One of the most historic buildings in England; Grays Court is the oldest inhabited house in York. Archaeologists believe the remains of a Roman gate - the Porta Decumana - lay buried just inside the grounds. The house has passed through the hands of many famous York residents including Lord Fairfax, John Aislabie (Chancellor of the Exchequer) and the Squire family.
Eventually providing home and sanctuary to the illustrious Gray family for two hundred years. Witness to political favours courted by medieval Minster Treasurers and three royal visits. The house was originally built, probably toward the end of the 11th century by Thomas of Bayeux's Treasurer. The Treasurer acted as Guest Master for visiting dignitaries; three Treasurers went on to be Royal Chancellors and a further two, Archbishops of York.
Eventually providing home and sanctuary to the illustrious Gray family for two hundred years. Witness to political favours courted by medieval Minster Treasurers and three royal visits. The house was originally built, probably toward the end of the 11th century by Thomas of Bayeux's Treasurer. The Treasurer acted as Guest Master for visiting dignitaries; three Treasurers went on to be Royal Chancellors and a further two, Archbishops of York.
Services
We take a discreet but attentive approach to customer service, from the moment you step into our beautiful reception area to the day you leave. Arrive to a homely welcome, then head up to your room to unpack and relax. From a wonderful family get away to a romantic weekend for two, we have something to suit every occasion.
The Bow Room Restaurant at Grays Court serves a six-course taster menu with optional wine flights. Chef Adam Jackson and team are committed to using ingredients from our own kitchen garden alongside local suppliers to create a memorable and exciting dining experience. Dinner will start in the historic Long Gallery for pre-dinner drinks and canapes.
Escape into the sumptuous surroundings of Grays Court and indulge in a drinks menu featuring a selection of craft beers, wines, spirits and cocktails crafted using seasonal ingredients grown in our own garden. All in the shadow of York's city walls. To ensure the safety and enjoyment of our guests and staff we have installed a series of social distancing measures in line with government advice.
We are always pleased to welcome the business community at Grays Court. Make use of our flexible room hire with a choice of layout and catering facilities. Workshops and training sessions can be delivered with theatre style seating, or choose a more traditional boardroom setting. Allow our catering team to take care of your every need.
You are two individuals, and your wedding day should reflect that. Grays Court is extra special and so much more than just a wedding venue and we certainly don't believe in one size fits all. You and your guests will enjoy exclusive use of the majestic house and beautiful garden for 24 or 48 hours and we will be with you every step of the way.
Reviews (14)
Jos Brown
Nov 27, 2021
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This visit was an experience filled with pure enjoyment. The hotel itself is very beautiful and the setting couldn't be any better.
The dinning room is tastefully decorated and looks out onto the city walls, visible even in the dark.
The food was fabulous. Beautifully presented and described carefully by the excellent staff.
This was our first visit, but not our last.
The dinning room is tastefully decorated and looks out onto the city walls, visible even in the dark.
The food was fabulous. Beautifully presented and described carefully by the excellent staff.
This was our first visit, but not our last.
Victoria Livingston
Nov 12, 2021
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My husband and I had dinner at The Bow Room to celebrate our anniversary, and it was wonderful. The staff are so welcoming and helpful and clearly know their stuff when it comes to the food and wine, and how to make sure everyone has a lovely time. Having a drink and canapes in the beautiful Jacobean panelled gallery was a great way to start the evening. The pacing of the tasting menu was perfect so that you don't feel rushed or full, and the food itself was exceptional. All in all - a fantastic evening - highly recommend!
Susan Grace
Oct 08, 2021
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My review is primarily of our two meals here recently but also of this weekend’s medical ‘ conference’ where we took over the whole hotel. The food was stunning on both occasions - this is certainly now on a par with the best we have visited and hopefully will soon get a Michelin star! The hotel ambience is lovely and all our 24 guests loved it. The staff could not do enough to accommodate our needs. Thanks to Helen, Sarah, Alex and all the staff for terrific meals and a great weekend event.
Sandra Faucher
Sep 28, 2021
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Kim Offord
Aug 27, 2021
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Mark Lawrence
Aug 20, 2021
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Sam Birkbeck
Aug 20, 2021
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In the first instance we left a private review of our poor quality meal. Given the tough year that restaurants have faced we preferred to give them the benefit of the doubt. However with the management not bothering to respond and clearly not caring of our feedback, we preferred to take to a public review to warn of the low to mediocre food to help you make up your mind as to whether to waste £250 on a sub par meal.
We had the 6 course taster menu (the only option) with two courses being bread and the other 4 courses which can only be likened to a mundane 3 star hotel canteen/lunch hall (Dry
We had the 6 course taster menu (the only option) with two courses being bread and the other 4 courses which can only be likened to a mundane 3 star hotel canteen/lunch hall (Dry
Steven Hand
Aug 18, 2021
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Our daughter had treated us to the Taster Menu with Wine Pairing at The Bow restaurant. This was our third experience of Taster menus but by far the worst. Although the food looked amazing and was served with great pomp and ceremony, the distinctive flavours promised on the menu were lacking. In fact the beef course was tongue tartare! Well, if you could find the tongue. The portions were thumb sized.Yes, I know it was a taster menu but you need to be given enough food to taste it!
The allocated 4 glasses of wine(100ml) did compliment the food but the Madeira wine at the end was too sweet and
The allocated 4 glasses of wine(100ml) did compliment the food but the Madeira wine at the end was too sweet and
Penny Hand
Aug 07, 2021
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A disappointing meal at The Bow Restaurant, Grays Court Hotel,York.
Delightful staff, beautiful historic building and spectacular looking food! Unfortunately that’s where the positives end. Having read the glowing reports we were extremely excited about spending our 40th Wedding Anniversary at The Bow restaurant but were to be bitterly disappointed. The taste of the food on their Taster Menu was underwhelming and the portions were ridiculously small. The manager seems to have difficulty accepting criticism and instead of trying to appease a situation accuses you of being rude and vile which
Delightful staff, beautiful historic building and spectacular looking food! Unfortunately that’s where the positives end. Having read the glowing reports we were extremely excited about spending our 40th Wedding Anniversary at The Bow restaurant but were to be bitterly disappointed. The taste of the food on their Taster Menu was underwhelming and the portions were ridiculously small. The manager seems to have difficulty accepting criticism and instead of trying to appease a situation accuses you of being rude and vile which
Margaret Cowan
Jul 10, 2021
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M. M.
Aug 02, 2018
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Sim S.
Feb 05, 2017
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My husband and I decided to walk the city walls one cold winters day and stumbled across this place as it had it's own gate leading down into a beautiful garden. We got back home and googled it to discover excitedly that it did Prosecco afternoon tea, so we booked it for the next week to celebrate my mother in laws birthday. It turns out it's better on the inside, which is saying something. We arrived and were met with a very warm greeting, where we were offered our choice of rooms, from beside the log burning fire to to upstairs in the window nook. The afternoon tea was lovely, with
Alisa R.
Mar 12, 2016
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This is an amazing hotel thats in a old stately mansion! It is cool cool ! Whoever did the interior decorating must had worked at Anthropologie at some point and did set up for photo shoots from Vogue ( I don't read Vogue but its what I would imagine to be in there). Super cool combination of furniture, musical instruments, unique artwork and cool carpets. On the main floor there is a Bar and a dinning room. If you order from the Bar you can then chose to sit in multiple places.. the library, the window sitting room, the long hall, or outside in the awesome garden with a garden shed thats
John R.
May 05, 2015
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On a wet and dreary day, whilst wondering around near the minster (after some cupcakes at Crumbs, of course), my wife and I stumbled upon this gem. We saw Grays Court Hotel, imagined what it would be like to stay in such a place, and may have made our way into the back garden to discover the huge outdoor seating area. As this wasn't the day for a drink in the sun, we walked inside to discover a wonderful seating areas upstairs.
To our surprise the drink prices weren't much different from anywhere else in town, so we made ourselves at home in two chairs by a window in the library and
To our surprise the drink prices weren't much different from anywhere else in town, so we made ourselves at home in two chairs by a window in the library and
