Video: You can now step back in time to Christmas past at this magically transformed York gem
One of York’s historical gems has had a magical festive makeover.
Head into Treasurer’s House in the shadow of York Minster this Christmas, and you can step back in time to soak up the festive décor.
The period rooms are transformed with beautiful decorations throughout – new for this year is a striking Christmas tree in the Great Hall reaching 20ft tall.
Visiting times and tickets
Treasurer’s House opens for Christmas every Saturday to Wednesday, noon to 4pm until 19 December 2021.
Booking not required to explore at your leisure. For further details call 01904 624247 or visit the festive webpage.
Elsewhere, find garlands, fruit and floral displays representing a different theme and giving each area its own identity.
As you explore look out for black and gold in the Queen’s Room, bedtime on Christmas Eve in the King’s Room, Frank Green’s reading nook in the West Sitting Room and a homemade Christmas from the servants.
Younger visitors are challenged to look out for hidden gingerbread characters, tucked away in plain sight, but sometimes to be seen in the strangest of places.
Rebecca Allott, visitor experience officer at Treasurer’s House said: “After a year without a Christmas offer, it’s been wonderful to have the dedicated National Trust volunteers working together to make paper hellebores, felt gingerbread characters and designing fireplace displays over the last few weeks.
“This year as a centrepiece there’s a new tree in the Great Hall, at 20 ft it can’t be missed, and we needed the help of a scaffold platform to decorate to the top.”
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Very much in the heart of the historic hub of York, wander along the cobbled streets behind the Minster to find this impressive townhouse and garden.
Treasurer’s House was saved by Yorkshire industrialist and intrepid traveller, Frank Green and the house you see today was restored when he bought three separate properties in 1897.
With his wealth and passion for history and antiques, Mr Green set about transforming them into one magnificent show-home for his extensive collection.
The festive décor works alongside the existing treasures inside the rooms and the design of the spaces.
From the moulded blown-glass chandelier that shimmers above the William and Mary staircase, the opulent Blue Drawing Room recreated with the Palace of Versailles in Paris in mind, to the glorious detail on the ivory veneer and sandalwood toilet set from Southern India – they all have fascinating stories to tell, chat to the friendly volunteers during your visit.
Step outside Treasurer’s House into the small but perfectly formed garden, set in the shadow of the Minster.
The garden is free for everyone to explore on open days. It’s more structure than colour at this time of year but the Christmas trees and gingerbread characters add to the interest in this pocket of calm in the city centre.
If you’re feeling suitably inspired, head around the corner as you leave to the large National Trust shop. Everything you need to make your Christmas special including a large selection of environmentally positive choices that you can reuse.
Year after year. By visiting or shopping with the National Trust, your support contributes to the conservation work of the charity, helping us to look after places like Treasurer’s House, for everyone, for ever.
