Affectionally known as Bishy Road to locals, Bishopthorpe Road is home to an award-winning collection of independent shops and is the frequent venue for street parties. It's a great place to stay near if you want to see a more authentic side of York and as luck would have it, this house sits on a side street just off the famous thoroughfare. We can't really find anything to fault with the interior — the long, open living space on the ground floor is bright and welcoming thanks to a big bay window on one side and glass doors on the other. Go through these and you'll be greeted by a courtyard with seating for alfresco feasts in the summer months. For want of a better word, it's all very homely, which is exactly what you want when visiting a new city. If you fancy a jaunt into the historic centre, you can be on the other side of the River Ouse in under ten minutes on foot.

Home truths:
*Guests get a parking permit for an on-street space for one car
*The home is split across two floors, so it might not be suitable for guests with reduced mobility
*A cot can be provided if required
*There's no desk but there's a laptop-friendly workspace on the dining table