Guy Fawkes Inn is one location that never celebrates November 5
Published 14th Oct 2026, 06:00 BST
Said to be the birthplace of the infamous Gunpowder Plot conspirator, Guy Fawkes Inn is one location that never celebrates November 5.
“As the centuries have passed, we have firework displays and bonfires,” says Simon Cotton, Managing Director at Fat Badger Group, which acquired Guy Fawkes Inn in 2010. “People use it as a night of celebration, but in terms of why it came about, it's not really something to celebrate,” he adds.
Historical records suggest Fawkes was born in a Tudor cottage within the grounds of the Guy Fawkes Inn.
Born into a Protestant family, Guy was introduced to Catholicism when his mother remarried to Dionysius Bainbridge. At 21, after converting to Catholicism, Guy left the streets of York behind and fought for Spain in the Eighty Years’ War.
In 1605, Guy was arrested after being discovered with explosives beneath the Houses of Parliament. He became the most famous conspirator of the Gunpowder Plot: an attempt to kill King James I.
Guy Fawkes Inn sits on High Petergate, opposite St Michael Le Belfrey, where Guy was baptised on April 16, 1570.
“He went to school at St Peter's, which is just several hundred yards up the road, and was baptised at the Belfrey,” says Simon. He adds that Guy came from a relatively wealthy family: “His grandmother was the daughter of a prominent merchant who served as Lord Mayor of York in 1536.”
Front-facing rooms have York Minster views, and the original guestrooms are named after the 13 Gunpowder Plot conspirators. Wandering the property is a maze of wooden panelling, dark-painted walls, and portraits of Guy Fawkes.
Even the restaurant has nods to the Gunpowder Plot. “We've had an artist freehand some writing on the wall so people can read a little bit of the history,” says Simon.
Guy Fawkes Inn has recently expanded into an adjoining Grade I-listed building, increasing from 13 to 27 guestrooms.
For an autumn staycation, visitors can plan Guy Fawkes-themed sightseeing.
York Dungeon has spooky interactions, and Guy Fawkes Inn runs walking tours of York. From September 16 to December 5, The Bar Convent is running an exhibit: The Gunpowder Plot: York’s Untold Story.
The hotel itself also attracts ghost hunters and paranormal experts. “A couple of guests over the years have felt a presence in those old bedrooms,” adds Simon.