You will spot it by its slender red-brick facade, the elegantly arched windows on the ground floor, and the lovely hanging sign shaped like a blue bell. Just a short stroll from the Shambles Market we explored earlier, we find one of the city's most stubborn little treasures.
The building began in the late seventeenth century as a timber-framed house with a jettied front. It was eventually refronted in brick and opened as The Blue Bell in 1798. But the real charm lies in a 1903 remodel by a local pub chain. Amazingly, the inside has not changed since. It is one of the very few pubs awarded a Grade II star listing entirely for its interior, which is a high British designation protecting exceptionally rare historic buildings. If you look inside, it still has the original varnished wood panels, glazed screens, and a tiny entrance lobby. For nearly ninety years, it was fiercely protected by one family. George Robinson, who actually helped found the York City Football Club, passed it down to his wife, and then to their daughter Edith, who finally retired in 1992. The pub is wonderfully tiny, holding just sixty-five people. To this day, it bans large groups, swearing, and music. They used to hang a fake private party sign on the door to scare off loud crowds, though loyal regulars knew they could just ignore it and walk right in. It remains an inexpensive spot, open every day from noon to eleven at night. Admire this wonderful survivor, and let's take a quick walk over to the Golden Fleece.
