Norton Conyers
Anglo-Saxon foundations to a house known now for its pink hue, Dutch gables and literary connections.
Wath, near Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 5EQ
Facilities
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Accessible loos
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Accessible parking
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Free parking
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Parkland / open spaces
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Pet friendly
- Accessible parking
- Accessible toilets
- Guide dogs welcome
Norton Conyers has a special atmosphere, resulting from 400 years of ownership by the Graham family. Recent excavations beneath the house revealed evidence of a large Anglo-Saxon house.
Notable visitors to Norton Conyers have included Charles I, James II and Charlotte Bronte, with whom we have close links. A family legend inspired her mad Mrs Rochester and the house gave her ideas for “Thornfield Hall”.
There have been many discoveries during restoration work and in 2014 the house was the winner of the Historic Houses Sotheby’s Restoration Award.
The romantic 2.5-acre, 18th-century walled garden is a rare survival of a Paradise Garden. Laid out c.1760, retaining the essential features of its original design, the garden is still used for its original purpose: supplying the house with flowers, fruit and vegetables.
The 18th-century garden was established in the 1760s and has been cared for six generations of the Graham family. It is a plantsman’s garden, with a beautiful Orangery and a established potager garden, together with an early example of double-heated walls. The plants used in the garden are sympathetic to its surroundings and the gardens are planted using traditional methods, which benefit the abundant varied wildlife.
Plants, cut flowers, fruit and vegetables grown in the garden are available for sale.
Important information: opening info is generated by artificial intelligence; check specific attraction details before travelling.
The indicator above will show ‘open’ when the public have any kind of access to any part of this property. That could be the park, a shop, or a special event, and may not reflect regular admission times to the main attraction. Always consult the website of the house or garden you intend to visit before travelling to check that the attraction you are interested in is open.
Norton Conyers House and Gardens is a historic estate located in Wath near Ripon, North Yorkshire. The estate includes a late medieval manor house with Stuart and Georgian additions, and a large walled garden laid out in the mid-18th century.
Opening Times for 2026
The Garden:
- Open from 1st April to 31st October 2026.
- Opening hours are Tuesday to Friday, 10:00am to 4:00pm.
- On specific dates, such as 1st May to 4th May 2026, the garden opens from 12:00pm to 5:00pm.
- Admission is a suggested donation of £5.00.
- Dogs are allowed in the garden but must be on leads.
- Most paths in the garden are wheelchair accessible.
The House:
- The house opens for tours starting Friday, 1st May 2026.
- It is open for a total of 28 days during the spring and summer.
- Tours are conducted at 1:00pm, 2:00pm, and 3:00pm, with a maximum of 30 people per tour.
- House and garden entry fee is £15.00.
- Historic Houses members must show a valid membership card for entry.
Special Events:
- Charity Garden Dates: On 14th June 2026, the garden will host events for Amnesty International and St. Michael's Hospice, with homemade teas available.
Visitors are advised to wear flat shoes to protect the house's fragile wooden floors. Limited toilet facilities are available on-site.
For group visits or private tours, arrangements can be made by contacting the estate directly via email or phone.
Contact Information:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 01765 640333
- Address: Norton Conyers, Wath near Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 5EQ
Norton Conyers is a historic site with a rich history, including connections to Charlotte Brontë and her novel Jane Eyre. The house and garden have been lovingly restored and maintained by the Graham family since 1624.
Historic Houses members visit free except on charity days.
House and garden: £15
Under 16: free
Garden £5
Historic House members visiting just the garden from April are asked to complete the Historic Houses visitor form in the Orangery with their full card details. and not to write anything else on the form.
Historic House members wanting a tour when the house is open need to come to the visitor reception in the Clock Tower Summer House
Group tours of the garden by owners and head gardener available by arrangement. This can also include areas normally closed to the public including the grounds, and 18th century Stables which featured recently in “All Creatures Great and Small”. If repairs permit, tours of work in progress in the house will be available -please email for further information at [email protected]
For any group visits please contact Norton Conyers direct to discuss: [email protected]
- Accessible parking
- Accessible toilets
- Guide dogs welcome
Getting here
Wath, near Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 5EQ
Norton Conyers is 4 miles north of Ripon on the road to Wath, and 3.5 miles from the A1; turn off at the Baldersby flyover onto the A61 to Ripon and turn right at the road signposted Melmerby.
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