Newby Hall

Newby Hall

Newby Hall is an historic mansion house and Grade I listed building situated on the banks of the River Ure at Skelton-on-Ure, near Boroughbridge in North Yorkshire, England.

History

The manor of Newby was sold by the Crossland family to Sir Edward Blackett MP in the 1690s. He demolished the old manor house and in 1697 built a spacious mansion designed with the assistance of Sir Christopher Wren.

The estate was acquired by William Weddell MP in 1748 and the house was improved and enlarged during the 1760s. The interior was remodelled and several architects contributed, including Robert Adam.

In 1973, a miniature railway was constructed; it was enlarged in 1985. Running along the bank of the river, the train is pulled by a Battison-built 1/5 scale model of the Royal Scot (6100) on Sundays and Bank Holidays. At other times the train is pulled by the Countess De Grey or Lady Mary Vyner, LPG-powered Diesel-Hydraulic locomotives designed by David Curwen and built by Severn Lamb.

In 1979, the newly-constructed adventure playground was opened by Sir Jackie Stewart. A 2007 TV adaptation of Jane Austen's Mansfield Park was filmed at the Hall.

The present owners, the Compton family, descended from William Weddell, have restored the property and the Hall and gardens are open to the public. The River Ure runs along the south side of the grounds of Newby Hall. It has magnificent herbaceous borders and extensive woodland walks, as well as the usual collections of furniture, painting and precious artefacts within the house. The Georgian stable block (also Grade I listed ) is leased as offices.

Newby Hall is open to the public from 21 March until 1 October.

External links

• Stately Homes
• Newby Hall
• The Blacketts of North East England
• Robin Compton - Daily Telegraph obituary
• Newby Hall Cricket Club

Coordinates: 54°06′06″N 1°28′10″W / 54.1016°N 1.4695°W / 54.1016; -1.4695