Celebrate the bounty of the earth at Kiplin Hall and Gardens this Autumn

As we say goodbye to summer and look ahead to the festive season one historic house invites visitors to pause. Dwelling in the autumn, exploring themes of gratitude and thankfulness.

Kiplin Hall, halfway between Northallerton and Richmond, shares its origin story with the US state of Maryland via the Calvert family. In recognition of this connection the holiday of Thanksgiving is observed. Taking place on the fourth Thursday in November each year in the USA, Thanksgiving is a national holiday giving thanks for the blessings of the past year. Time is spent with family, traditional dishes are served, sports and games are often played or watched.

At Kiplin Hall the celebrations take the form of a display inside the historic house during October and November. This year the displays highlight the bounty of the earth. Exploring traditional foods and cultivation. Many of the foods enjoyed at Thanksgiving today are a blend of Native American crops and the European dishes of colonists.

Curator Alice Rose explains,

“There’s lots to learn from our Thanksgiving displays this year. One of my favourite sections explores the Three Sisters; beans, squash and corn. Grown and cultivated by the Native Americans, beans, squash and corn became an important part of the diet of colonists. Native Americans shared their knowledge of the land and this style of companion planting with the colonists. We see these foods in Thanksgiving dishes today. Like pumpkin pie, cornbread and succotash. In the Walled Garden at Kiplin Hall visitors can see beans, squash and corn growing for real. Then in the Café they can enjoy seasonal recipes. While learning about this and other elements of Thanksgiving we invite visitors to spend time thinking about what they are grateful for. As a charity, we enjoy the support of over 240 volunteers, so gratitude is an important part of our ethos.”

Visitors can contribute to the displays by making a 3D paper pumpkin and sharing their reasons to be grateful from Friday 2nd October. Outdoors a Tree Trail encourages longer walks in the gardens and grounds enjoying the fall colours. Special rates are available for group bookings. Kiplin Hall and Gardens is open 6 days a week, closed on Thursdays. With the notable exception of Thursday 26th November, Thanksgiving Day, the last day of the 2026 season. Reopening on Friday 5th February 2027.