Five Fabulous Stately Homes and Historic Halls to Explore in Yorkshire
Yorkshire is home to so many magnificent country houses
BURTON AGNES HALL
A magnificent manor house, grounds, woodland, adventure playground, and walled garden mean there’s lots to see and do at Burton Agnes Hall. The specially planted woodland walk is about a mile long, kids and big kids will love the double zip wire and tyre swings, while a gentler toddler play area means no one’s left out here. History buffs will want to explore the Hall itself though (which is reputed to be haunted). This Christmas the house will be decorated with original, handmade decorations, many crafted from flowers and foliage cropped and dried from the walled garden.
Burton Agnes, Driffield YO25 4NB
01262 490324
burtonagnes.com
HAREWOOD HOUSE
Harewood House was built in the 18th century, and its grand rooms are home to an impressive art collection (today there are paintings by masters of the Italian Renaissance, family portraits by Reynolds, Hopper and Lawrence, and modern art collected by the current Earl and Countess). Kids will love exploring their new playscape, and this Christmas visitors can enjoy the long awaited sequel to 2019’s award-winning Night at the Mansion, where singing baubles, swirling ceilings and gossiping statues are taking over until 5th January.
Harewood, Leeds LS17 9LG
0113 218 1010
harewood.org
CASTLE HOWARD
Castle Howard is one of the finest stately homes in Britain, so much so that it has played ‘Brideshead’ in not one, but two adaptations of Evelyn Waugh’s classic. The house is also home to works of art of international significance, with a priceless collection gathered by the third, fourth and fifth Earls as they travelled widely in Europe. It includes paintings by Italian masters Bassano, Bedoli, Bellini, Carracci and Titian, and English artists including Sir Joshua Reynolds, Johann Zoffany, and Thomas Gainsborough. With this in mind, the best way to really understand the incredible history of Castle Howard is to book onto a guided tour. This Christmas go down the rabbit hole to Alice’s Christmas Wonderland (until 5th January) where a journey through Castle Howard’s grand halls and regal rooms promises a twist and turn revealing festive surprises.
York YO60 7DA
01653 648333
castlehoward.co.uk
SEWERBY HALL, GARDENS & ZOO
There’s always something new to discover at Sewerby Hall, Gardens and Zoo. Set in 50 acres of early 19th century parkland, the Grade-I listed house has been restored to all its Edwardian glory, furnished with appropriate pieces from the Victoria and Albert Museum and beyond and is well worth exploring before you head out into the the walled garden, pleasure garden, picnic areas and zoo that await beyond its walls. This Christmas, don't miss Sewerby Winter Woodland (until 22nd December) – an all-new spectacular display of lights sounds, and special effects which will take over the grounds. Inside, there'll be a festive exhibition exploring the origin, history and adaptations of the much-loved fairytale Puss in Boots.
Church Lane, Sewerby, Bridlington YO15 1ED
01262 673769
sewerbyhall.co.uk
WENTWORTH WOODHOUSE
Wentworth Woodhouse is just 10 miles north of Sheffield, offers 87 acres of gardens and grounds to explore and has the longest façade of any country house in England. No one knows what the original house which stood here actually looked like but the current house was built for the first Marquess of Rockingham from 1725, and was then passed to the Fitzwilliam family. Visit the house until 29th December to go back in time through the state rooms and the whole family will enjoy a magical light trail in the West Front Gardens.
Wentworth, Rotherham S62 7TQ
01226 351161
wentworthwoodhouse.org.uk
