Walking through the grounds of the hotel, you cross ground trodden three centuries ago by the widows of the freeman of York. You are treading the path of the workers at the 19th century sawmill and the place where some of the finest organs were built for the churches of York and beyond. You walk where Hans Hess, director of York City Art Gallery, entertained his friends and acquaintances from the art and performing worlds.

Each individual building is steeped in local heritage and history and has its own particular story to tell……

The room I stayed in was in the Chaplin House and it had recently been refurbished.  You can just about see from the picture that it had it’s own garden just outside the window.

Chaplin House (Grade II listed):

This elegant town house was built in the late 17th Century, in the originally extensive gardens of the Skeldergate House. It has been greatly reduced in size since 1850, by the removal of a block of buildings, possibly service quarters, from the back.  Rebuilding and alterations were necessary following war damage in 1942. Inside, the feature of note is the staircase, with turned balusters with square knops, a closed string, turned newels and a swept handrail.

Latterly the house was the residence of Hans Hess, a renowned art expert and former director of York City Art Gallery. It is here that he would entertain participants of the triennial York Festival of which he was artistic director from 1954 to 1966. Guests included Benjamin Britten, Peter Pears, Cleo Laine, Johnny Dankworth and Charlie Chaplin; one of the greatest laughter makers of all time. The period staircase leads to a further 9 en-suite bedrooms on three floors.

The hotel is in a peaceful location just outside the city and across the river, but all the city attractions are only five to ten minutes walk away. It was a nice place to stay and I am sure I will be back for another visit.