York Homestay

11/09/2026

The weather is getting very autumnal isn't it? Who is with me and can't decide what to wear? Fortunately, there are some lovely walks and cycle routes from my doorstep so before heading out to walk around the local lake, I can just pop out of the door and feel which way the wind is blowing!

And I wore a tee shirt 👕

11/09/2026

⛸️ Festive News: Ice Skating is Returning to York City Centre!
If you’re planning a winter trip to York, there’s extra magic in the air this Christmas season. 🎄✨

For the first time in 16 years, an outdoor ice rink is returning right to the heart of the city in the beautiful York Museum Gardens! Run by the team at Thor’s Tipi, Thor's On Ice features a clear covered rink so you can skate under the stars whatever the weather, right next to their cozy alpine tipi bar.

Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland at the Designer Outlet is also back for its 21st year, featuring the largest real-ice rink in the region, a vintage funfair, and a massive 30ft Christmas tree!

Whether you’re wrapping up warm for a stroll through the Shambles, hitting the ice, or curling up after a day of festive shopping, York is the ultimate winter getaway. ☕🧣

📍 Book your cozy winter stay with us directly or drop us a message for current availability!

11/09/2026

I saw Christmas Decorations already in Home Bargains! Yes! Christmas is coming!! 💝

⚠️Warning: Excessive Carolling Ahead ⚠️

Every year, at about this time, we announce some very special events, services, and activities. Think candlelight and Christmas trees, Advent wreaths and antiphons, decked halls and descants... 🎄🎄

Look, all we're saying is that you might want to sign up to our mailing list and check your inbox this time next week 👀

Sign up here 👉https://yorkminster.org/sign-up/

10/09/2026

They're back 👻😱

04/09/2026

🧚🏼🍰My guest believes there's a cake fairy in the house! 🏡

Does anyone else just do a standard sponge? No recipe needed? I guess it's a pound cake. This one is a chocolate one.🍫 So easy! So light 🪶

175g of softened butter
125g of self raising flour and 50g of cocoa powder
175g of sugar
175g of eggs weighed in their shell to as close as you can get it but not to worry if you can't. It's about 3 eggs.

You'll need 2 x round sandwich tins measuring approx 20cms. Line them with a piece of baking paper.

Preheat your oven to 150° fan.

Beat together your eggs and sugar.
Add in your eggs and beat
Add in the flour and beat for 2 mins max.
Split into the tins equally and bake for 20 to 25 mins until baked through.

Sandwich and top with whatever you like. I've used vanilla buttercream to sandwich the cake and topped it with dark chocolate melted with butter and a crack of sea salt.

It won't last long!

29/08/2026

Chocolate + Orange = match made in baking heaven. 🍫🍊
​If only smellavision (or "Smellnet"?) was a real thing, your feed would be filled with the scent of fresh cocoa and citrus right now!
​This traybake is as easy as cake to throw together. Save this recipe for your baking for family, friends and guests! 👇
​The Sponge:
​175g butter
​175g soft brown sugar
​110g self-raising flour
​½ tsp baking powder
​65g cocoa powder
​1 tsp orange essence
​4 eggs
​Mix with an electric whisk for 2 mins (don't over-mix or it'll go claggy!), pour into a lined brownie tin, and bake at 150°C Fan for ~35 mins.
​The Ganache:
Heat 175g double cream until simmering at the edges, take off the heat, and stir in 175g chopped chocolate until glossy. Add a drop of orange essence if you fancy! Let it cool, whisk until light and fluffy, and spread over the cooled cake.
​Top with Chocolate Orange pieces and serve! ☕✨

29/08/2026

Planning a September getaway to York? 🍂✨
​Autumn is a wonderful time to explore the city, and September is packed with fantastic local events. Whether you’re a book lover, classic car enthusiast, antique collector, or keen walker, here is what’s happening around York during your stay:
​📚 York National Book Fair (11th & 12th September)
Location: York Racecourse
The UK’s largest rare and antiquarian book fair! Browse thousands of rare finds, prints, and maps. Entry is just £2 on the door, and free shuttle buses run regularly between Memorial Gardens (near the station) and the racecourse. Details at www.yorkbookfair.com
​🚗 York Historic Vehicle Group Annual Rally (13th September, 10am–4pm)
Location: Bustardthorpe Field, York Racecourse (Knavesmire)
York’s biggest classic vehicle show! Head down to the Knavesmire to admire hundreds of historic cars, vintage buses, classic motorbikes, and club stands, plus auto-jumble stalls and refreshments. Learn more at www.yhvg.uk
​🥾 York Walking Festival (19th September – 4th October)
Location: Across York
Lace up your boots! Featuring a broad lineup of free guided walks—from wildlife wanderings and mindful photography walks to deep dives into local history and archaeology. Check out the schedule at www.itravelyork.info/yorkwalkingfestival
​🍷💎 Tennants Free Valuation Day (22nd September, 11am–3pm)
Location: The Bar Convent (17 Blossom St)
Have a hidden treasure at home? Bring along your jewellery, glass, ceramics, fine w**e, wh**ky, antiques, or collectables for a free auction valuation by Tennants’ team of specialists. No appointment needed! Full details at www.tennants.co.uk/discover/events-exhibitions/valuation-day-at-the-bar-convent-york/
​🏡 Staying with us this autumn?
We’d love to host your York adventure! Drop us a message to check availability or ask for our personal local recommendations.
​Which event are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments below! 👇
​

29/08/2026

🍁 Planning an autumn trip to Europe's most haunted city? Here is what's waiting for you! 🕸️

Autumn is arguably the most magical time to experience York. The cobblestones are glistening, the air is crisp, and the city’s famous history truly comes alive.

If you are staying at our homestay this October or November, here are the top spooky highlights you won't want to miss:

👻 Ghosts in the Gardens: As you can see from our photo taken in the Museum Gardens, spectacular mesh ghosts have taken over the city! Hunt for all 70 sculptures hidden across York’s historic grounds. Learn more about the trail here: https://theyorkbid.com

🕵️‍♂️ The Little York Ghost Hunt: Running during Ghost Week, join the twilight search around York Minster to find and keep your very own hidden handcrafted little ghost! Keep an eye on updates from the York Ghost Merchants here: https://yorkghostmerchants.com

🏰 Ghosts After Dark: From November 4th – 8th, all 70 sculptures gather in the Museum Gardens for a beautifully lit evening event featuring live storytellers and an autumn night market.

Our cozy homestay is the perfect base to warm up with a hot drink after a night of ghost hunting. ☕✨

📅 Spaces fill up fast around Halloween! Send us a DM to secure your autumn stay.

27/08/2026

Love exploring York, but hate city-centre traffic, parking stress, and noisy nights? 🔑✨
Stay just outside the busy center and enjoy the best of both worlds: quiet, comfortable living with effortless access straight into the heart of the city!
Why guests love staying here:
🚍 15 Mins to City Centre: 5-min walk to Park & Ride bus
🚗 Free Parking: Right outside your door
📶 Free High-Speed WiFi: Stay connected seamlessly
🔒 Total Security: Dual inside & outside locking doors
🛏️ Self-Contained Comfort: Comfy double bed facing a large TV
🚿 Private En-Suite: Fresh towels, toiletries & hairdryer included
🍽️ Eat-In Convenience: Kettle, mini-fridge, microwave, crockery & tea/coffee selection
🛒 Local Essentials: Shops & 9pm convenience store nearby
All the benefits of a small flat—without the city-centre price tag!
📅 Rooms fill up fast for upcoming dates—book early to secure your stay!
👉 Follow Homestay
Psst!.... I'm an Airbnb Superhost and I use Airbnb to book my own stays too. www.airbnb.com

Here is a selection of our double rooms with ensuite bathroom

🛌🏼🛁🚿🅿️airbnb.com/h/yorkhomestay1 (this room has off road parking 🅿️ too)

🛌🏼🚿airbnb.com/h/yorkhomestay3

🛌🏼🚿airbnb.com/h/yorkhomestayuk

🅿️🚿🛌🏼airbnb.com/h/homeyork (this unit has a full kitchen for cooking, bath with shower over, and off road parking 🅿️)

🏡Need a full home?

Sleeps 8 in 4 double beds with 4 bathrooms! airbnb.com/h/yorkhome44

Sleeps 9+ in this lovely spacious 5 bedroom 4 bathroom family home!
airbnb.com/h/5bedfamilyhomeyork

25/08/2026

👻Apparently, the ghost of a young girl is said to continue to look for her gatekeeper Father's keys to the gates! 🗝️ Have you seen her?