautiful Homes' magazine.

Location, location, location: Placed at the entrance to Precentor's Court, this hidden gem occupies a unique and enviable position in the heart of York, just yards from the 800 year old Gothic cathedral that is York Minster. Not only is the property ideally placed for exploring and enjoying the wonderful city of York, together with the beautiful county of Yorkshire*, but it is also a superb base for exploring the rest of Britain. York’s famously curved Victorian railway station is just a few minutes walk away with connections all over the country including London and Edinburgh in just under two hours.

Accommodation: Living accommodation is arranged over 3 floors. The house is centrally heated with fully adjustable cast iron column radiators in every room. At the back is a courtyard garden offering private outdoor space in the heart of the city, whilst to the front it is just a few steps to the Dean's garden - a great place for a picnic. WiFi broadband is available throughout the house.

Ground Floor: Lounge - plenty of comfortable seating and a high definition TV with Netflix.
Kitchen / Pantry / Diner - modern kitchen meets vintage dining area.
Tiled Hallway - a tiled hallway with an array of coat hooks and a tourist information cupboard.

The Knowledge: On a lectern in the dining area is a large red book entitled 'The Knowledge'. Compiled by the owners, to ensure that their guests have the best experience, it is a constantly updated distillation of the best in and around York - including restaurants, pubs, shopping, sights, entertainment and excursions. Invaluable!

The Bedrooms: All bedrooms have wonderful views of the Minster and adjacent Dean's garden. All are equipped with - hairdryers, towels, mirrors, luggage racks, and bed-side tables and lights. All bedding and linen is high quality cotton.

Middle floor: Bedroom (1) - original fireplace, large king-sized double bed and walk-in wardrobe, furnishings include antique secretaire, antique George III chairs , gilded trumpet candelabra.
House Bathroom - bath, shower, hand-basin, toilet, and heated towel rail.
Bedroom (2) - very similar to bedroom 1. but with a free-standing wardrobe and dresser.

Top Floor: Bedroom (3) - in the eaves of the house, original fireplace, a double bed, rare walnut knee-hole dresser with shield mirror.
Second Bathroom - small but perfectly formed wet-room with an electric shower, toilet and hand-basin.
Bedroom (4) - single wooden sleigh bed, folding single bed (will be made up on those occasions when there is a full compliment of 8 guests), walk in wardrobe with cupboard to stow luggage.

Cellar: Laundry facility - washer, dryer, ironing.

Boring but important. Safety: The safety of all our guests is of paramount importance to us and whilst we ensure that the house is a safe as is reasonably possible, it is not 'toddler-proof', and we caution parents against bringing very young children (below the age of 4) who would need constant supervision on the stairs and in the kitchen.
The Elderly: There are 2 sets of winding wooden stairs to reach the upper floors which might prove difficult for the elderly and infirm (and hazardous for the very young).

Parking: For those guests arriving by car there is a free car-parking space for one vehicle, 5 minutes walk from the house. Additional spaces are available in the York City Council car parks which are also close by. Further information on parking and directions will be given in our 'Welcome Package'. It is possible to load and unload directly outside the house before parking up.

Single sex stag/hen parties: Standing in the precincts of York Minster, Precentor's Court is in a quiet and residential part of the city. Out of respect to both the Church, and our other neighbours (many of whom have young children), we will not accept bookings from stag/hen parties. Sorry.

*Yorkshire came third in Lonely Planet's 2014 top ten world destinations!

Property manager

Jane and Steve (Boxing Hare Ltd.)

Languages

English

Property amenities

Internet

  • Internet access

Parking and transportation

  • Onsite parking
  • Car not required

Kitchen

  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils
  • Toaster
  • Spices
  • Electric kettle

Bedrooms

  • 4 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided

Bathrooms

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Hair dryer
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • TV with cable/satellite service
  • Games
  • Books

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer
  • Near laundromat

Comfort

  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone

Location highlights

  • In the city center
  • Near a hospital
  • Near outlet shopping

Things to do

  • Fitness facilities nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Golf nearby
  • Hiking nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector installed (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector installed (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • First aid kit
  • Deadbolt lock

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:30 PM

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property at the number on the booking confirmation

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

We should mention

A car is not required for transportation to and from this property

Property is also known as

Outstanding Historic Townhouse City Centre York Minster House
Outstanding Historic Townhouse Minster House
Outstanding Historic Townhouse City Centre York Minster
Outstanding Historic Townhouse Minster
Outstanding Historic Townhouse City Centre York Minster House
Outstanding Historic Townhouse Minster House
Outstanding Historic Townhouse City Centre York Minster
Outstanding Historic Townhouse Minster
Outstanding Historic Minster

About the neighborhood

York

Located in York, this vacation home is in the city center. Notable landmarks in the area include York Minster and Shambles, and travelers wishing to experience a bit of culture can try Jorvik Viking Centre. Traveling with kids? Consider Yorkshire Museum Gardens, or check out an event or a game at York Racecourse. Swimming offers a great chance to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking/biking trails, cycling, and mountain biking nearby.

What's nearby

  • York Minster - 1 min walk
  • York St. John University - 5 min walk
  • Shambles - 5 min walk
  • York City Walls - 9 min walk
  • Jorvik Viking Centre - 10 min walk

Getting around

  • York Station - 10 min walk
  • Leeds (LBA-Leeds Bradford) - 56 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Brew & Brownie - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪House of the Trembling Madness - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Bootham Tavern - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Bean & Gone Coffee - ‬2 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Outstanding historic townhouse in city centre next to York Minster (sleeps 2-8) pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Outstanding historic townhouse in city centre next to York Minster (sleeps 2-8)?

Check-in begins at 3:30 PM.

What time is check-out at Outstanding historic townhouse in city centre next to York Minster (sleeps 2-8)?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Outstanding historic townhouse in city centre next to York Minster (sleeps 2-8) located?

Located in the center of York, this family-friendly vacation home is within a 10-minute walk of York Minster, Shambles, and York City Walls. Exhibition Square and Bootham Bar are just steps away. York Station is 10 minutes by foot and York (QQY-York Train Station) is 10 minutes.

Outstanding historic townhouse in city centre next to York Minster (sleeps 2-8) Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 19 out of 20 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 20 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 20 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 20 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 20 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Jean S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Outstanding
Perfect location, great layout, just amazing hosts!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Toni C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Friends
A fabulous stay in a very quirky, perfectly positioned period property in the heart of York. Our hosts provided everything we needed and their timely updates with the necessary information made for a smooth arrival and departure.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Geoff H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect location in a great City
It was quite special to be able to stay so close the the Minster with a short walk to York's many places to eat, drink, visit and shop. You don't have to be devout to enjoy the wonderful choral and organ music at Evensong in such an atmospheric building even more so when at one service, we heard the choir sing Allegri's Miserere. The house is very well equipped, comfortable and a delight to stay in.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Martin F.

Liked: Cleanliness
5 stars all round
Excellent location, excellent facilities
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Olivia U.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful wedding trip!
We had the most amazing time staying in this beautiful house for our wedding! It was incredibly comfortable, very well equipped and the location simply couldn’t be better! Jane was fantastic - communicated brilliantly all the way through (answering all my annoying bride questions) and couldn’t have been kinder. Parking is very straightforward, too. Highly, highly recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Russell E., London

Liked: Cleanliness
Totally brilliant location and house
We had a wonderful week staying in this period house. It’s location right next to the Minster and in the heart of York is unbeatable. The secure car parking nearby was excellent, and a bonus for us was the bank of EV chargers in the main car park. The house is very well equipped, clean and comfortable. The two bathrooms are hotel quality and there is a quirky outside loo. Bed linen and towels were all high quality. Due to the age of the house, some floors are uneven and doorways low - my son bumped his head a few times. WiFi is very slow and the smart TV can struggle to connect to Netflix. The house has lots of room and easily coped with six adults. The owners are great. We emailed them to report a small leak and it was fixed by a plumber within two hours. They also left us a cake and cookies from Betty’s. Overall, this is one of the best holiday rentals we’ve had in the UK. The lovely and historic house together with the brilliant location nailed it for us. Recommended.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021

6/10 Okay

Russell K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Town house
Notwithstanding the age of the property we were looking for a more cosy dwelling. The first floor was to hot and the second to cold. It was in our opinion not a dwelling you looked forward to going back to.

10/10 Excellent

Laura M., Redmond

Outstanding rental
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at this beautiful, historic townhouse. The location is phenomenal, and York is such a beautiful, interesting city. The townhouse had absolutely everything we needed, was impeccably clean and tastefully decorated. We had such a nice time in York and would love to return. When we do, we will definitely rent this townhouse again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Julie K., Westborough, MA

Excellent location and wonderful lodging!
We couldn’t have asked for a better spot to begin our UK adventure! It was convenient - even has a parking spot in a locked garage - and just so nice to be a part of the history of York with this wonderfully refurbished home! I will recommend to my friends for sure!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Randall S.

rsven2017
What a find. It was like being in a Dickens novel. Right next to the Minster, our four bedroom / two bath accommodations were simply charming. We met in the kitchen each morning to plan our day and the parlor across the entrance hall each evening to discuss our adventures. The flat was neat and clean, with up to date appliances and furnishings. The next time we are in York we will definitely give Jane a ring.
Stayed 10 nights in Dec 2017