The Guy Fawkes Inn York, said to stand on the birthplace of the infamous Gunpowder Plotter, is not just historic, some say it is haunted, writes DAVID SAUNDERSON
The Guy Fawkes Inn in York trades on one of England’s most infamous names, but some say something still lingers here long after the Gunpowder Plot.
This is a pub built as much on reputation as reality — and that’s exactly where the ghost stories begin.
A place tied to Guy Fawkes, filled with history, tourists, and just enough strange reports to keep the ghost stories alive.
The Guy Fawkes Inn York history
The The Guy Fawkes Inn dates back to the 16th century, with parts of the building likely older.
It sits in one of the oldest parts of York, an area layered with centuries of change.
The claim that Guy Fawkes was born here is widely repeated, but not fully proven.
He was baptised nearby in 1570, and the connection rests more on location than hard evidence.
There are signs nearby suggesting his family lived in the area, which adds to the story, but like much of York’s past, the exact truth is blurred.
Over time, the building has shifted roles — from lodging house to coaching inn, and now a pub with rooms.
The uneven floors and worn structure reflect that long history rather than a single moment in time.
Who was Guy Fawkes and his connection to York?
Guy Fawkes was one of the men behind the 1605 Gunpowder Plot, an attempt to blow up King James I and Parliament.
The plan failed, and Fawkes was arrested, tortured, and later executed in London.
His connection to York is genuine.
He was born in the city in 1570 and baptised at St Michael le Belfrey, just a short walk from where the pub stands today.
While the exact birthplace is debated, the area around High Petergate is closely linked to his early life, which is why the Guy Fawkes Inn leans so heavily into that history.
The Guy Fawkes Inn ghost stories
Unlike some York pubs, the hauntings here are less defined and more tied to reputation than clear events.
- The man in period dress: A figure is sometimes reported inside the building, dressed in historical clothing. Some claim it is Guy Fawkes himself, though this is based more on association than evidence.
- Shadowy figures: Guests have reported seeing fleeting shapes moving through corridors or appearing briefly in rooms. These sightings are brief, inconsistent, and difficult to pin down.
- An unnamed presence: There are reports of something being felt rather than clearly seen, especially in quieter parts of the building away from the main bar.
- General activity: Footsteps are said to echo through corridors late at night, even when the building is quiet. Doors have reportedly opened or closed on their own, and some visitors mention objects being moved or going missing.
These stories sit more in the realm of suggestion than certainty. Repeated often, but rarely backed by clear detail.
Unlike other York pubs, there is no single violent event driving the hauntings.
Instead, the atmosphere seems to come from the building’s age and its connection to a notorious name.
Visiting The Guy Fawkes Inn York today
The Guy Fawkes Inn is a working pub and hotel, and it leans heavily into its connection with its namesake.
Inside, it’s a traditional York tourist pub, low ceilings, dark wood, narrow spaces with a clear focus on the Guy Fawkes story.
References to the Gunpowder Plot are everywhere, including the use of the now-familiar V for Vendetta-style imagery.
It sits in a prime spot near the Minster, which means it attracts a steady flow of visitors.
In many ways, it feels more like a historical curiosity than a deeply haunted pub.
There is also something slightly odd about it.
A man who tried to blow up Parliament is turned into a brand, a theme, almost a character.
But that is nothing new. Across sites like this, history gets softened, shaped, and sold, just as it does with figures like highwayman Dick Turpin.
That does not mean the stories are not there. Just that here, they sit quietly behind the noise.
Need to Know
- The Guy Fawkes Inn is a traditional pub with rooms, focused on history and tourism near York Minster.
- Address: 25 High Petergate, York YO1 7HP
- Contact: 01904 635464
