Haunted Hosts

The Guy Fawkes Inn occupies one of the most historically charged locations in York, standing directly opposite St Michael le Belfrey church on High Petergate, mere steps from York Minster. The building's primary claim to fame centres on Guy Fawkes, the notorious conspirator of the 1605 Gunpowder Plot, who was baptised at St Michael le Belfrey on 16th April 1570. A blue plaque on the property and extensive tourist material proclaim the 16th-century cottage in the beer garden as his birthplace. However, City of York historic building records note that No. 25 High Petergate was formerly wrongly identified as the birthplace of Guy Fawkes. The cottage, sometimes listed separately as Guy Fawkes Cottage, remains attached to the rear of the main building and forms part of the guest accommodation today. The architectural history of the site proves complex. The main structure at No. 25 has been extensively obscured by later extensions over the centuries, making precise dating of original elements difficult. What survives provides a glimpse into Tudor York, when High Petergate served as one of the city's principal thoroughfares leading to the Minster. The building's transformation into a public house capitalised on the Fawkes connection, and the inn has operated under this name for generations. The property contains 13 guest rooms split between the main inn building and the cottage. Its position on York's historic ghost walk routes has cemented its reputation as one of the city's most visited haunted establishments. The Belfry Suite, named for its proximity to and views of St Michael le Belfrey, has become particularly notorious among paranormal enthusiasts.