Address: 10 Goodramgate, York, YO1 7LQ (now Heritage Collection Travel)
Description
A large rectangular sign, once proudly displaying ‘Red Lion Inn’, now shows only the faint outline of its letters, hinting at its past glory despite being painted over with white.
History
This building, a late 18th-century coaching inn which includes a wing from the late 17th century, has evolved significantly over time.
Initially, it served as one of York’s primary coaching inns from at least 1727, a crucial part of Europe’s transport infrastructure before the advent of railways.
In the bottom right, you can see the entrance once used for horses and carts
These inns provided essential services for travelers and their horses, offering food, drink, and rest, along with stables managed by hostlers.
By 1830, the inn’s facilities had expanded to include a club and sale room, a well-appointed tap room, and a private brewery.
A classic example of an 1800s English coaching inn
However, as stagecoach travel waned, the inn’s fortunes declined, leading to its sale in 1866 and the eventual withdrawal of its license, ceasing operations as a public house.
The structure was significantly altered in the late 1800s when shopfronts were added. Throughout the 1900s, the building changed hands multiple times.
In the early 1900s, it was owned by bootmaker Webester Darely. By the 1960s and 70s, it had transformed into Monk Bar Newsagency. Today, it functions as a travel agency.
Recognized for its historical and architectural significance, the building has been a Grade II listed property since 1983.
For more detailed architectural information about this historic site, click here.
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