York Mansion House

Is it right for my child?

• Who it suits: the house says it is suitable for all ages. Visitors explore four floors of 18th century history, from the Georgian kitchen to the gold and silver collection.
• What children may enjoy: a recreated 18th century kitchen in the basement, with an interactive section where you cook your own digital 18th century meal.
• Odd objects to spot: a solid silver chamber pot from 1672, and a 1914 Rowntree’s chocolate box with the chocolate still inside.
• A note for sensitive children: one display is a mummified cat found under a floor. The house says it died of natural causes. It sits next to an old shoe, likely a good luck symbol.
• Cookery demonstrations: the visit page says these run daily at 11.30am. The what’s on page says demos normally take place at 11.30am and 2.30pm, so check the times on the day.
• Trails: the house runs seasonal trails through the year. Its what’s on page, read on 12 November 2026, listed no upcoming dated children’s trail.

Plan your visit: a parent’s checklist

• Pick a Wednesday to Sunday. It is usually closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, but opens on 21 and 22 December 2026 and 8 and 9 February 2027.
• Check before you travel. The house is occasionally closed for private functions, and it suggests contacting the team in advance (01904 553663).
• Arrive by 4pm. Opening hours are 10.30am to 5pm, with last admission at 4pm.
• Bring proof of address or a York Card if you live in York, for 50% off.
• Need step-free entry? Ring the street-level bell at the back of the house during opening hours, and staff will show you to the lift.

Prices and tickets

Under 5s go free for general admission. These tickets are bought at the admission desk when you arrive, and the house says there is no need to pre-book.

• Adults: £7.
• Children aged 5 and over: £3.50.
• Concessions: £5.50, for over 65s and for students aged 16 or over in full-time education.
• Family ticket: £18 for 2 adults and up to 3 children.
• York residents: 50% off with proof of address or a York Card. That makes adults £3.50, children aged 5 and over £1.75, concessions £2.75 and a family ticket £9.
• Discounts: English Heritage members and City Sightseeing ticket holders get 25% off admission.
• Annual passes: adults £20, concessions £16 and families (2 adults and up to 3 children) £45. One child goes free with an adult pass. York residents pay £10, £8 and £23.
• Carers: the ticket page does not mention a carer ticket.
• Festive house tour: a guided tour of the decorated house, ending with a Georgian gingerbread demonstration in the kitchen. It runs from 2.30pm to 3.45pm on selected Fridays and Sundays from 15 November to 13 December 2026. Tickets cost £12, including non-alcoholic mulled wine and a mince pie. On 12 November, the booking page for the 15 November tour showed one £12 ticket type, with no child price.

Pushchairs, babies and toilets

• Steps at the front: the main entrance is up 6 steps, with handrails on both sides. The pavements around the house are paved and cobbled.
• Lift: step-free access is at the back of the house. Ring the street-level bell during opening hours and a team member will take you to the lift. All 4 floors can be reached by the lift and a flexi-step.
• Pushchairs: the official pages do not mention pushchairs. The access page does not say whether families with pushchairs can use the back entrance, so call 01904 553663 before you go.
• Toilets: the accessible toilets are on the first floor.
• Baby changing: the official pages do not mention baby changing.

Food and drink

The official pages do not mention a café or a picnic area. Plan to eat before or after your visit. The kitchen cookery demonstrations are for watching. The festive tour ticket includes a mince pie and a drink.

Getting there and parking

• Address: York Mansion House, St Helen’s Square, York YO1 9QL.
• By train: the house is a 10 minute walk from York station.
• No parking on site. The house names Esplanade car park (YO26 4ZP) as its nearest, a 5 minute walk away.
• Esplanade car park: 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. It is pay and display (coins, a card machine or pay by phone), with a 2.1 metre height limit and no toilets.
• Blue Badge: Esplanade has 5 Blue Badge bays. Blue Badge holders can park free in any bay, for as long as they want.
• Park and Ride: the council’s iTravelYork site says up to 3 children aged 16 or under travel free with a paying adult.

When to visit

• Usual hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 10.30am to 5pm, last admission 4pm. Usually closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
• Christmas week: the house opens on Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 December 2026.
• Winter closure: closed from Wednesday 23 December 2026 for winter conservation work. It reopens on Wednesday 20 January 2027.
• February: the house also opens on Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 February 2027.
• Private functions: the house occasionally closes for these, so contact the team first.

Additional needs and disability support

The house describes step-free access and a lift, and invites you to talk through your needs first.

Frequently asked questions

Is York Mansion House free for children?

Under 5s go free for general admission. Children aged 5 and over pay £3.50, or £1.75 for York residents. A family ticket for 2 adults and up to 3 children costs £18.

Do I need to book York Mansion House in advance?

Not for general admission. The house says there is no need to pre-book, and you pay at the desk on arrival. The festive house tour is booked separately online.

Is York Mansion House open over Christmas 2026?

It opens Wednesday to Sunday, plus Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 December. It closes from Wednesday 23 December 2026 and reopens on Wednesday 20 January 2027.

Can you take a pushchair into York Mansion House?

The official pages do not mention pushchairs. The front door is up 6 steps, and the step-free entrance with a lift is at the back of the house. Call 01904 553663 to ask before you go.

Are there toilets at York Mansion House?

Yes. The accessible toilets are on the first floor. The official pages do not mention baby changing.

Is there a café at York Mansion House?

The official pages do not mention a café, so plan to eat before or after your visit.

Checked on 12 November 2026 against the official York Mansion House visit and opening times, tickets, accessibility, getting here and what’s on pages, its festive tour booking page, and the City of York Council Esplanade car park page. Prices and times can change, so check before you travel.