Gunpowder, treason and quaff at the Guy Fawkes Inn, birthplace of the infamous plotter.
What to expect at Guy Fawkes Inn
Of the many grand old pubs of York, few have the historical significance of the Guy Fawkes Inn, birthplace of one of the most notorious figures of English history. Although the main body of the pub is a Georgian terrace built in 1700 – almost a century after his execution – Guido (Guy) Fawkes was born in 1570 in a cottage to the rear, which forms part of the Inn.
As is to be expected, the Guy Fawkes Inn is wonderfully atmospheric and it certainly makes the most of its notable heritage. In several cosy rooms, wooden floors and oak furniture are accompanied by an open fire (writing on the wall reads, “Sit by the fire where you can conspire”), gunpowder barrels and even an effigy of a cloaked figure in the eerie white mask that has become synonymous with Fawkes. To the rear, an elaborate dining room serves up great fare, and, in the back yard, a narrow beer garden is adorned with a mural featuring the gunpowder plotters. Interestingly, as a former residence of Fawkes, the Inn is forbidden from celebrating Bonfire Night!
If you’d like to stay, 13 beautiful rooms are available, including the aforementioned Guy Fawkes Cottage. But… beware! The Inn is rumoured to be haunted!
What’s to drink at Guy Fawkes Inn?
It’s not all about history at Guy Fawkes Inn – food and drink quality is paramount. The Inn is consistently serving superb beer. There are six handpumps – Best Bitter from Black Sheep Brewery (Masham) Timothy Taylor’s (Keighley) Landlord, plus four rotating guest ales, frequently showcasing local breweries such as Ossett Brewery and Brew York. We chose a favourite of ours, Black Sheep Blonde, and couldn’t resist the Inn’s own Guy Fawkes Bitter, which we thoroughly enjoyed. In addition, there's an extensive wine and spirits menu.
What’s to eat at Guy Fawkes Inn?
Guy Fawkes Inn offers a Monday-Thursday daytime menu, an evening and weekend à la catre menu and Sunday lunch. The former has a great-value set price for two or three courses of good-quality pub food. The AA Rosette-awarded à la carte balances hearty food with fine dining in an elegant candlelit dining room overlooking the magnificent York Minster. Their signature Guy Fawkes Steak Pie is famous around the city and definitely worth a try. The menus can be viewed here.
Where can I find Guy Fawkes Inn?
Guy Fawkes Inn is on Petergate in York city centre, close to the historic St Michael Le Belfrey Church and the impressive York Minster. It’s a 15-minute walk from the train station and less than 10 minutes from the multi-storey Q-Park Shambles carpark.
Guy Fawkes Inn, York: Summary
- Great beers and ales
- Dog-friendly
- Beer garden
- AA Rosette restaurant
- Sunday lunch
- York city centre
- Wonderful history
Where can I find out more information or make a reservation?
Follow the Guy Fawkes Inn’s Facebook and Instagram pages to keep up to date with the latest info. Make a restaurant or room reservation on their website.
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