‘Full of charm’ B&B crowned the best accommodation of its kind in England

This little B&B in York has taken home a number of awards over the years (Picture: Monkbridge House) A small family-run guest house has just been named the best bed and breakfast in England, clinching Gold in the prestigious 2026 Visit England National Finals. Just an eight minute walk from the historic City Walls in York lies MonkBridge House, an eight bedroom property run by married couple Paul and Fiona Hemsley. Dating back to 1864, the house is brimming with Victorian charm, boasting a unique interior and a welcoming atmosphere. It’s a combination that’s earned it five-star reviews year after year, as well as back-to-back North Yorkshire Guest House of the Year titles in 2024 and 2025. And now, the small B&B has taken home an even more impressive title, scooping up first place in Visit England’s annual Awards for Excellence. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. Staycations continue to grow in popularity among Brits, with Booking.com and Airbnb both reporting spikes in demand for domestic bookings. So, what makes MonkBridge worthy of the top spot? The house itself was once home to city merchants and Lord Mayors (Picture: Monkbridge House) How to spend a weekend in historic York First off, MonkBridge’s location is arguable a big selling point for visitors. Just a short walk from the city centre, it’s incredibly simple to access all York has to offer – most of which showcases the area’s extensive roots in Roman history. Sights to add to your list include attractions such as York Minster, an impressive 13th-century Gothic cathedral featuring giant, colourful medieval stained-glass windows, and Clifford’s Tower, the largest surviving remnant of York Castle, northern England’s greatest medieval fortress. There are also dozens of museums worth checking out – the JORVIK Viking Centre has been described as incredibly ‘rich in information’ online. Alongside this, York also has some fabulous restaurants and cafés on offer. Bettys York Café Tea Rooms seems to be a fan-favourite on TikTok. @lizeandtom Top 12 Things to do in York, England 📍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 1, Visit York Minster – One of the largest cathedrals in Northern Europe, filled with stunning Gothic architecture. ⛪ 2, Walk down The Shambles – Wander one of the best-preserved medieval streets in the world! 🛍️ 3, Walk along the City Walls – The perfect way to see York from a different perspective. 🏰 4, Eat at The Shambles Market – So many street food stalls and local goodies to try! 🍴 5, Visit the Museum Gardens – A beautiful green space surrounded by historic ruins and flowers. 🌸 6, Visit Dick Turpin’s Grave – See the final resting place of York’s infamous highwayman. ⚰️ 7, See Clifford’s Tower – Climb to the top for sweeping views over the city! 🏯 8, Find Paddington – Spot the adorable statue hidden in the heart of the city. 🧸 9, Evening at Roxy Ballroom – Bowling, games, and a great vibe for a night out. 🎳 10, Try the famous Yorky Wrap – A Yorkshire pudding turned wrap. A must-try! 🥪 11, Visit York Castle Museum – Step back in time and explore life in York through the centuries. 🏛️ 12, Explore York on a Ghost Tour – Hear spooky stories and legends that bring the city’s haunted past to life. 👻 #york #yorkshire #travel #traveltok #travelinspo #traveltips #weekendtrip ♬ Can I Call You Rose? – Thee Sacred Souls What do guests love about MonkBridge Guest House? But back to MonkBridge. A word that seems to stand out among the Guest House’s glowing reviews is ‘beautiful’. Former guests seem to truly marvel at the property’s aesthetic, with one review describing it as ‘full of charm’ and many praising the care and attention Paul and Fiona have put into decorating every room. The eight refurbished bedrooms in the property include double rooms, twin rooms, and three different triple options. While every bedroom is teething with charm, the most extravagant is definitely the Rymer room, a luxurious large double bedroom on the first floor with an antique French oak Four Poster Bed. Overlooking the River Foss at the front of the house, the Rymer room ensuite even comes with underfloor heating and a large walk-in shower with overhead and wall-mounted sprays. Personally, I’d be quite happy to skip sightseeing altogether if it meant keeping my toes warm 24/7. There are eight refurbished bedrooms in the property (Picture: MonkBridge House) A few of the other rooms also overlook the river, while some overlook the communal garden at the back of the house. According to the website, all of the rooms come with an ensuite, minibar/fridge, flat-screen TV, hairdryer, and USB sockets. Guests have also praised the B&B’s cleanliness online, describing the rooms as ‘spotless, spacious and beautifully decorated.’ One visitor said the ‘little handmade touches’ dotted around the property made her feel ‘instantly at home.’ One of the biggest draws of staying at a B&B is having somewhere to relax beyond the confines of your bedroom. At MonkBridge, alongside the garden, there is also a guest lounge with a TV, plenty of space to sit and relax, and a full licensed (and more importantly, fully stocked) honesty bar and wine fridge. The hosts have described it as the ‘the perfect base for your break or romantic getaway’ (Picture: MonkBridge House) And while B&B breakfasts tend to be rather hit or miss, from the looks of the reviews – MonkBridge serves a cracking one. One former guest, Mike Curtis, described it as ‘top notch’, while Michael Gregson added: ‘The breakfast was outstanding — genuinely one of the highlights of our stay.’ If you are planning a visit sometime soon, one Google review, penned by Dorothy Bainbridge, recommends sampling the ‘wonderful homemade marmalade.’ How much does it cost to stay at MonkBridge Guest House? Unsurprisingly, a stay at this five-star spot doesn’t come cheap. However, you can minimise the damage by opting for one of the more affordable rooms. For two adults visiting in November, a two night stay in a standard twin – one of the cheapest rooms available – will set you back £307, approximately £150 each. However, if you’re keen to upgrade your stay and pluck for one of the more bougie bedrooms, such as the double room with Cast Iron Kingsize bed, it’ll cost £366, or around £183 each. Could this be the perfect spot for your morning coffee? (Picture: MonkBridge House) Oh, and if you’re hankering for a weekend in the Luxurious Four Poster Kingsize room, you’ll be forking out £376, or £188. One thing to remember is that availability is limited, with rooms typically being booked months in advance. So, if you do fancy a weekend in this historic haven, I’d start organising yourself pretty quickly. 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