Newby Hall and Gardens, Ripon (North York Moors)

Summary 17th century buildings No smoking Art and sculpture Guided tours Gift shop Gardens Children's play area Woodland walks Free car parking (on site)

Food and Drinks Restaurant

Introduction

Designed by Sir Christopher Wren, with some of Britain’s finest Robert Adam interiors Newby Hall is home to a wonderful collection of Chippendale furniture, Gobelins tapestries and classical statuary. Newby has 25 acres of award winning gardens including one of Europe’s largest double herbaceous borders. It also has enchanting woodland walks, a miniature railway and for younger visitors, an exciting adventure playground.

History to the present day

The early history of Newby leaves gaps from the thirteenth century, when it was recorded as the property of the Nubie family, who took their name from the place, to the seventeenth century when Newby belonged to Sir Jordan Crossland, appointed Governor of Scarborough Castle by Charles II. His son sold the estate to Sir Edward Blackett, who had become Member of Parliament for Ripon in 1689. Blackett demolished the old house, which stood much closer to the river, and built the main block of the present house during the 1690s. On Blackett's death, Newby passed to his son and then to his son's nephew, who sold it in 1748 to the Weddell family.

William Weddell, an ancestor of Mr Compton, was a prominent member of the Dilettanti society and had made the "Grand Tour" in 1765-6. Amongst the treasures he brought back from Europe were magnificent classical sculptures and a superb set of Gobelins Tapestries. In order to house all these treasures, Weddell commissioned the Architect Robert Adam to create the splendid domed Sculpture Gallery and Tapestry Room that we see today. Indeed the entire contents of the Tapestry Room are still in their original condition, which makes the room unique.

At the beginning of the 19th century the third Lord Grantham built the Regency Dining Room; it is in marked contrast to Adam's fine mouldings and the graceful elegance of the rest of the house - an elegance restored in recent years by Mrs Compton, who painstakingly researched Adam's original colours. Newby also possess many fine pieces of Chippendale furniture, porcelain and paintings. 

Food and Drinks

The Restaurant at Newby offers a full range of delicious foods from light snacks to hot meals all cooked to order. All ingredients are locally sourced. Scones are baked fresh every afternoon in time for tea and a special brunch menu is available on Sundays between 11.00am – 2.00pm. It is also fully licensed so you can enjoy a glass of wine or beer with your meal. 

Grounds and gardens

25 acres of award-winning Gardens are full of rare and beautiful plants. Newby's famous double herbaceous borders form the main axis; off this central walk are formal compartmented gardens such as Sylvia's Garden, a species Rose Garden, Water Garden and even a Tropical Garden.

Newby displays a  collection of contemporary sculpture throughout the woodland, orchard and gardens. The sculptors who exhibit here come from far and wide – many are well known like Sir Anthony Caro and William Pye, but there are also a number of young up and coming artists. Between 50-60 works are usually on show in a variety of media including wood, bronze, stone, glass and steel

The Newby Hall Miniature Railway is a delightful ride which runs along the River Ure with fantastic views of the gardens. The Railway first opened in 1971, originally an end to end line, built by Cromar White. The line now extended, runs parallel to the river in the shape of a dumb-bell loop. Locomotives used on the railway are two Severn Lamb Western gas locomotives or a Battison built ‘Royal Scot’ which has run here since the line begun, and has been recently overhauled.

Newby’s exciting Adventure Playground has been thoughtfully and safely designed for children of all ages from a sandpit area and swings for toddlers through to climbing frames and bridges, aerial slide and pedalo boats for the older children.

Other facilities

Newby has a large gift, railway and plant shop. Parking is free of charge.

Arrival information and how to find us

Address: , North York Moors, , United Kingdom

Address: Newby Hall & Gardens, Ripon, HG4 5AE

Opening Times: 1st April - 26th September Tuesday to Sundays & Bank Holiday Mondays, 12.00pm - 5.00pm

Directions: 2 miles from the A1, the main London to Edinburgh highway.

 

More photos of Newby Hall and Gardens, Ripon

Interior