Westergate House

08/06/2026

Over breakfast recently, a guest asked us a great question:

“Was York Minster once a monastery?”

It’s easy to see why people ask. The word Minster sounds ancient, and the building itself has such a long history.

The answer is no. York Minster is a cathedral and has been the seat of the Archbishop of York for centuries.

The word minster comes from an old English term for a church served by a community of clergy. Over time, some churches kept the title, even though they weren’t monasteries.

A monastery was home to monks or nuns who lived a religious life together. A cathedral is different. It’s the principal church of a diocese and contains the bishop’s seat, known as a cathedra.

The story becomes even more interesting when you discover places such as Bedern Hall, where the Vicars Choral of York Minster once ate their meals and lived as a community.

Have you ever wondered about the difference between a minster, a cathedral and a monastery?

31/05/2026

🌿 Looking forward to taking part in this course next week at Stillingfleet Lodge Gardens! ( there’s one place left if you would like to join us )

Being just 3 miles from Westergate House, Stillingfleet offers a wonderful range of gardening and creative courses throughout the year, as well as beautiful gardens to explore.

We've welcomed guests who have stayed with us while attending courses there, and others who have included Stillingfleet as part of a garden-hopping break visiting some of Yorkshire's finest gardens.

If you'd like to visit the gardens or take part in one of their courses, book directly with Stillingfleet and send us a DM if you need accommodation. As we're not usually open online on Mondays, we're always happy to help arrange stays around your visit.

Who else enjoys combining a garden visit with a relaxing break away? 🌸🌳

On this course you will make your own wire duck, under the expert guidance of Richard of Wold Wide Sculptures. Whilst this course is perfect for those of you who have previously enjoyed the half-day wire sculpture courses making either alliums or small birds and now want to make something more ambit...

30/05/2026

And as if by magic the pond is cleaned and halved in size.
Brilliant job done boys. Happy fish now. Just need to back fill and turf

27/05/2026

Last night’s family celebration at Westergate House was all about good food, time together, and making memories.

The menu included:

✨ Thai fish cakes or garlic mushrooms
✨ Steak Diane or sea bass with leek velouté
✨ Chocolate brownie or lemon pavlova
✨ Followed by birthday cake tonight to keep the celebrations going!

One day was spent exploring Whitby and the coast, and today it’s York’s turn. That’s what makes an exclusive stay at Westergate House so special. You can enjoy family time together while making the most of everything Yorkshire has to offer.

If you’re planning a birthday, anniversary, family gathering, or multi-generational break with children, exclusive use of Westergate House gives you space to relax, eat together, and enjoy each other’s company in comfort.

Just 4 miles south of York on the A19, it’s easy to head into the city, visit the coast, or explore the countryside before coming back together for a home-cooked meal around the table.

Create your own family memories at Westergate House.

26/05/2026

Abit of rain and warmth — And just like that the garden bursts into flower.

25/05/2026

Today we welcomed a family for exclusive use of the house for an 80th birthday and the garden did us proud with some beautiful flowers.

18/05/2026

Some of our guests joined the wonderful ghost walk in York last weekend — and returned absolutely delighted… and perhaps just a little reluctant to turn the lights off afterwards 👻✨

York’s winding snickelways, hidden histories, and spine-tingling tales make an evening ghost walk one of the most memorable ways to experience the city after dark. From haunted inns to mysterious sightings, it’s easy to see why York is often called one of the most haunted cities in England.

If you’re planning a stay with us and fancy a mix of history, storytelling, and a few chills along the way, we highly recommend adding a ghost walk to your visit.

Just don’t blame us if you sleep with the bedside lamp on… 🕯️

Believed to be the first exclusive ghost walk in the world. Fun but highly authentic. History, mystery, folklore and legends. A night to remember!

17/05/2026

What a lovely week it’s been here at Westergate House.

We’ve welcomed back our regular guests for the Dante Festival at York Races, including a special supper for our racing regulars — complete with one of their favourite desserts, a homemade Baked Alaska! 🎂🔥

The week and weekend has been full of birthdays and anniversaries too, which of course meant plenty of baking coming out of the kitchen. 🥂

Next week the house comes alive again with a very special exclusive-use family gathering to celebrate an 80th birthday, complete with a birthday supper here at the house. Having the whole house together for family and friends to relax, celebrate and make memories is always something rather special.

That’s what this is all about — good food, warm welcomes, and bringing people together for life’s important moments

13/05/2026

Nikki Bowling Photography excellent photographer so bound to be a stunning book we can have one here ready and waiting for you on your next stay.

07/05/2026

🍓 The first of our homegrown strawberries are ready and making their way into our daily fruit salad. Paired with our homemade toasted honey nut granola, it’s a fresh and healthy start to the day for our guests.

There’s something special about homegrown produce and home baking that we love to share at Westergate House. Simple food, made with care, always tastes better.

We’ve also just said goodbye to Waheed from Pumpernickel Healthstore after his stay with us. It’s always a pleasure meeting new people, and we’re pleased to be giving some business back to him by sourcing products from his store in the future.