The Bar Convent is the oldest living convent in England. Frances Bedingfield founded the Convent in 1686 during the time of persecution for Catholics in England. A school for Catholic girls was established on the current site and the surviving Grade 1 listed Georgian building, which dates back to the 1760’s, now offers a variety of award winning facilities for historians, the general public and businesses alike.

The present buildings include what was once an open courtyard but which is now a splendid Victorian tiled Entrance Hall known as the ‘Winter Garden’. There is also the Great Parlour, with its portraits of the early sisters, the library of antique books, the richly endowed archive rooms and finally, the stunningly beautiful neo-classical chapel, completed in secret in 1769 by the York architect Thomas Atkinson before the repeal of the Penal Laws for Catholic Chapels in 1791. The chapel is open to visitors throughout the day and Mass is held every Friday at noon.

In addition to the general architectural and historical interest of the site, the convent has a fascinating museum bringing to life the history of the Bar Convent and religion in the North of England.

The Bar Convent Museum was opened in 1987 to tell the story of Mary Ward, a pioneer of education for women, who founded a world-wide institute known as the Congregation of Jesus and the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The community still lives and works at the Bar Convent today and visitors can take a tour in the presence of one of the Sisters or a volunteer. Tours take on average 1.5 hours to see the Parlour, the house and Chapel and the Museum.