This Christmas season, immerse yourself in the beautiful surroundings of The Bar Convent, the UK’s oldest living convent and one of York’s most significant heritage houses.

Enjoy a warming Christmas lunch in our cafe, discover the Georgian Parlour dressed in seasonal splendour and find a peaceful sanctuary in the hidden chapel. In the exhibition, visitors can uncover the convent’s festive traditions through the centuries with a brand new family-friendly trail.

Extend your visit with a stay in our guest house where history and hospitality combine to create a truly memorable experience.

Just a stone’s throw from York Train Station and a leisurely stroll to the Christmas markets The Bar Convent is the perfect stop for any festive visit to York.

Please note: Booking is required for Christmas lunches and the guest house. The Christmas trail is included in the exhibition, Mon- Sat, 10am- 5pm (last admission 4pm). Mass takes place in the chapel every Friday at 12, all are welcome. The chapel is closed to the public on Saturday 29 November and Saturday 6 December. Illustration by Nick Ellwood.

Our Festive Fiesta Menus, available for eight or more, are made for sharing. Enjoy generous platters, dive into sizzling paellas and hearty seasonal tapas, then finish on a sweet note with desserts. And all for only £29.95 per person.

Whether it’s a family get-together, a lively catch-up with friends or the ultimate office party, let us whisk you away to Spain for a night of festive fun.

This year, we’re also excited to introduce our new Lunchtime Festive Menu, available Monday to Friday from 11.30am until 3pm. Perfect for those midweek celebrations, it features bread and olives to start, followed by a spread of hearty seasonal tapas. Everything you need for a festive lunch, just a little lighter for just £16.95pp.

And… to make your Christmas parties even easier, we’re offering 10% OFF our Festive Drinks List when you pre-order at least 7 days before your party. All pre-ordered drinks will simply be added to your bill at the end of your meal.

Book your table, send us your pre-order and let us take care of the rest. So all you need to do is enjoy the company, the food and the Festive cheer 🍷

Come and enjoy a brand new interactive adventure for families as they meet Father Christmas on the NYMR Santa Express. The steam train ride will be packed with songs, jokes and the magic of Christmas, brought to life by Santa’s Elves, and families will also get to meet the great man himself on board.

Your Santa Express

At Pickering station, families will be welcomed by the sights and sounds of the Santa Express steam train with Christmas decorations, traditional games, and live singing to get everyone in the Christmas spirit. Once on board, Santa’s team of elves will keep everyone entertained with sing-alongs, Christmas-cracker jokes, and plenty of fun. Each child will also receive a special keepsake to take home.

Meet The Elves

• – Elton Elf, known for his musical skills.
• – Joey Marshmallow, the cheeky trickster.
• – Chef Custard, who looks after Santa and his reindeer with his special recipes.
• Also, keep an eye out for Chris Mouse, the Station Mouse, who checks that everyone is on the Nice List with his cheeky “eek, eek, eek!”

Fares & Booking

Tickets for the Santa Express start from £29.50 per person.

Registered Carers: Registered adult or child carers of a disabled Santa Express passenger are eligible for a reduced-rate ticket when the standard Santa Express fare applies to the disabled passenger. Passengers booking a reduced-rate carer’s ticket will be required to provide a valid form of ID to confirm eligibility.

Wheelchair users: On each service we have two dedicated wheelchair user spaces available in our Fuss Free carriage with fold down seats for up to two travel companions, bookable online.

Visit the North Yorkshire Moors Railway for tickets and to book