Treasurer’s House is the most elegant small museum in York and a surprise just yards from the Minster. It stands on Minster Yard and was once the mansion of the medieval treasurers of York Minster, with foundations that sit on the remains of Roman York. In 1897 the wealthy industrialist Frank Green bought the house and turned it into an eclectic showpiece, filling it with antiques, furniture and art, and it later became the first property the National Trust received together with its collection. Today the house has thirteen historic rooms, including a Great Hall, a William and Mary staircase, a tapestry room and a blue drawing room, and each is packed with detail. The small city garden outside, with stone statues, an avenue of plane trees and muted planting, has won gold awards in the Yorkshire in Bloom competition and is a calm place to sit. The downstairs café serves drinks and cakes with second-hand books to browse. The house is known for its Christmas display, in which the rooms are dressed in an Edwardian theme that changes from year to year.
How to visit
The house is on Minster Yard, a short walk through Deans Park or the Minster Precinct, and about half a mile from the railway station. From April to October it is open by guided tour only, with the last tour starting mid-afternoon, and tour places are limited, so booking ahead is recommended, although you can check for same-day availability on arrival.
In winter the house opens for self-guided visits and is dressed for Christmas. National Trust members and children under five go in free, and other passes, including the Visit York Pass, are accepted but must be presented on the day.
What to expect
Allow about an hour for the house and a little longer if you want to sit in the garden or the café. The house has steps and staircases and only a handful of rooms on the ground floor, so access is limited, though the garden and the shop have level access and the staff can advise on what is possible. Only assistance dogs are allowed in the house and café, while dogs on leads are welcome in the garden. Facilities include an induction loop, large-print materials and seating.
Making the most of it
Join a guided tour in the main season, as the guides explain the Frank Green story and the house’s unexpected contradictions. The garden is free to enter on open days, which makes it a good place for a coffee after the Minster. Pair the visit with the Minster, Grays Court and the city walls, which are all a few minutes away, and book early in December, when Christmas tickets are in demand.
What to expect
The experience
A guided tour from spring to autumn, and a self-guided visit in winter, of a thirteen-room historic townhouse with a hidden garden.
Best time
A weekday in the main season for a guided tour, or early December for the Christmas display.
How long
About an hour for the house, longer with the garden and café.
Tips
Book a tour ahead in the main season, check access if you have limited mobility and bring any Visit York Pass or National Trust card.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Interiors fans, National Trust members and anyone looking for a calm stop beside the Minster.
- Families
- Best for older children who enjoy period rooms, as the house has stairs and many delicate objects.
- Couples
- The garden and the elegant rooms make a quiet, romantic hour near the Minster.
- Pair with
- York Minster and a walk along the city walls from Bootham Bar.
- Time needed
- One to one and a half hours.
Good questions
Do I need a tour to visit Treasurer’s House?+
From April to October the house is open by guided tour only. In winter you can visit at your own pace, and advance booking is recommended because places are limited.
Is the garden at Treasurer’s House free?+
The garden is free to enter on open days, and the downstairs café does not need a house ticket.
Who was Frank Green?+
Frank Green was the wealthy owner who bought the house in 1897 and filled it with antiques and art, and the house later became the first National Trust property given with its collection.
Is Treasurer’s House accessible?+
Most rooms are reached by steps, and the ground floor has only a few showrooms and reception. The garden and the shop have level access.
Does Treasurer’s House take the Visit York Pass?+
Yes, it accepts the Visit York Pass and National Trust membership, but you must present them on the day.
