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The Watergate Inn York Exterior photoThe Watergate Inn York Exterior photoThe Watergate Inn York Exterior photo

The Watergate Inn – A Favorite for Families in York

•
7.2|Very good
Check rooms and rates
From$55 /nightOnly on Our Website-10%
Check-in
01Nov
Check-out
02Nov
Guests
2 Guests
Key details

About the Hotel

24 Walmgate, York, YO1 9TJ
-
Close to the city centre
Very good
7.2
7.1
/10
3.0
/5

Historic inn in York city center with riverside beer garden and free parking

Rooms & Amenities

The Watergate Inn offers 13 rooms with en-suite bathrooms and flat-screen TVs. Recent upgrades include new carpets and refreshed furnishings in select rooms. Guests have access to a shared lounge and a picnic area in the walled garden courtyard.

Dining & Entertainment

The inn's bar serves fine ales and authentic charcoal grill food, including fish and chips and gyros. A full English breakfast is available with a 10% discount for hotel guests. Live entertainment is offered throughout the property, and the riverside beer garden provides outdoor dining and relaxation.

Location & Parking

The Watergate Inn sits 300 metres from York City Walls and 600 metres from York Minster. Clifford's Tower and the Grand Opera House are both a 3-minute walk away. Free on-site parking is provided behind a secure gate, a rare amenity in central York.

Pet-Friendly Policies

Dogs are welcome at no extra charge, making the inn a convenient base for pet owners. The riverside garden and nearby cycling and fishing spots offer outdoor activities with pets. Staff are known for attentive service and quick problem resolution for pet-related requests.

Family Accommodations

Family rooms and quadruple room configurations can sleep up to five guests. A children's menu is available in the pub, and the central location allows easy walking to York's family attractions like the Jorvik Viking Centre and The Shambles. The secure parking gate and minimarket on site add convenience for families.

Highlights

Location: 300 m from York City Walls and York Minster

Parking: Free secure on-site parking in central York

Dining: Charcoal grill and full English breakfast with guest discount

Pet Policy: Dogs welcome with no extra fees

Rooms: Family rooms and quadruple configurations available

“What stands out is its deep connection to York's history, reflected in its charming decor. The inn's location, close to the Barbican Centre and with the added benefit of free parking, makes it a practical base. I think the riverside beer garden especially enhances its appeal, creating a relaxed spot after a day exploring the city.”
Hotel logo
Grace WhitmanContent & Editorial Director at Familyhotels

Choose from a variety of room types

Choose from a wide variety of rooms designed for families, including double rooms, family suites, and rooms with breakfast included
  • Twin Room Private Bathroom
    2 persons
    130 sq. feet
    2 Single beds
  • Quadruple Room
    2 persons
    260 sq. feet
    1 Double bed and 2 Single beds
  • Small Double Room
    2 persons
    110 sq. feet
    1 Double bed
Show all rooms

Availability and pricing for your selected dates

Book your family’s getaway in a snap with up-to-date availability and pricing!

Facilities

Each family-friendly hotel provides top-notch amenities for an unforgettable stay with your loved ones
Facilities: Very good
7.0/10Review score

General

  • No smoking on site
  • Wi-Fi
  • No pets allowed
  • Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
  • Security
  • Luggage storage
  • Barber shop

Sports & Fitness

  • Cycling

Services

  • Shops/Commercial services

Dining

  • All inclusive
  • Bar/ Lounge area
  • Picnic area/ Tables

Spa & Leisure

  • Leisure/ TV room

Room features

  • Tea and coffee facilities
  • Ironing facilities
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The Watergate Inn Location

24 Walmgate, York, YO1 9TJ
Map view
Nearby
York YO1 7HBEngland
York City Walls
1600 ft
Museum
Jorvik Viking Centre
1200 ft
Museum
York Castle Museum
1800 ft
Museum
York's Chocolate Story
1400 ft
Tower Street
Clifford's Tower
1800 ft
12 Clifford St
The York Dungeon
1400 ft
York YO1 8BL
St. Crux Parish Hall
1300 ft
Church
St Denys's Church
1500 ft
Museum
Merchant Adventurers' Hall
500 ft
Goodramgate
2000 ft
Church
Church of St Mary Bishophill Junior
800 ft
Fairfax House Castlegate
Fairfax House
1100 ft
Restaurants
Mooboo
200 ft
21-23 Walmgate
The Fossgate Social
500 ft
25 Fossgate
The Hop
700 ft
11-12 Fossgate
Shambles Kitchen
1000 ft
5 Silver Street Shambles Food Market
The Postern Gate
1300 ft
90 Piccadilly
Cresci Pizzeria
800 ft
20 piccadilly
Spread Eagle
900 ft
98 Walmgate City Centre
Los Moros
1200 ft
Unit A4 Hazel Court Shambles Market
York's Yummy Chicken
900 ft
28 Pavement
Explore York
Local Highlights
  • Top Attractions
  • Activities
  • Dining
  • Entertainment
Jorvik Viking Centre
Jorvik Viking Centre
5 minutes walking
Interactive exhibits on Viking heritage. Experience life in the Viking Age through immersive displays.
York Minster
York Minster
8 minutes walking
Stunning Gothic cathedral known for its architecture and beautiful stained glass windows. Guided tours available.
York Castle Museum
York Castle Museum
7 minutes walking
Social history museum featuring a Victorian street and exhibits on York's history. Offers unique artifacts to view.
York's Chocolate Story
York's Chocolate Story
5 minutes walking
Explore York's chocolate making history and participate in interactive chocolate making sessions.
Rowntree Park
Rowntree Park
15 minutes walking
Beautiful park with walking trails and a children's play area, great for relaxation or a family day out.
Biking along the River Ouse
10 minutes cycling
Scenic routes along the River Ouse. Rentals available nearby for a leisurely ride through York's picturesque landscapes.
Ghost Tours of York
10 minutes walking
Thrilling guided tours exploring York's haunted history. Great for thrill-seekers and history enthusiasts alike.
Yoga at York
10 minutes walking
Local studios offer various classes focusing on relaxation and wellness, perfect for unwinding after a busy day.
Penny's Bespoke Foodhouse
2 minutes walking
Charming eatery specializing in locally sourced dishes. Reservations recommended for their popular brunches.
The Hop
The Hop
3 minutes walking
Casual pub atmosphere with a variety of craft beers and hearty British fare. Live music on select nights.
Cresci Pizzeria
Cresci Pizzeria
3 minutes walking
Authentic Italian pizzas made from fresh ingredients, perfect for a quick meal. Vegetarian options available.
The Postern Gate
The Postern Gate
5 minutes walking
Historic pub offering a cozy atmosphere and a menu featuring classic British dishes. Great for casual dining.
York Theatre Royal
10 minutes walking
Victorian theater featuring plays, musicals, and comedy shows. Family-friendly performances are often on schedule.
The Fossgate Social
15 minutes walking
Live music venue with a vibrant atmosphere. Check their schedule for local bands and themed nights.
City Screen Picturehouse
12 minutes walking
Independent cinema showcasing a mix of new releases and classic films. A cozy spot for film lovers.
Fibbers
15 minutes walking
Popular music venue offering a range of live gigs. Great for a night out with friends enjoying local talent.
Tips on navigating the city
  • City Centre
    York 5 min  ·  1400 ft
  • Airports
    Leeds Bradford (LBA) 78 min  ·  31.9 mi
    Doncaster Sheffield (DSA) 93 min  ·  38.5 mi
  • Train
    York Railway station 14 min  ·  3700 ft
  • Bus
    Bus stop 12 min  ·  3300 ft
Get access to exclusive early booking discounts for your family’s upcoming getaway
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Check Rates
Property information and rules
Check-in
from 15:00-20:00
Check-out
until 10 am
Internet
Wireless internet is available in the entire hotel for free.
Children & extra beds
There are no extra beds provided in a room.  There are no cots provided in a room. 
Pets
Pets are not allowed.
Number of rooms:
13

Family-focused reviews and ratings

Read feedback from other families who have stayed to ensure you make the right choice.
Review summary
Based on recent reviews
Powered by AI
The Watergate Inn enjoys a superb central location, just a short walk from the historic center and the Christmas market. Guests appreciate the clean rooms equipped with amenities like kettles, tea, coffee, and TVs with Netflix. The hotel also offers parking and easy access to rooms, while some guests have noted that rooms can be a bit small. The pub downstairs is friendly and serves a wonderful breakfast.
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Review score
Based on 6 verified reviews
8.2 /10
Great
100%
Recommend
Location
9.3/10
Staff
8.9/10
Facilities
7.0/10
Comfort
7.4/10
Pros
Homely experience
Friendly staff
Great location
Comfortable bed
Cons
Small room
Guest reviews
based on 6 reviews
8.2/10
based on 2197 reviews
7.2/10
rosie from united kingdom
Couple
small double room
3 nights in November 2025
|
Reviewed: February 09, 2026
6/10

mediocre stay

small room uncomfortable bed noise problem
the location was acceptable because it was close to everything.
The room was quite small and felt cramped. the bed was uncomfortable. I tossed and turned all night. the noise from other guests was bothersome. I could hear everything.
0 Helpful
David from United Kingdom
Single
Twin Room Private Bathroom
3 nights in November 2025
|
Reviewed: February 07, 2026
9/10
on-site parking good selection easy access
the on-site parking provided much convenience. the breakfast had a good selection of items. the location allowed for very easy access to attractions.
i noticed some wear on the hallway carpeting.
0 Helpful
steven from united kingdom
Single
twin room private bathroom
3 nights in November 2025
|
Reviewed: February 03, 2026
9/10

central stay delight

central location on-site parking
i found the location quite central. on-site parking was available, a definite plus. check-in was simple thanks to clear instructions. the staff was friendly too.
it made for some noisy mornings, even on the weekend. i understood the weekday work, but weekend starts were rough.
Rooms
8/10
the room had tea and a kettle. the size of the room was decent, and i appreciated that. these amenities allowed for personal comfort and convenience .
0 Helpful
|
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sebastian from germany
Single
twin room private bathroom
3 nights in November 2025
|
Reviewed: January 25, 2026
9/10

a gem by the river

friendly staff convenient location comforting touch
the staff exuded warmth, answering every question i had with grace. i walked to every attraction, the location proved convenient. my twin room private bathroom was cozy, tea and coffee making facilities added a comforting touch.
the single pane windows allowed noise to filter in, making it hard to fall asleep.
Facilities
8/10
The hotel features a charming pub offering local ales, it provides a cozy spot for evening relaxation. a small terrace overlooks the river, perfect for enjoying a quiet drink. There is also a luggage storage service available.
0 Helpful
|
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Hudson from Canada
Business traveller
Twin Room Private Bathroom
3 nights in November 2025
|
Reviewed: January 18, 2026
9.0/10

central STAY near EVERYTHING

generous space warm room friendly staff secure parking
i found the location really good, only minutes from the christmas market. the room had generous space and also felt quite warm. staff were friendly and checked me in with little fuss, that i appreciated. parking was easily available and secure.
the bedroom felt slightly unclean and needed a better hoover, not so nice.
Location
9/10
the inn is near city center, so it is very close to sites, restaurants and pubs. i did notice that the hotel had walking distance from the christmas market with parking which is helpful. a street full of restaurants was steps away.
Dining
8/10
the pub offered food and sky sports, so i could relax after my travels. bar facilities were available, and food was pretty good when i tried it one afternoon. i did not have any major complaints at the bar.
Facilities
10/10
free parking was available, this was very important for my trip with the car. the room featured A comfortable bed and felt quiet, i slept very well each evening. there was light in the room and a nice feel.
0 Helpful
|
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Luna from Spain
Family with children
Double Room Private Bathroom
3 nights in October 2025
|
Reviewed: January 18, 2026
7/10
ideal location comfortable bed basic room small room shower drain overflowing shower
The location was great. I walked to many sights, and I did not need public transport. The room had basics I needed. The bed was surprisingly comfortable.
The room was very small. I could not fully open the bathroom door. The shower was slow draining. IT was in danger of overflowing.
0 Helpful
FAQs
About The Watergate Inn
What is the distance from The Watergate Inn to York Minster?
The Watergate Inn is located 2000 ft from York Minster.
Which historical landmarks are near The Watergate Inn?
Nearby historical landmarks include York City Walls and Cliffords Tower, both located 1000 ft away.
What are the check-in and check-out times at The Watergate Inn?
Check-in is at 15:00 and check-out is by 10:30.
What amenities are included in the rooms at The Watergate Inn?
All rooms feature en suite bathrooms, flat-screen TVs, and tea and coffee making facilities.
What dining options are available at The Watergate Inn?
The Watergate Inn includes an on-site restaurant and a bar/lounge area for guests.
Does The Watergate Inn offer free Wi-Fi?
Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout The Watergate Inn.
What recreational activities can guests enjoy at The Watergate Inn?
Guests can enjoy cycling and fishing near The Watergate Inn.
How far is The Watergate Inn from Leeds Bradford International Airport?
The Watergate Inn is located 24 mi from Leeds Bradford International Airport.
What are some nearby dining options to The Watergate Inn?
Nearby restaurants include Corner Grill House, Khao San Rd, El Gaucho, and The Red Lion, all located within 1000 ft.

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