The Golden Fleece on Pavement is one of York's oldest pubs, first recorded as licensed in 1503, in a building that may be older still. The name refers to the wool trade that dominated medieval York's economy, and the pub is positioned on Pavement, one of the city's oldest markets. The building is timber-framed and multi-storey, with floors that slope and rooms that lean in the way of very old buildings.
York sustains a substantial ghost-tour industry — the city claims to be the most haunted in England, which may or may not be statistically meaningful — and the Golden Fleece features prominently on most itineraries. The pub embraces this reputation with some enthusiasm. The ales are decent and the upstairs rooms provide a good view of the street below. It is a lively pub on weekend evenings, especially when ghost tours are collecting outside.