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
We do not have a lift to the first floor of the house therefore any visitors who are unable to negotiate the stairs are looked after by our house stewards who will stay with them and will show photographs of and describe the rooms upstairs, so they can be informed of the history of these rooms.
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 Opening Times 2026
Garden Opening
The garden is open from 1st April to 31st October 2026. Regular opening hours are Tuesday to Friday, 10:00am – 4:00pm. The garden also opens on selected Mondays with extended hours of 12:00pm – 5:00pm.
House Tours
Guided house tours begin on Friday 1st May 2026 and run throughout the spring and summer season, available on a total of 28 days. Tours operate at 1:00pm, 2:00pm and 3:00pm. House tours are also available on selected Mondays from 1:00pm – 3:00pm.
Special Events
Norton Conyers hosts two charity garden open days in 2026:
- Amnesty International Garden Open Day — 14th June 2026 (garden hours apply)
- St. Michael's Hospice Garden Open Day — 16th August 2026, 2:00pm – 4:00pm
For the most up-to-date information on specific opening dates and any seasonal variations, please check the detailed calendar or contact Norton Conyers directly.
Historic Houses members visit free except on charity days.
House and Garden – £18.00
Under 16 – free
Garden £5.00
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 led by Head Gardener available by arrangement.
This can include areas normally closed to the public including the grounds, and 18th century Stables which have featured in “All Creatures Great and Small”.
For any group visits to the house or garden please contact Norton Conyers direct to discuss: [email protected]
We do not have a lift to the first floor of the house therefore any visitors who are unable to negotiate the stairs are looked after by our house stewards who will stay with them and will show photographs of and describe the rooms upstairs, so they can be informed of the history of these rooms.
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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