Fairfax House

Is it right for my child?

• Who it suits: the rooms are full of furniture, clocks and paintings from the Noel Terry collection. It suits children who enjoy looking closely.
• Christmas mouse hunt: from 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, the house hosts A Christmas Tail: The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse. It is inspired by Aesop’s fable. Hundreds of mice are hidden around the house, each in an outfit hand-stitched by volunteers, and visitors try to spot them all.
• Family trails in the holidays: in 2026 the house ran an animal trail and Georgian dressing up at Easter, and a mouse-spotting trail over the summer holidays. Both were included in the entry ticket.
• Toddlers and babies: be realistic. There are six stone steps at the entrance and 29 steps to the first floor. There is no lift and no toilet, and pushchairs stay at reception. In our view, that makes it easier with children who can manage stairs.
• Space: pushchairs are not allowed because of the size of the rooms. It can be busy in school holidays and at Christmas.

Plan your visit: a parent’s checklist

• Check the date. The Christmas display runs from 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. Check tickets before you go.
• Book ahead in school holidays and at Christmas. Walk-ins are welcome, but you may be asked to return later if it is busy.
• Use the toilet before you arrive. There are no toilets on site.
• Expect to leave the pushchair at reception.
• Bring ID and keep your ticket. You sign it on your first visit, and you need it and your ID to come back free within the year.
• Leave the flash off. Photos are welcome, but flash photography is not.
• Book online for up to 8 people. Larger groups need to email the house.

Prices and tickets

Children 16 and under go free with a paying adult. One paid ticket gives 12 months of general admission, and you can visit as many times as you like in that year.

• Adults: £9.50.
• Students and 65s and over: £8.50. Students must show a valid student ID.
• York Card and Museums Association holders: £6.80 for general admission.
• Free entry: carers with a paying disabled person, York Pass holders, Historic Houses members, York Civic Trust members and Friends of Fairfax House.
• Christmas display: A Christmas Tail is shown at the standard £9.50 adult price, and children 16 and under still go free with a paying adult.
• Christmas by Candlelight: an evening visit on 16, 18 and 21 December 2026, from 5pm to 7pm. Tickets cost £15 for adults, £12 for concessions, £6 for children and nothing for carers. Last admission is 6.15pm, and pre-booking is advised. This is a separate ticket, and the annual ticket does not cover special events.
• Return visits: tickets are personal, and a lost ticket cannot be replaced.

Pushchairs, babies and toilets

• No pushchairs inside. The team will store your pushchair at the front desk during your visit.
• Steps: entry is up six stone steps with a handrail. The house has two floors, with 29 steps up to the first floor, and there is no lift.
• No toilets on site. The official pages do not mention baby changing, which is not surprising with no toilets.
• Nearby public toilets: Fairfax House says the Coppergate Centre is close by. The council’s Coppergate Shopping Centre toilets have baby change, cost 50p and open 9am to 5pm from October to March. Their Radar key toilet is not suitable for wheelchair users.
• Bags: free lockers take smaller items, and the front desk can keep larger bags.

Food and drink

The official pages do not mention a café or a picnic area. The gift shop is the first stop on your visit, next to the visitor services desk. The house is close to the Coppergate Centre, so plan to eat before or after your visit.

Getting there and parking

• Address: Fairfax House, Castlegate, York YO1 9RN, opposite Clifford’s Tower and close to JORVIK Viking Centre.
• By train: the house is less than a 10 minute walk from York station.
• Park and Ride: York has five Park and Ride sites. Up to two children under 16 travel free with an adult.
• Car parks: Castle Car Park is directly opposite, and Fenwick’s car park is two minutes away.
• Castle Car Park prices: charges apply from 8am to midnight every day. Sunday to Thursday costs £5 for up to an hour and £10 for up to 2 hours. On Fridays, Saturdays and event days it costs £5.50 and £10.90. Evening rates apply from 6pm.
• Blue Badge: Castle Car Park has 30 Blue Badge bays. Blue Badge holders can park free in any bay, for as long as they want.
• By bike: there are uncovered cycle stands next to the house.

When to visit

• Christmas installation closure: 2 to 13 November 2026. Reopening date: Saturday 14 November 2026.
• Christmas season: A Christmas Tail runs from 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. On 11 November the booking calendar had tickets every day except 24, 25, 26 and 31 December and 1 January.
• Opening hours: 10am to 5pm, with last entry at 4.15pm. On Sundays it opens 11am to 4pm, with last entry at 3.15pm.
• Fridays: the Friday Guided Tours page describes Fridays as a time the house is closed to the public. On 11 November the Christmas booking calendar showed Friday entry slots, so check before a Friday visit.
• After 3 January 2027: on 11 November the booking site did not yet show general admission dates, so check before you plan a January visit.

Additional needs and disability support

Fairfax House offers some practical help, but it is open about its limits.

Frequently asked questions

Is Fairfax House free for children?

Yes. Children 16 and under go free with a paying adult. Adults pay £9.50, and the ticket lasts 12 months.

Can you take a pushchair into Fairfax House?

No. Pushchairs are not allowed inside because of the size of the rooms. Staff will store your pushchair at the front desk while you look round.

Are there toilets at Fairfax House?

No. There are no toilets on site. The council’s Coppergate Shopping Centre public toilets nearby have baby change and cost 50p.

What age is Fairfax House suitable for?

The official pages do not set an age guide, and children 16 and under go free. With toddlers, plan for steps, no lift, no toilets and no pushchairs inside. Holiday trails, such as the Christmas mouse hunt, give children something to look for.

Is Fairfax House open over Christmas 2026?

Yes. A Christmas Tail runs from 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. On 11 November the booking calendar showed no tickets on 24 to 26 December, 31 December or 1 January.

How long do you need at Fairfax House?

Fairfax House says most visits take 45 minutes to 1 hour. Clifford’s Tower is just across the road.

Checked on 11 November 2026 against the official Fairfax House home, plan your visit, what’s on, A Christmas Tail and Christmas by Candlelight pages, its booking site, and the City of York Council pages for Castle Car Park and Coppergate toilets. Prices and times can change, so check before you travel.