Review: The Perfect Base for a City Break in York

Just a stone’s throw from York’s city centre, not far from the train station and its sightseeing hotspots including York Minster and the Shambles, Railway House York, a self-catering home-from-home, offers a luxury that’s hard to come by in this busy city – secure, gated parking and private gardens off Holgate Road. If we were staying in warmer months we’re sure al fresco tipples, or even a picnic, in the private gardens would be on the cards.

It’s an impressive building and as we enter, we notice clever nods to the property’s railway heritage throughout this ambitious renovation project from the team at Chateau Anna. The house now boasts eight individual luxury apartments. Some of us are staying in the ground-floor Platform 3, whilst other members of our group head up the staircase to apartments on the upper floors.

The property features high ceilings and large windows, open-plan living spaces and calming colour palettes courtesy of Little Greene paint. The pretty interiors are certainly what makes each ‘platform’ immediately warm and welcoming. It’s all in the details here where the cushions are made using vintage fabrics, and original features and window shutters add to the charm.

Each country house-style apartment is uniquely designed, perfect for solo escapes, romantic breaks or larger gatherings like ours, but all are fully self-contained with well-stocked Shaker-style kitchens, complete with Nespresso machines, and luxury Bath House toiletries in the bathrooms – welcome added touches for our group. Platform 2 is the largest and covers two floors, whilst Platforms 4 and 5 are perfect for solo staycationers or couples. During the renovation of the property, in Platform 2 a rustic, bottle green safe was discovered behind stacks of shelving, and has been incorporated into the house’s final look. Platform 3’s large corner sofa means our group can gather on our first night in York to enjoy drinks and a takeaway.

The real wow-factor in the apartments comes from the spa-like bathrooms some with impressive free-standing copper bathtubs. Platform 1’s reclaimed marble bathtub (weighing a staggering 750kg) is equally impressive. Fun fact – it took 10 men and a stonemason from the Minster to install it!

The spacious and stylish bedrooms with king-size beds make relaxation at Railway House York simple but, post-dining out in the city, the large dining table in Platform 3 offers the perfect space for some of our group to come together to play games and catch-up over drinks before we call it a night. It’s easy to make this house a home whether that’s for a large gathering or a more peaceful break, and we can only imagine how gorgeous it is at Christmastime when the interiors, and the city, are even more magical.

Railway House York
128 Holgate Road, Holgate, York YO24 4DF
railwayhouseyork.co.uk