The rare, two-page document, dated November 1763 and signed by the 9th Viscount of Emley, offers a deeply personal look into the life of the original owner of Fairfax House and his relationship with his daughter, Ann Fairfax. The historic building is now an award-winning museum run by the York Civic Trust.

Addressed to an unnamed friend, the letter captures the social conventions of York’s Georgian elite, opening with an apology for a delay in writing before asking about his friend’s travels and referencing Gilling Castle, the family’s North Yorkshire seat.

A particularly touching moment in the letter includes a passing mention of “Miss”, a reference to his daughter Ann, for whom the house was originally built, hinting at a warm father-daughter bond. The text is written in the Viscount’s distinctively affectionate, rambling, and grammatically loose style, which historians associate with the fashionable 18th-century culture of sensibility.

The acquisition marks a major milestone as the first original manuscript written by Lord Fairfax to ever enter the York Civic Trust’s collections. Visitors can now view the historic letter on display in the library at Fairfax House. Tickets cost £8.50, or £7.50 for concessions, are valid for a full year of entry, and children aged 16 and under can get in for free.

Dr Sarah Burnage, Fairfax House Curator, said:

“The acquisition of this letter marks a significant moment for Fairfax House. For the first time, we are able to present visitors with an original document written by Lord Fairfax himself, composed within these very walls. It is a tangible piece of the house’s own history, and one that will greatly enhance our ability to bring the story of the Fairfax family to life.”

The Prime Minister confirmed the financial boost today to help the museum, which is part of the Science Museum Group, cover rising costs linked to the complex process of closing down and ‘stopping-up’ Leeman Road. The road previously cut directly through the museum site, splitting the attraction in half.

With the extra investment secured, museum bosses have confirmed they are ready to sign the main construction contract for the flagship Central Hall project within a matter of days, with building work scheduled to kick off next month. Designed by award-winning architects Feilden Fowles, the striking circular structure will reference historic locomotive roundhouses and provide level, step-free access throughout the entire museum for the first time.

Inside, the new hub will act as a modern welcome centre and feature dynamic exhibition areas, including the ‘Railway Futures: The Porterbrook Gallery’. The interactive space will focus on innovation and show visitors how emerging technologies are shaping the future of rail travel.

The completed Central Hall will sit at the cultural heart of York Central, a massive 45-hectare brownfield regeneration project. The scheme is currently transforming underused railway land into a brand-new city quarter featuring residential neighbourhoods, civic spaces, and commercial real estate.

During a press briefing, Sir Keir Starmer praised the museum, calling it “fantastic” and “part of who we are as a country”.

Speaking to journalists, the Prime Minister said:

“It’s a fantastic museum…It’s a great set-up and part of who we are as a country. I’m really pleased we’ve been able to put forward this money – and I look forward to visiting myself but also thinking about all of the people who will be visiting in the future and the experiences they will have.”

Craig Bentley, Director of the National Railway Museum, said:

“Thanks to the Prime Minister’s announcement today we can look forward to signing the contract for our ambitious Central Hall project within days, with construction beginning next month. By investing in the museum’s transformation, the Government is not only supporting changes that will engage hundreds of thousands more visitors with Britain’s railway heritage, it is also driving growth and opportunity for the city of York and the wider region.”

Ben Williams, owner of The Old Liquor Store, has unveiled a packed summer schedule designed to offer social, value-driven experiences beyond traditional standard dining. Located within the historic former Terry’s Chocolate Orange Factory at The Chocolate Works on Bishopthorpe Road, the restaurant is capitalising on its close proximity to York Racecourse to capture additional evening footfall from racegoers looking to continue their day beyond the track.

Central to the new strategy is a dedicated post-races entertainment concept named “The Final Furlong.” The evenings will feature live DJs, bespoke menus, and specialised drinks packages, running immediately after major race meetings including the John Smith’s Cup on 10 and 11 July, and the Sky Bet Ebor Festival from 19th to 22nd August.

Alongside race day trading, the venue is introducing an experimental monthly tasting menu series. This kicks off on 25th June with a plant-based night celebrating nostalgic British classics, featuring playful interpretations like a “chippy tea at home” made with nori and tofu fingers, and a “curry night” showcasing chickpea Rogan Josh and fermented black garlic rice. July’s tasting menu will focus on reimagined 1980s party food to celebrate the restaurant’s third anniversary, while the August Bank Holiday weekend will host an expanded three-day Beer Festival featuring live music, street food, and pints starting from £5.

The independent restaurant will also introduce a fixed Steak Night every Thursday starting 4th June, sourcing premium cuts from R&J Butchers, alongside its established Wednesday Burger and Quiz nights. Additionally, the venue has confirmed it will screen the upcoming England World Cup fixtures on 17th, 23rd, and 27th June to provide a more relaxed alternative to traditional sports bars.

“There’s a shift in the way people dine out and we want to stay ahead of the curve. People are looking for more than just a meal now – they want an experience, something social, memorable and good value. These events are about giving people more reasons to come together, try something different and keep supporting local hospitality businesses.”

The episode, which was filmed in November 2025 and aired on Wednesday 27th May 2026, saw eight semi-finalists battle it out in the museum’s newly revamped Station Hall. Split into three teams, the hopeful chefs had to prepare a high-pressure, three-course celebratory menu designed by top chef and judge Anna Haugh. The food was served to a packed room of 100 railway workers, volunteers, and train enthusiasts under the historic roof of the grand hall.

Station Hall only recently reopened to the public in September 2025 following a massive £11m structural and architectural facelift, timed to coincide with the museum’s 50th birthday celebrations. The huge 6,000-square-meter building has housed the museum’s prized collection of six Royal Train carriages since 1990. It also features major historical exhibits, including a rare 1921 WH Smith bookstall originally from London’s Waterloo Station and the actual funeral wreath from the locomotive that carried Queen Victoria’s coffin in 1901.

Craig Bentley, Director of the National Railway Museum, was among the guests who got to sample the semi-finalists’ dishes on the night.

“It was a real once-in-a-lifetime experience – being served a stunning 3 course meal in such a special location, surrounded by TV cameras. It was a night none of us will ever forget! We were delighted to be given the opportunity to showcase Station Hall so soon after its renovation and bring its beauty and splendour to the MasterChef crew, presenters, chefs and of course audiences at home.”

For those who missed the action on BBC One, the full episode is now available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

This year’s festival is expanding with a new marquee and outdoor bar to accommodate growing demand. Inside the Great Hall, visitors will find a Keg Beer Hall with 30 varieties, while the atmospheric Undercroft will house a 50-foot Cask Bar featuring 40 additional beers. Beyond the ale, the event includes a gin and rum showcase by Hooting Owl, a Champagne and wine bar, and food from local street vendors.

The festival serves as a major fundraiser for the Merchant Adventurers’ Charitable Trust, which supports regional education initiatives. Last year, the event raised £28,000, funding projects like the “Merchant Adventurers’ Experience” for primary schools and business courses for local teenagers.

Lee Grabham, Co-founder of Brew York, said:

“2026 promises to be our most impressive festival yet with the addition of a new marquee and outdoor bar. This will help us meet the growing demand and bring even greater variety to the beer offering. Don’t miss out on the highlight of the York beer calendar!”

Jim Richardson, Clerk of The Company of Merchant Adventurers’, added:

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to welcome people into the Hall, celebrate Yorkshire’s outstanding brewing community and, most importantly, generate vital support for our charitable work with young people across the region.”

Tickets are now available for four separate sessions across the weekend. For more information and to book, visit the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall website.

From Saturday 23rd May to Sunday 31st May, the park is launching a brand-new Afternoon Pass. For just £2 more than a standard 60-minute session, jumpers get 90 minutes of Open Play starting from 4:30 pm, followed by a hot meal (think chicken tenders and chips or mac and cheese) and a refreshing slush. It’s designed as an all-in-one solution for parents who want to combine a big play session with dinner.

For those who know they’ll be back multiple times, the May Half Term Pass is making a return. For £30, you get five 60-minute sessions, which brings the cost down to just £6 per jump. The pass is super flexible- you can use multiple sessions on the same day if you’ve got a group, and it’s valid all the way through to Monday 1st June, including the Bank Holiday.

If you’re heading down as a group of four, the Play Together ticket is the best bet, offering four people 60 minutes of play for the price of three – an automatic 25% saving.

You can find more info or get booked in at oxygenactiveplay.co.uk.

Led by Yorkshire-based specialists DT Sports (part of Design Tonic), the refurbishment covers 11 private suites with a total capacity for 280 guests. The redesign focuses on a “contemporary and timeless” aesthetic, featuring bespoke interiors, integrated large-screen technology, and enhanced catering facilities.

The suites occupy a prime position overlooking the final furlong, providing uninterrupted views of the action. Designed for flexibility, the spaces can transition between intimate private parties and large-scale corporate events. The new-look hospitality will be officially unveiled during the Dante Festival, running from 13–15 May.

Gavin Pattison, Facilities Manager at York Racecourse, said:

“Our ambition is to deliver a best-in-class hospitality experience. The expertise of DT Sports has resulted in a collection of suites that truly reflect the racecourse’s high standards and the level of comfort we want to offer our guests. We’re incredibly excited to see the space come to life at the upcoming Dante Festival.”

Will Snaith, Group Sales Director at Design Tonic, added:

“Working on such an iconic venue has been a privilege. Our aim has been to create interiors that feel both contemporary and timeless, setting the standard for an exceptional hospitality experience.”

The 14th-century Tudor building at 83–87 Micklegate is currently undergoing a programme of maintenance to its roof, timber, and drainage. Once these structural repairs are completed in spring 2026, 87 Micklegate will reopen as a holiday apartment managed by Wheelwrights York. The building has a varied history, having previously housed butchers, drapers, and saddle makers.

Nearby at 69–71 Micklegate, Wheelwrights York will take over the full lease and management of three apartments and Trinity Cottage. This medieval timber-framed building, which also contains Georgian masonry and Roman structures in the basement, was saved through a £1 million restoration project in 2014. Wheelwrights, who already base their office on the ground floor, will redecorate and furnish the spaces to prepare them for regular use by visitors.

Jerry Rebbeck said: “These Micklegate buildings are an important part of York’s history, and we’re proud to be working alongside York Conservation Trust to make sure they are well protected, cared for, and actively used for many more years to come. Taking on the full lease of the building feels like a natural next step. This will allow us to invest in the apartments and cottage, and create characterful stays right in the heart of the city.”

Guy Bowyer said: “Our quirky property layouts lend themselves ideally to holiday lets. They’re great to stay in for a short time but hard to live in and they support our core charitable objective of promoting the enjoyment of our historic buildings. The new lease of 69-71 Micklegate marks an important milestone for the building’s future, allowing the Wheelwrights team to continue their good work managing the properties while investing in their long-term use.”

For more information on these historic stays, visit www.wheelwrightsyork.com.

This performance marks a unique addition to the local holiday calendar by offering a sensory experience designed to captivate children and adults alike. By combining fluid dynamics with stagecraft, the event provides a calming alternative to screen time and has been noted for its ability to engage neurodivergent children through its mesmerising effects.

The showcase features cutting-edge artistry, including LED effects, fog, and fire. Highlights of the performance include an indoor storm made of millions of bubbles and a massive bubble wall that the artist manipulates in ways that have been described as astonishing.

Bubbles LaFae, the first artist of her kind endorsed by the Arts Council, said “I’ve had mums of neurodivergent little ones tell me their child literally never sits still. Yet they’ll happily watch my entire hour-long performance, good as gold.”

She commented, “It captivates the imagination – a pure, innocent form of joy that reminds people of all ages how to play.”

Following the main event, a separately ticketed workshop allows children to step onto the Friargate Theatre stage. Here, they can learn the science behind the bubbles using illuminated light tables and get the chance to stand inside a giant bubble for a holiday photo.

The artist recently returned from a keynote speech at an international conference regarding her specialised bubble recipe. She said “I’ve spent two decades honing my bubble recipe so it can do things people have never seen before. There are no illusions in my show. It’s all real magic.”

Tickets for the live show are priced at £12.50, and the performance begins at 2pm.

The trampoline park is launching an Easter Holiday Pass that gives families ten 60-minute “Open Play” sessions for £30. This brings the cost down to just £3 per session, which is a 77% saving on the standard price. The pass is valid throughout the break, from Saturday 28th March to Monday 13th April 2026.

Jumpers will have full access to the park’s features, including the interconnected trampolines, a parkour area, the airbag jump, and the trapeze. If you aren’t looking for a multi-session pass, the park is also offering a Play Together ticket, where four people can jump for the price of three.

The holiday schedule is packed with several one-off events as well:

• Toddler Bunny Bounce: Taking place on Friday 27th March from 10am to 12pm. For £20, parents and toddlers can enjoy Easter story time, bag decorating for an egg hunt, and hot cross buns.
• Neon Night: A glow-in-the-dark party kicks off the Bank Holiday weekend on Friday 3rd April from 6pm to 8pm. Tickets are £21 and include two hours of jumping, party tunes, games, and a meal.

Oxygen York’s “Hero Crew” will be on hand throughout the holidays to lead games and dances. Whether you have “little hoppers” or older kids looking to practice their flips, the park is positioning itself as the go-to spot for burning off some holiday energy.

You can book the holiday pass or any of the special events directly through the oxygenactiveplay.co.uk website.