Photos and information about the Golden Fleece Hotel in York where I stayed in early April 2024

Posted on by Natalie Doig

This is where I spent the night as part of my Haunted House challenge when I turned 50!

These photos will be a useful reference when listening to the Weird in the Wade podcast episode 15 released on Monday 29th April, which when it’s released you can find here.

I challenged myself to spend the night in a haunted house, by myself and for added fun I decided to stay an extra night by myself in this pub, famous for being the most haunted in York and possibly the UK. I’ll post and podcast about the other haunted house later and I will be talking about the haunted house on Wednesday 1st May on a live stream over on my YouTube channel.

A narrow building, brick built with two large windows. A golden fleece is suspended over the door. There are flower baskets below the ram. A black door and boards.
The outside of the pub. Seasider53, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Golden Fleece is found on Pavement in York right at the end of the Shambles, York’s famous medieval street. It’s a stone’s throw away from the brilliant named Whip Ma Whop Ma Gate, the shortest street in the world.

The pub is first mentioned in the city’s records in 1503 but the building today largely dates back to the early 17th century.

A plain bar of wooden settles and tables and chairs. The walls are a mustard yellow the ceiling has wooden boards. A large set of gold scales are on a wooden shelf next to an old wooden cabinet.
The front bar or top bar of the Golden Fleece.

The pub is long and thin and has a top bar, a 19th Century addition when you first enter. During much of the 19th and early 20th century this bar was used as an auctioneers and valuation site.

A red settle like seat at a wood table with an old glass fronted cabinet above it. On the left of the table is an old brick fireplace with rustic wooden mantle piece. There is a dark wood shelf above that with an assortment of odd ornaments.
The back bar fireplace and table where I had my tea

Along a corridor there are stairs to the upper floor and then you find yourself in the back bar. Here’s the seat I had my tea in on my first night. It’s where I encountered something a little unsettling. It was also on the other side of this fire place that a fellow guests experienced something similar. You can hear all about it on the podcast, but both experiences involved glasses of drink.

A human skeleton wearing a flat cap sitting on a bar stool at an old wodden bar.
The famous skeleton at the bar

This rather famous occupant sits at the bar, waiting it seems for a long time for his beer. The Golden Fleece certainly plays into it’s spooky reputation.

The corner of a bedroom with a fancy silk chair with gold cushion next to a round glass table. on the left there's a large chest of draws and TV above it. I am reflected in the TV taking the photograph. There is a large painting of Charles I in his silk robes.
Catherine’s room with a large painting of Charles I

And these final photographs are of the room I stayed in, Catherine’s room. The large paintings of Charles I and II certainly can explain that feeling of being watched that I and other’s experience when staying in this room.

As you’ll hear on the podcast on Monday I had a wonderful stay at the Golden Fleece as did my fellow guests who agreed to be recorded over breakfast. I also speak with the wonderful Rob Kirkup from How Haunted Podcast all about his experiences at this hotel as well as in York.

I would totally recommend staying at the Golden Fleece and I promise the pub have not paid me to say this at all. I wish they had!

A large double bed with red cushions and the walls of the room are red as are the lamp shades. At the end of the bed there is a gold settee with cushions. in the right hand corner is an ornate wardrobe. There is a large tiled fireplace.
Catherine’s room the double bed, lamps and wardrobe which plays a part in some of the strange goings on in the room.

Published by Natalie Doig

"Science and sorcery." It's a quote from a beekeeper I saw on the TV, about how he sees the work he does keeping bees, a balance between science and sorcery. For me it also sums up my experience of life, my interests and my outlook. I love photography which is a perfect blend of science and sorcery, using light and technology to create magical images. But when I'm not taking photos you'll find me making the podcast Weird in the Wade. I'm also often to be found writing, reading, knitting, riding my mountain bike or drinking coffee watching the world go by. By day I fight for disability rights, equality and inclusion for all.

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