Historic churches · Yorkshire & the Humber
Bar Convent
In or near York.
Bar Convent is a historic church in the United Kingdom.
Wikimedia Commons contributors — see linked file page for photographer and licence licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 30 min–1 h
- Nearest railway station
- York · 0.3 km
- Free entry
- Family-friendly
Getting there & planning your visit
To visit Bar Convent, you can take a train to York railway station, which is 0.3 km away. Entry is free, and the site is accessible. The postcode for sat-nav is YO24 1AQ.
About
Bar Convent is a historic church in the United Kingdom. Records date its origin to 1786. Designed by Thomas Atkinson. Heritage designation: Grade I listed building. Coordinates: 53.9549°, -1.0918°.
Photo gallery
Heritage listing
The Bar Convent Living Heritage Centre, at Micklegate Bar, York, England, established in 1686, is the oldest surviving Catholic convent in the British Isles. The laws of England at this time prohibited the foundation of Catholic convents and as a result of this, the convent was both established and operated in secret. While pretending to be widows, the foundation opened the first school for girls in the country in Hammersmith, London, in 1679 and the second here at the Bar Convent.
From the Historic England List Entry under OGL v3.
Official information
The Bar Convent is the oldest living convent in the UK, established in 1686. Visitors can explore its rich history through exhibitions and the stunning 18th Century Hidden Chapel.
From the Wikipedia article
The Bar Convent Living Heritage Centre, at Micklegate Bar, York, England, established in 1686, is the oldest surviving Catholic convent in the British Isles. The laws of England at this time prohibited the foundation of Catholic convents and as a result of this, the convent was both established and operated in secret. While pretending to be widows, the foundation opened the first school for girls in the country in Hammersmith, London, in 1679 and the second here at the Bar Convent. Today, the Bar Convent is a popular York destination for tourists and offers bed and breakfast accommodation, meeting rooms, a gift shop, café and museum exhibition about the Convent's history.
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
Background
Architecture
The Entrance Hall to the main building was initially built as an open courtyard but has since been enclosed and Victorian tiles added. The court has a decorative tiled floor and a glass roof supported by iron trusses which are, in turn, supported by iron columns. The court also houses a clock, designed by Henry Hindley. It was connected in around 1970 to the pediment clock on the building's frontage, on Blossom Street. The Great Parlour, which features paintings of some of the notable early sisters of the Convent, is located to the right of the ground floor and has a marble fireplace with round headed alcoves to each side.
Visiting
The Bar Convent is England's oldest living convent, still home to a resident community of sisters (who belong to the Congregation of Jesus). The Grade I listed buildings were widely renovated in 2015 and now house a museum exploring the history of the convent and the community, as well as a café, meeting rooms and a guest house.
Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Coordinates
- 53.9549, -1.0918
- District
- York
- Parish
- York, unparished area
- Postcode
- YO24 1AQ
- Parliamentary constituency
- York Central
- Phone
- +44 1904 643238
- Established
- 1786
- Nearest railway station
- York — 0.3 km
- Opening
- Mo-Sa 10:00-17:00
- Official site
- www.bar-convent.org.uk
Sources
- wikidata: Q4857921 (CC0)
- wikipedia: Bar Convent (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- commons: Bar Convent Exterior.jpg (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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Frequently asked questions
- Where is Bar Convent?
- Bar Convent is in Yorkshire, United Kingdom (postcode YO24 1AQ), in the parish of York, unparished area.
- What is Bar Convent?
- Bar Convent is a historic church in the United Kingdom.
- How do I get to Bar Convent?
- The nearest railway station is York, about 0.3 km away. Drivers can use postcode YO24 1AQ.
- When was Bar Convent built?
- Built or established in 1786. Designed by Thomas Atkinson.
- Is Bar Convent a listed building?
- Bar Convent is officially recognised as Grade I listed building listed.
- Is Bar Convent free to visit?
- Yes, Bar Convent is free to enter.
- How do I get to Bar Convent?
- The nearest railway station is York, about 0.3 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode YO24 1AQ.