Treasurer's House

Treasurer's House stands behind York Minster on the site of the medieval Treasurers' mansion, and its cellar is haunted, they say, by a marching Roman legion. In 1897 Frank Green bought the house and by 1900 had remade it into an elaborate show home for the visit of Edward VII, filled with antiques and art to his exacting standards; in 1930 it became the first house given to the National Trust with its collection. For most of the year the 13 historic rooms are seen by guided tour only, and reviewers rate the volunteer guides highly and find the hour flies by. The small award-winning garden and the cafe downstairs, with second-hand books for a donation, are free to drop into, and the garden has a fine view of the Minster's Chapter House. Tips from visitors: book a tour ahead, as spaces are limited and walk-ins join the next tour with room; dogs are welcome in the garden only.