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4-star hotel Check-in 00:00 · Check-out 11:00

The Fat Badger

Stay at The Fat Badger, a 17th-century inn in York offering chic rooms, full Yorkshire breakfast, free Wi-Fi, and close to York Minster and Shambles street.

2-4 High Petergate, York YO1 7EH, United Kingdom View on map
8.8/10
Very Good Based on 2178 recent guest reviews
Free Wi-Fi Paid breakfast Kid-friendly Restaurant Bar
What recent guests emphasize

Balanced comfort in a historic pub setting

Recent visitors appreciate the warm service, traditional pub atmosphere, and convenient location near York Minster, with some noting areas for improvement related to lighting and noise.

Guests often praise

  • Friendly, attentive staff offering welcoming service and helpful recommendations.
  • Enjoyable food and drink options, especially breakfast and classic pub fare like fish and chips.
  • Convenient central location close to York Minster and key attractions.
  • Cosy, charming atmosphere with a great bar and promising outdoor beer garden.

Worth knowing

  • Rooms can be dark due to limited lighting and some bulbs not working properly.
  • Noise from the street and building creaks may affect light sleepers.
  • Parking is not available onsite; nearby car parks can be expensive and require a walk.
  • The establishment is not air-conditioned or accessible for guests with mobility needs.
  • Breakfast and food quality are mostly praised, though occasional slower service or temperature issues have been reported.

Best for

  • Visitors seeking atmosphere and history in a central York location.
  • Guests who enjoy traditional pub food with a relaxed, friendly vibe.
  • Travelers looking for a cosy bar and casual dining experience.
  • Those planning to explore York’s main sights on foot, including the Minster and Shambles.
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About this property

Welcome to The Fat Badger

Located in the heart of York at 2-4 High Petergate, The Fat Badger is a 17th-century brick inn and pub offering simple yet stylish accommodations. Its setting places guests within easy reach of historic landmarks, including the Gothic-style York Minster and the atmospheric Shambles street. The inn’s combination of traditional architecture and modern comforts creates a distinctive atmosphere appreciated by many visitors.

The property features cosy, kid-friendly rooms with free Wi-Fi, though some guests have noted that lighting can be dim and noise levels higher due to the building's age and location. Check-in is available from midnight with checkout by 11:00 AM. While air conditioning, parking, and pet facilities are not provided, the on-site bar and restaurant serve a full Yorkshire breakfast and a variety of meals, which receive positive remarks for both quality and atmosphere.

Reviewers commonly praise the attentive and welcoming staff, the inviting bar area, and the pleasant beer garden, especially in good weather. However, there are occasional mentions of minor issues such as inconsistent food temperature and limited lighting in rooms. Overall, The Fat Badger suits travellers seeking an authentic York experience close to major attractions, with a focus on convivial pub-style dining and relaxed, informal lodging.

For those planning to explore nearby sights like the National Railway Museum or the JORVIK Viking Centre, the inn’s central location is highly convenient. Nearby airports including Leeds Bradford and Teesside International are accessible within around an hour by car. Several well-rated hotels and guesthouses are also located close by, offering alternatives within the same vibrant area of the city.

Summary compiled by GoHotelly editors from verified guest reviews, partner descriptions and editorial notes.
Facilities & essentials

What's on-site and what you should know before you arrive

The short version: what's available day-to-day, and the key practical details most travelers search for.

Most popular facilities

Free Wi-Fi
Paid breakfast
Kid-friendly
Restaurant
Bar
Smoke-free

Not available at this property

Parking
Accessible
Pool
Air-conditioned
Pet-friendly
Airport shuttle
Fitness center
Verified guest reviews

What recent guests are actually saying

Reviews from travelers who stayed here in the last 12 months, grouped to help you spot the pattern quickly.

IS
Isobel Stubbs Apr 07, 2026
10

Spotted the Fat Badger on a lovely walk around the city walls and decided to make a stop. It was very busy (owing to its excellence) but the manager was very welcoming and attentive and she sat us quickly in a cosy room downstairs. I had fish and chips with delicious crispy batter and tartar sauce. Fantastic service, food and atmosphere. Credit to the managers and staff. I’ll be back in the summer to enjoy a drink in their fantastic beer garden.

C&T
Cameron & Trez Jamieson Mar 21, 2026
8.0

Just down from the Minster. A pub that has lots of nooks and crannies to go and sit in. Not busy when we went in for a drink. Had breakfast in there as our hotel Guy Fawkes ( 1 star review) wasn't doing it on our first day. The breakfast was tasty, full English for me and smoked salmon and scrambled eggs for my wife.

B
BrianJ Mar 20, 2026
10

We have just spent 2 lovely nights here & we thoroughly enjoyed it. The location is perfect for York centre & right next to the minster. They have a nice bar area serving good real ale & the garden out back looked terrific for when there is better weather. We had a lovely breakfast on both mornings. Only slight niggle was that our room was very dark. Most of the bulbs in the main light were not working. Despite that it’s still worth booking.

PA
Paula Allman-Brooke Feb 28, 2026
10

Visited here in November. The staff & drinks were fantastic. The staff went above & beyond checking in when a group of men were being a little over familiar. Fantastic set of staff. 100% recommend for feeling safe with a great atmosphere. Thank you again guys

CS
C S Jan 29, 2026
8.0

Visited for lunch. Lovely atmosphere, great staff, and food was full of flavour but I have to take a star off as the pies were tepid at best. Big oversight from the kitchen. Had already waited quite a while and we were feeling rushed so didn't really have time to send them back. Still enjoyed them, just expected better quality control.

C
Carol Jan 26, 2026
10

Spent the weekend visiting the York Xmas Market and booked the Fat Badger for one of our meals. We were not disappointed. It is a small but quaint pub in the corner of one of the streets of York, but still easily found. We treated ourselves to a steak and a fish. The order was fast and efficient and came with real chips which is very rare these days. We also treated ourselves to a tasty sweet. Prices were competitively priced to the area. You must book though as York is a busy city and favourite public houses get booked up very quickly

GH
Gemma Hill Jan 10, 2026
8.0

Stayed for one night as was away for work. Checked in smoothly. Is around a 10 min walk from the car park which cost £22.50 a night so maybe don’t park in the one they suggest on the website! Room really nice, a little on the dark side as all the bulbs are dim. Don’t expect a lie in as there’s lots of noise in the morning and being an old building is creaky. I ordered room service which was super easy with a QR code and very prompt! Breakfast was10/10, black pudding absolutely delicious! Would return

HM
Holly Mills Jan 09, 2026
10

I popped by the Fat Badger yesterday after perusing York and so glad I did, what a hidden gem! I had the most delightful welcome by a manager (Katie?) and she sat us at a great table, warm atmosphere, comfy seats. She made some excellent recommendations and I followed her… to heaven! What a treat :D I will be back, don’t miss out on this amazing traditional pub

Location & neighborhood

Where you'll find The Fat Badger

York, UK

Historic area with Gothic-style York Minster cathedral, cobbled Shambles street & waterfront pubs.

  • York (YRK) 12 min Walk
  • Gillygate 3 min Walk
  • Theatre Royal (Stop EE) 2 min Walk
  • Leeds Bradford Airport 58 min Car · 1 hr 24 Transit
  • Teesside International Airport 1 hr 9 Car · 1 hr 32 Transit
  • Humberside Airport 1 hr 21 Car · 2 hr 17 Transit
Things to do nearby

Worth the walk or a quick ride

Curated spots travelers usually pair with a stay in York. Distances are rough real-world times, not straight-line.

York Minster 23,670 reviews

York Minster

Deangate, York YO1 7HH, United Kingdom

4.7 · Cathedral
National Railway Museum York 31,026 reviews

National Railway Museum York

Leeman Rd, York YO26 4XJ, United Kingdom

4.7 · Rail Museum
JORVIK Viking Centre 13,724 reviews

JORVIK Viking Centre

19 Coppergate, York YO1 9WT, United Kingdom

4.6 · History Museum
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