The Golden Ball is a pub in the Bishophill area of central York, in England. The first record of the pub was in 1773. The core part of the building was constructed in the early 19th century. In 1883, a house for the publican was constructed by Benson & Minks, adjoining the pub. The pub was sold to Braime's Brewery in 1884, and this in 1902 was taken over by John Smith's Brewery. In 1929, the pub was constructed by their architect Bertram Wilson. He combined the two buildings, raised the ceiling height in the older part of the building, and decorated the front of the pub. In the 1990s, an additional room was added to the pub, from what was formerly a private area. The pub has otherwise been little altered since the 1920s, and is described by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) as "the most complete surviving inter-war scheme by John Smith's". In 2010, the pub was grade II listed on the initiative of CAMRA, and it appears on that organisation's National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors. In 2012, the pub was taken over by a co-operative of local residents. Since then, it has held beer festivals, an annual summer fete, and sells works by local artists. It also hosts local music nights. The pub has two storeys and a cellar. The whole building is constructed of brick, but the older part, on the corner of Victor Street, has tiling at the ground floor level, and is rendered at the first floor. Its entrance is on Cromwell Road, opening onto a corridor, with the former smoke bar on the left, and the public bar on the right. Historic England notes that it has the only known surviving example of a "bar-side seating alcove", known as a "hall". There is a now-disused doorway for take-away sales, signed "Jug & Bottle Dept". The ground floor windows on Victor Street incorporate etched glass, advertising John Smiths and Magnet Ales. Many internal fittings survive from the 1929 redesign, including doors, tiling, flooring, and the bar.

Nearby Places View Menu
Location Image
51 m

St Mary Bishophill Senior

St Mary Bishophill Senior was an Anglican parish church in the Bishophill area of York, in England. In about 350, a villa was built on the site, with an open courtyard. In the 10th century, a rectangular enclosure was formed on the site, probably representing a religious burial ground. A church was constructed in the early 11th century, a small rectangular stone building, reusing some Roman and Northumbrian stones. In about 1180, a north aisle was added, and a south door was inserted. The enclosure was also enlarged, to both east and west. In the early 13th century, a chancel was added, longer than the original structure, which became the church nave. In about 1300, the north aisle was extended one bay further east, and in about 1319 a north chapel was built. The north aisle of the chancel was rebuilt, perhaps in 1403, while in the late 15th century two south windows were inserted, and the east window and roof were replaced. In the 17th century, brick was used to heighten the chancel, and in 1659 a north west tower was built, replacing a detached tower in the churchyard. The oldest surviving record of the church dates from 1202. Both the crown and successive noble families had the right to appoint rectors, and the church often had two incumbents, until the mid 18th century. In 1586, the parish was extended to include Clementhorpe, outside York city walls. Work on the church continued when a brick porch was added in the late 18th century, and in 1841 a gallery was built, to house a growing congregation. The church was restored in 1866 by J. B. and W. Atkinson, but it soon fell into decline. in 1876 the new St Clement's Church was made the parish church, with St Mary reduced to being a chapel of ease. This decision was unpopular with parishoners, and in 1885 the church was instead moved into the parish of St Mary Bishophill Junior. The church was used for worship until 1919, and was closed entirely in 1930. By 1950, it was in a poor state of repair, and although it was grade I listed, it was demolished in 1963. Excavations were carried out on the site, but speculation that there had been a Saxon cathedral on the site was not confirmed. On demolition, some monuments and fittings were moved to St Clement's Church on Scarcroft Road, the organ and plate were moved to St Mary Bishophill Junior, and parts of the fabric were re-used in the construction of Holy Redeemer Church, on Boroughbridge Road. Shortly after, York Civic Trust described these as "all the interesting parts of the structure". The churchyard survives, including a number of memorials, and the wall and gates, which largely date from the 17th to the 19th centuries and are grade II listed. The section to the south-east may incorporate part of the Saxon boundary wall.
Location Image
74 m

Lady Anne House

Lady Anne House is a former almshouse, now a hotel, in York, in England. The almshouse was founded by Ann Middleton, in 1659, on a site on Skeldergate, in the Bishophill area of York. Known as Middleton's Hospital, it had 22 apartments around a small yard, housing 20 widows. In 1827, the hospital was demolished, and rebuilt further back from the street, as a two-storey brick structure. It was designed by Peter Atkinson, and was completed in 1829. The garden walls also date from this period. In the centre of the front is a statue of a woman in Puritan dress, which is believed to survive from the original building. In 1939, the building was modernised, to house ten residents and a warden; however, by 1972, the building was in a poor state of repair. It was purchased by the owners of the hotel at 56 Skeldergate, who restored it, and incorporated it into their hotel, which is now known as Middletons Hotel. Since 1954, it has been a Grade II* listed building.
Location Image
108 m

Skeldergate House Hotel

Skeldergate House Hotel is a Grade II* listed building in the Bishophill area of central York, in England. An earlier house at 56 Skeldergate was purchased by Ralph Dodsworth in 1769. In 1777, he became Sheriff of York, and it is believed that this inspired him to commission John Carr to design him a new house, large enough to entertain groups. Dodsworth died in 1796, and the house was let to the merchant Thomas Smith, who purchased it in 1807, then sold it to William Cooper in 1825, for £900. His son later brought it into business use. In 1925, a carriageway was constructed through the building, to provide access to the rear yard, leading to the demolition of some rooms and a rear service wing. In the mid-20th century, the house was owned by Hans Hess, director of York Art Gallery. In the property, he hosted guests including Charlie Chaplin, Benjamin Britten and Cleo Laine. It later became a hotel, more recently, part of Middletons Hotel. In 1998/1999, the carriageway was filled in, restoring the building to its original appearance. As part of the restoration, it became the hotel's conference suite, and more recently has been converted into nine bedrooms and a lounge. The three-storey building is built of brick. Most of the windows in the main front are original, as is the door and doorcase. Inside, most of the original fittings of the left-hand ground floor room survive, along with a late 19th-century fireplace. The entrance hall also has original plasterwork, and some survives in the stair hall and first-floor landing. The staircase has been completely rebuilt, using some original furnishings.
Location Image
120 m

Skeldergate

Skeldergate is a street in the city centre of York, in England. The street is now primarily residential, with many of its warehouse buildings having been converted into apartments.