Restoration works under way on Britain’s oldest living convent

York’s Bar Convent is undergoing a major conservation project.

It will involve careful restoration or renewal of many of the building’s original features, helping to ensure the historic property is preserved for future generations.

Famed for being Britain’s oldest living convent – founded in 1686 – and the country’s second ever school for girls, the Bar Convent is one of the city’s best known buildings, located on the corner of Nunnery Lane and Blossom Street near Micklegate Bar.

Formally known as the Bar Convent Living Heritage Centre, it houses an 18th century chapel, which features the relic of St Margaret Clitherow, a modern exhibition, a 22-bedroom guest house, café, gift shop, garden and three meeting rooms.

The restoration and refurbishment will involve repair and redecoration of more than 280 windows, re-roofing of 19-21 Blossom Street with Welsh slate and many minor repairs to the building’s brickwork and stonework.

Parts of the building are Grade I listed, and others Grade II, which means all the building work must be conducted within strict guidelines.

York-based CG Building & Restoration Ltd has been tasked with completing the sensitive conservation work, working with local project managers Gate & Bar.

James Foster, chief operations officer at the Bar Convent Living Heritage Centre, said: “We work continuously to keep the buildings in good condition but given their age, every few years it is inevitable that more substantial conservation work needs to be undertaken.

“This latest project is our first major programme since 2015, giving us the chance to renew some significant exterior features of the building with the help of local construction professionals who know the city and the Bar Convent’s heritage extremely well.”

Vernon Carter, managing director of CG Building & Restoration Ltd, added: “We are thrilled to have been given the opportunity to work on such a high-profile historic building in York.

“The work required suits our expertise perfectly, and we look forward to making our contribution to the long term future of a building that is not only locally significant, but internationally.”

Nathan Hughes, director of Gate & Bar said “This project comes with a great level of responsibility to safeguard the future of the building.

“Our team are now familiar faces at the Bar Convent given the significant time spent there to understand the complexities of both the conservation and current use of the site.

“We are pleased to have appointed CG Building & Restoration as main contractor to work with ourselves and the client to work towards such a meaningful goal.”

Work on the conservation project is due for completion in about six months.