TUCKED away in York is the oldest convent in the UK – and you can spend the night.
The Bar Convent has been used as a place of worship, a school for girls, and has since turned into a heritage site, café and guest house, but is still home to 30 nuns.
The Bar Convent first opened in 1686 and is the oldest surviving convent in the British Isles.
Interestingly when it opened, the law in prevented Catholic convents, so it was established and operated in secret.
The convent was later set up as a boarding school for girls, and the women working there faced religious discrimination for years.
Many years later during , the convent was struck by bomb which destroyed the East Wing.
You can still see the changes in the brickwork from where the building was repaired later on.
The Grade I listed buildings were renovated in 2015, and on-site now is a museum, café, meeting rooms and a guest house.
While it operates as a spot for tourists to visit, the Bar Convent is still home to around 30 nuns.
For anyone wanting to stay at the Bar Convent Guest House, there are 22 rooms to choose from.
Each is very modern, and they vary in size from a single room to doubles, family room, and superior rooms.
Prices for a stay start from £77 for bed and breakfast.
The on-site cafe is open to visitors and they offer a fresh daily selection of homemade soup, cakes and scones, with sandwiches made to order and a specials board.
The Bar Convent's close proximity to the centre of York and rich means it's popular with visitors for an overnight stay or just a flying visit.
On , one guest wrote: “The secret chapel is a beautiful retreat” with others saying it's a “real hidden gem” and “extraordinary”.
Another added: “The nuns who don't wear habits are around but in no way intrusive. But do remember that it's their home as well.”
With such a rich history the convent also has exhibitions where visitors can see artefacts of previous convent residents.
They also have a tour every Wednesday and Friday with a guide who will explain the story of the sisters.
Here are .
Plus, some of the .
