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

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December 2024
January 2025

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

Exterior
Point of interest
TV, fireplace, books
4 bedrooms, iron/ironing board, WiFi, bed sheets
Outdoor dining

Reviews

10 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

4 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • Washer
    Washer
  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grill
  • Pet-friendly
    Pet-friendly
  • Outdoor space
    Outdoor space
  • Kitchen
    Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
York, ENG
  • York Minster
    1 min walk
  • Shambles
    5 min walk
  • York St. John University
    5 min walk
  • Harrogate (HRT-RAF Linton-on-Ouse)
    25 min drive

Room options

About the area

York

With a stay at this vacation home, you'll be centrally located in York, steps from York Minster and 5 minutes by foot from Shambles. .This family-friendly vacation home is 0.5 mi (0.7 km) from York City Walls and 1.8 mi (2.9 km) from York Racecourse.

What's nearby

  • York Minster - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Shambles - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • York St. John University - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • York Christmas Market - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • York City Walls - 9 min walk - 0.8 km

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪House of the Trembling Madness - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Love Cheese - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Côte - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Bootham Tavern - ‬3 min walk

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!
Make yourself comfortable in this vacation home, which features a fireplace. A kitchen is outfitted with a refrigerator, an oven, and a stovetop. Conveniences include a phone, as well as a microwave and an electric kettle.
Take in the views from a garden and make use of amenities such as barbecue grills.
Guests will find features like internet access and onsite parking.

Property manager

Jane and Steve (Boxing Hare Ltd.)

Languages

English

Property amenities

Internet

  • WiFi available

Parking and transport

  • On-site parking
  • Car not required

Kitchen

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

Bedrooms

  • 4 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided

Bathrooms

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Hairdryer
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • TV with cable/satellite service
  • Games
  • Books

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue
  • Garden

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer
  • Near a laundromat

Comfort

  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone

Location highlights

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

Things to do

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

Safety features

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

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

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

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 23 out of 24 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 24 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 24 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 24 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 24 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Patricia H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic beutifull home
Well what can i say the house is just perfect just beutifull a joy to stay in Great location for everything
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sandra C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Absolutely stunning location m
This 300 year old row house is within 2 minutes of the Munster and 8 minutes of anywhere in York. Well appointed with French coffee press so breakfast was wonderful
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Linda S., Saint Charles

Liked: Cleanliness
Heart of York
This property is in the perfect location to explore all of York on foot. Jane & Stephen were such thoughtful hosts and made us feel welcome in this cozy home. All we had to do was enjoy everything York has to offer, all within walking distance. We were so comfortable in this home and if we are fortunate to return to York, we would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Melanie K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect Charm Next to the Minster!
It is hard to put into words how much we enjoyed our stay and how it defied our every expectation! The house is not only absolutely beautiful, but even the smallest details have been attended to. Jane and Steve quite literally thought of everything from tea and coffee, to fresh milk in the fridge, to welcome and delicious goodies for the family. We are a large family and had more than enough room to spread out and comfortably sleep. Large, well appointed bedrooms, and multiple bathrooms were wonderful! We honestly didn’t want to leave! When you open the door and step outside, the Minster is immediately on the right and couldn’t be any closer. Truly, a dream holiday and location in every sense of the word and we absolutely plan on coming back!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

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

10/10 Excellent

Anna M.

Fabulous, fabulous...
fabulous!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2017

10/10 Excellent

Mrs B.

Superb!!!
We rented the apartment to celebrate 🙌 a 70th birthday 🎂. We found it very welcoming and extremely comfortable. An excellent location for the Minster, shopping and pubs and restaurants. York is a lovely place to be and having somewhere nice to stay was the icing on the cake.. Thank you.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2017

10/10 Excellent

Shelley F.

A beautiful home in the equally beautiful York
We had such a wonderful stay. It was the perfect setting for pre-wedding photos, and I'm going to treasure the memories of getting dressed on my wedding day in this glorious house. The owners are superb, swiftly answering any queries and providing us with everything we could need for a comfortable stay. The location could not be better, with the exquisite Minster on the doorstep. This house is highly recommended as an extra special base for a visit to York. Thank you so much for your hospitality. You made a dream day utterly perfect.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2017

10/10 Excellent

Susan and Earl S., Auckland

A great property in a fantastic location
The apartment couldnt be located in a better place for visiting York. There are so many resturants, cafe's and bars within a 10 minute walk that it was easy to find a new place to experience dinner in each night. The apartment also also comes with a parking permit so that we were able to rent a car and easily explore Castle Howard, the moors and the beaches. We also enjoyed the little food and wine gift on arrival and thought that the apartment had everything you need to make a great holiday even better.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2017

10/10 Excellent

Karen T., Seattle, WA

Beautiful property with the absolute best location!!
The owners have done a wonderful job mondernizing the house to bring their guests luxury including the kitchen and bathrooms as well as providing such comfortable beds. The location next to the Minster is unbelievable and we loved York!! Wonderful house and we would love to return and stay, again and again!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2017

10/10 Excellent

Lisa W.

Amazing house, can't wait to return!
We absolutely loved our stay at 2 Precentor Court. The location just can't be beaten. I've stayed in lots of holiday homes & this was the cleanest. House full of character & decorated beautifully. Beds very comfy with lovely linen. Thank you for the Prosecco & cakes from Betty's!

10/10 Excellent

Denise T.

Stunning property in superb location
This stunning house with beautiful architectural and historic features is the perfect place to stay in York. We picked up the parking permit, got rid of the car and thoroughly enjoyed spending the week exploring on foot. It's so conveniently located that you can enjoy York at quieter times like first thing in the morning or early evening. I'm sure we'll visit York again and I won't be wasting time looking for hotels or rental properties. This is where we'll be staying from now on! Thank you for a lovely week.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2016

10/10 Excellent

alan G.

Fabulous
The rental was in an excellent location. The house was comfortable, clean and well laid out. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a get away to York
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2016

10/10 Excellent

Karen F.

Beautiful House! Central to everything!
Stayed in this Beautiful house for 4 nights with my Husband and 2 sisters and her Husband. The location is fantastic! Located in a quiet street just beside York Minster. Within easy walking distance to all the shops and restaurants. The house is very comfortable and I would definitely go back.

10/10 Excellent

Shirley H.

Spectacular celebration in York
We booked this property to celebrate my husbands 60th birthday with our 3 adult children and their partners. We have stayed in various properties having spent many holidays over 30 years in York and this property surpassed all our expectations. Everything was perfect very good quality accomodation, clean, spacious and most of all warm given this was early January. We had concerns regarding 8 adults and having our own space but we needn't have worried. The property is over 3 floors so not for the elderly or infirm but great for our family affording plenty space to relax and spend time together. The only thing I would say is that the sitting room could perhaps have more comfortable chairs and brighter lights for reading. This did not deter from us enjoying our stay as we spent most time congregating in the very large and cosy kitchen. The location was perfect and instructions given was easy to find, right next to the Minster meaning we could leave our cars and pop back to the house anytime during the day after sightseeing. On Sunday morning the Minster bells rang from 8am until midday but it was so beautiful we didn't mind the early wake up call. The special touches of buscuits,cake, milk and prosecco on our arrival was very welcome and we bought some cake and buscuits to take home too as they were so delicious. Plenty restaurants and bars for all tastes. We had an absolutely fantastic time here which made the occasion even more special. York is my husbands favourite place and our children often visit too but this has been the most spectacular accomodation overall. Visit the house of the trembling madness for various beers and great atmosphere. Thank you for all the hospitality and a very special time in York I would have no hesitation recommending this accomodation. Shirley hamilton
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2016