A collection of six listed buildings:

Walking in the grounds of the hotel, you are walking the ground trodden three centuries ago by the widows of the freeman of York. You are treading the path of the workers at the 19th century sawmill and the place where some of the finest organs were built for the churches of York and beyond. You walk where Hans Hess, director of York City Art Gallery would entertain his good friend, Charlie Chaplin, one of the greatest laughter makers of all time.

Each individual building is steeped in local heritage and history and has its own particular story to tell....

Skeldergate House:

Was built in 1659, funded by an endowment given by Dame Anne Middleton, the wife of Peter Middleton, the then Sheriff of York. It is Dame Anne Middleton from whom the hotel has taken its name.
It was originally built as a refuge for twenty widows of the Freemen of the City of York.
It was later rebuilt and extended in 1829 at the expense of the Corporation of York and then passed to the City Of York Charity Trustees before being rescued from near dereliction by the current owners in late 1972 opening for business just six months later, in June 1973.
It houses a glass-roofed quiet lounge with some original Roman Masonry and a glass-topped well which links Skeldergate House and the Organ Factory. 18 bedrooms are located here, over two floors.

Cromwell House:

Originally built as part of an early 19th century sawmill close to the river, Cromwell House dates back to the industrial revolution.
It was here at Emperors Wharf that whole timber from Northern Europe and the Scottish forests was landed on the banks of the river, before being sold as working wood to builders, joiners, carpenters and undertakers.
Now fully renovated and extended, Cromwell House has 17 bedrooms over two floors, with the Sawmill restaurant forming an integral part of the ground floor. Much of the timber from this sawmill has been salvaged to create an architectural ambience around the hotel, which has preserved many of the buildings original features.

 The Conservatory

Was built in 1988/89 using reclaimed timbers from the old Sawmill and clad with glass, to create a bright and spacious area linking The Organ Factory and Cromwell House together.  Some timbers are from specially imported Canadian Conifer "clears" of some six metres in length.
Here you will find the semi-circular Conservatory Restaurant, guest bar and main guest lounge. The reception desk is also located here.

Chaplin House:

 This elegant town house was built in 1700 in the originally extensive gardens of Skeldergate House. Latterly the house was the residence of Hans Hess, a renowned art expert and former director of York City Art Gallery. The House is named after Charlie Chaplin, friend of the Hess family, and frequent visitor to the house. A beautiful period staircase leads to a further 9 en-suite bedrooms on three floors.

 The Organ Factory:

Built towards the end of the 19th century, the unique Victorian style building was still in use by the master organ builder, Walter Hopkins until 1921 when he retired. Walter built some of the finest organs for the churches of York and beyond.
It was converted in the early 1990's into a first floor conference room seating up to 50 delegates.

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