Holy Island House

Holy Island House, dated 1657, is a two-storey and attic dwelling on Holy Island. It was formerly known as No 2 (Holy Island Cottage). The exterior is built of rubble with decorative strings above the ground and first floors, and kneelers to the slate roof verges. Exposed beam ends mark the floor levels. The first-floor windows are glazing bar sashes, replacing earlier windows, while the ground floor retains two-, four-, two- and four-light mullioned windows. Two gabled dormers, each with four lights and kneelers, light the attic. The central doorway has a four-centred arched head, with a raised string and a carved lintel reading "T.K.B. over "1657". Three later brick chimneys have been added to the roof. A window is also present in the north gable end of the second floor.

At the rear, steps lead to the centre of the first floor.

Inside, the south ground-floor room contains a notably wide fireplace with moulded reveals, the lintel being cracked and repaired. The second floor retains three upper cruck roof timbers, with peg-supported purlins. A small, decorative door on the second floor features hammered patterns and moulded details.

Holy Island House is part of a group with Holy Island Cottage and numbers 45 to 49 (odd) Gilesgate, alongside Giles Place (numbers 1 to 5) Giles Place, which are of local interest.