York Mansion House

York Mansion House Discover the official residence of the Lord Mayor of York: four floors of 18th century splendour.

Open Weds - Sun: 10.30am - 5pm
Available for events and wedding hire
Home of York Georgian Festival

Thank you so much to Alyce and Joshua for these gorgeous photos of their wedding at York Mansion House in May.Alyce and...
12/06/2026

Thank you so much to Alyce and Joshua for these gorgeous photos of their wedding at York Mansion House in May.

Alyce and Joshua said: "We got married at York Mansion House on 15th May and the staff couldn’t do enough for us. They were so accommodating and made our special day run smoothly and be so memorable. The communication up to the day was quick and comprehensive and nothing seemed too much trouble. Thank you to all involved."

We're happy we were able to make your day so special and wish you all the best for the future 💕

We were delighted to host the very first wedding ceremony in our Drawing Room recently - a perfect location for a very s...
11/06/2026

We were delighted to host the very first wedding ceremony in our Drawing Room recently - a perfect location for a very small or elopement wedding.

Denise and Shane said: "We had an absolutely wonderful day and found the Drawing Room to be exactly what we were looking for; such a personal and intimate location, which made the day feel even more special."

Most of our weddings take place in our gorgeous State Room, but we're fully licensed for civil ceremonies throughout the building and it was lovely to be able to provide a beautiful alternative space.

Congratulations to Denise and Shane - we loved hosting your special day! 💕

07/06/2026

Magic and mystery surround the discovery of dessicated cat remains found during 21st century restoration works at the Mansion House.

The cat, since christened “Moggy Mortis”, was found with hazelnut shells around her, an arrangement suggesting her body was placed in the building after her death to ward off bad luck - an example of “apotropaic” magic.

Evidence suggests the cat was hidden around the 1830s, and that she was not deliberately killed for this practice.

A series of other objects which were found during the building work can be seen with the cat in our “cabinet of curiosities”, hidden behind one of the grand paintings in the State Room.

We’ve been looking at objects around the house as part of , which ends today.

Next time you’re in the middle of York, come in and see them - and you’ll find many more! We’re open Wednesday-Sunday, 10.30am-5pm.

Venue FeatureYork Mansion House offers an unparalleled wedding experience combining vibrant city-centre convenience with...
05/06/2026

Venue Feature

York Mansion House offers an unparalleled wedding experience combining vibrant city-centre convenience with nearly 300 years of breathtaking Georgian luxury. Situated directly on St Helen’s Square, this historic masterpiece, the official residence of the Lord Mayor of York, serves as a magnificent backdrop for your civil ceremony.

Book your registrars https://ceremonies.york.gov.uk/civil-partnerships-marriages/book-wedding-civil-partnership-ceremony

York Mansion House

05/06/2026

With links to dragons and Dracula, this sword brings the drama!

We’re looking at a selection of favourite objects around the house for .

The Sigismund Sword is said to have been owned by the Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund, who set up the Order of the Dragon in 1408 to protect Hungary and later the Holy Roman Empire from the rise of the Ottoman Empire.

The father of Vlad Dracula (aka Vlad the Impaler) was a member and the name Dracula means “son of the dragon”. You can see six silver gilt dragons on the scabbard of the sword.

The sword eventually made its way to York and has been used as a ceremonial sword on occasions such as Mayor Making and Remembrance Sunday.

03/06/2026

George Washington had one at Mount Vernon - and we have one at the Mansion House…

For today’s focus on favourite objects around the house, we’re looking at the smoke jack in our historic kitchen, a labour-free cooking device powered by hot air.

Although the smoke jack is no longer in use, our team do cookery demonstrations in the kitchen using Georgian recipes twice daily, when you can find out more about life in an 18th Century kitchen.

11.30am and 2.30pm, Weds-Sunday.



George Washington's Mount Vernon

02/06/2026

A new event for this year’s York Georgian Festival, this free bookable riverside walk by York's Hidden History is inspired by The New Terrace Walk, a painting by Nathan Drake which hangs in the Dining Room at York Mansion House [credit: York Museums Trust (York Art Gallery)]

The New Walk Terrace was built in 1730 by the city corporation as a place for people to promenade along the river.

Free admission to the Mansion House is included with the walk booking so you can admire the painting - and others including The Old Bridge over the River Ouse - close-up!

10.30am Friday 7 August

yorkgeorgianfestival.co.uk

York Art Gallery

Our volunteers really do make a difference, giving their time, enthusiasm and knowledge to help us show visitors the del...
02/06/2026

Our volunteers really do make a difference, giving their time, enthusiasm and knowledge to help us show visitors the delights of the Mansion House.

Geoff has worked with us for 15 years, most recently as a room guide, and enjoys meeting people and sharing his love of history. He's also led tours and even acted in murder mystery events, dressing up as a Lord Mayor!

A big thank you to Geoff and to all our volunteers ❤️

01/06/2026

This Christmas gift tin still contains the Rowntree’s chocolate it was filled with in 1914, as part of a huge mission to boost the morale of York people serving in the First World War.

We’re taking a look at some favourite objects around York Mansion House for this year’s .

The chocolate tins were sent out to people around the world by the Lord Mayor of York John Bowes Morrell, who had become a Director at Rowntree’s age 24, and the Sheriff, Oscar Rowntree, from the famous chocolate manufacturing family.

Each tin was decorated with the inscription, “The Lord Mayor of York John Bowes Morrell and the Sheriff Oscar F Rowntree send best wishes for a happy Christmas and a bright New Year to all York men who are serving their King and Country Christmas 1914”.

The gifts aimed to make the recipients feel remembered by and connected to their city and we know how much the gifts were appreciated, as more than 250 letters of thanks were sent to the Lord Mayor afterwards.

This tin belonged to Private Leslie Peacock who survived the war, but who never touched the chocolate inside!

MuseumWeek Visit York

York Pride 2026 🏳️‍🌈📸 view from the top of York Mansion House this morning
30/05/2026

York Pride 2026 🏳️‍🌈

📸 view from the top of York Mansion House this morning

Address

St Helen's Square
York
YO19QL

Opening Hours

Wednesday 10:30am - 5pm
Thursday 10:30am - 5pm
Friday 10:30am - 5pm
Saturday 10:30am - 5pm
Sunday 10:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+441904553663

Website

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