Fairfax House — Attraction in England

My friend and I greatly enjoyed our visit to Fairfax House except it was disappointing that being partially disabled, I couldn’t get upstairs and I think it’s sad that more provision is not made for disabled visitors - even at the front entrance there is no help for disabled people. When this happened at the York Museum, we had our tickets discounted to a Restricted Access ticket. We also found it quite remarkable that even though Fairfax House was designed by the same person who designed Lytham Hall at Lytham in Lancashire and, indeed one of the ladies at Fairfax House was actually engaged to one one of the Cliftons from Lytham Hall, only one of your Guides knew this and even the one that did know, only had sketchy information. It was fun trying to write with a quill pen and the information cards in the kitchen made great reading while I sat there waiting for my friend who had gone upstairs. One Guide had helpfully found me somewhere to sit and wait and I chatted to people who came into the kitchen, some of whom thought I worked there, which was very amusing and made an enjoyable visit...

It would have been easy to miss this beautifully restored Georgian townhouse tucked away in its side street behind Clifford's Tower, but I'm so glad I didn't! Spent a really interesting hour here. Admission was £7.50 (the ticket is valid for a year) and I also bought a very informative guidebook for £4. The lady in the gift shop at the entrance was welcoming, kind and friendly. Was free to tour the rooms at my leisure, but there were enthusiastic guides all over the house keen to share their knowledge. It was interesting to hear all about the Fairfax family and the links with the Terry's chocolate manufacturers. The rooms with their marvellous stucco ceilings are decorated in their original colours and filled with elegant furniture, paintings, clocks and ornaments. Loved how they were made to look as though they were lived in, with card games in the saloon and the dining table laid with a banquet! Came away with a real sense of what life was like in a wealthy Georgian home....

Worst customer service encountered. A real shame our vista was ruined by the unhelpful and fraudulent manager. The house itself is beautiful and the volunteer guides lovely and knowledgeable. What a shame then that the manageress started locking up the rooms 20 mins before closing time and would not reopen the main bedroom we hadn't seen despite the guides and ourselves requesting this. All we wanted to do was poke our heads round the door! We were told to come back the next day but explained we were setting off on a 6 hour drive the next morning. She really couldn't have cared less. Despite advertising a ticket which said they were open to 1600 we saw all the staff standing outside the steps at 1550 having locked up! Absolutely disgraceful and the worst tour experience I've had. If you don't want to stay open until 1600 please don't...