Address: 6 Fawcett St, York, YO10 4AH (now outside the Edinburgh Arms pub)
Description
The Woolpack Inn ghost sign features white block capital letters against a vivid green background, hand painted on brick.
History
Originally built around 1845 as a private residence, The Woolpack Inn began operating as a public house later in the 19th century.
Initially known as The Fat Ox, the pub adopted the name The Woolpack by 1867.
By 1902, four of its six bedrooms were reserved for travellers, while three smoke rooms and a cellar catered to local patrons.
1933
Strategically located opposite the cattle market, The Woolpack, along with the nearby Seahorse and Edinburgh Arms, served as a hub for visitors and workers alike. It functioned as both a guest house and a pub.
The pub’s historical significance was recognized in 1983 when it was designated a Grade II listed building.
In 2013, Paul Crossman and Jon Farrow, who also own The Slip Inn and The Volunteer Arms, acquired The Woolpack. Interestingly, The Slip Inn also displays a ghost sign.
The Woolpack became famous for its eclectic music nights featuring reggae, ska, electronica, post-rock, alt-folk, Americana, punk, and anti-pop – becoming a beloved hangout for locals.
The ghost sign had been hidden for years by a newer wall-mounted sign, but the recent closure in 2021 unveiled the old hand-painted sign behind it.
Inside, the historic building on Fawcett Street boasts a large reception room with a bar and a distinctive blue-tinted glass fixture reading “The Woolpack Inn.”
Despite its transformation into Airbnb flats, the pub remains a cherished relic of York’s vibrant social history.
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