York

[click on the picture to enlarge it]

York was a city of great regional importance for the North of England. In the 18^th century, the population grew from 12000 to 17000. Its textile industry had declined, and the city focused its activities on social life, attempting to attract residents by building attractive surroundings such as walks by the river, and elegant housing.

Numerous houses were built, as residences for merchants or as townhouses of county families, such as Fairfax House (photo), built for Viscount Fairfax in 1762 by the York architect John Carr; it is now a period house with rooms and furniture recreating the domestic interiors of the time.

York

Engraving by William Lindley, 1759
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The Assembly Rooms built in 1730-35 according to plans by Lord Burlington, who modelled them after the design of the ’Egyptian Hall’ by Palladio; they were meant to foster prosperity by encouraging social life, and were a focus of the social season.