House of the Trembling Madness, Stonegate

The building

Numbers 48 and 50 Stonegate date from around 1600, with jettied upper storeys overhanging the street in classic York fashion. Inside there are old fireplaces, including one from about 1700, and the rear of the site adjoins the remains of the Norman House, one of the oldest domestic buildings in the city, reached by a snickelway at the side.

Drinks and food

The business combines a bar with a shop, so you can drink in and also leave with bottles and cans to take home. Its retail side has been recognised as the UK's leading independent beer retailer, which gives a sense of how seriously the range is taken. Ask the staff for a recommendation if the choice feels overwhelming, or pick up a few bottles as a souvenir of York.

Making a visit

Stonegate is one of York's most photogenic streets, running from St Helen's Square towards the Minster, so the bar is easy to fit into a walk around the centre. Arrive outside peak times if you want a seat, as historic rooms like these are not large. Barley Hall, a restored medieval townhouse, is a few doors away and makes a good pairing.

Highlights

• Grade II* listed timber-framed building, c.1600
• Bar and bottle shop in one
• Open on Stonegate since 2009
• Next to the remains of the Norman House
• Few doors from Barley Hall

Good to know

• Rooms are small; avoid peak times for a seat.
• The shop sells beer to take away.

Frequently asked questions