Home of the Compton Family
Newby Hall, the family home of Mr & Mrs Richard Compton, is one of England’s renowned Adam houses, an exceptional example of 18th century interior decoration, recently restored to its original beauty.
Open 1st April 2014 – 28th September 2014 11am – 5.30pm
April, May, June, September – Tuesday to Sunday plus Bank Holidays
Open seven days in July and August
For the latest events programme for 2014 – CLICK HERE
Built under the guidance of Sir Christopher Wren in 17 Century, the superb contents of the house, collected by William Weddell, ancestor of the Compton family, include the Gobelins Tapestry Room, a renowned gallery of classical statuary and some of Chippendale’s finest furniture.
Award Winning Gardens
25 acres of award-winning Gardens are full of rare and beautiful plants. Newby’s magnificent 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 – truly "A Garden for All Seasons". The National Collection of CORNUS is also held at Newby.
A perfect day for all the family
Newby’s exciting Adventure Garden for Children has been thoughtfully and safely designed for children of all ages – from the paddling pool, sandpit and swings for toddlers through to climbing frames and bridges, an aerial slide and pedalo boats for the older children. And of course, Newby’s famous Miniature Railway is for children and adults alike! Other attractions include the Sculpture Park, Woodland Discovery Walk, Shop and Plant Centre, Licensed Garden Restaurant and Picnic Area.
Events throughout the year
Several special events are staged each year including a Historic Vehicle Rally and two excellent Craft Fairs. Newby Hall and Gardens are open from March to the end of September daily except Mondays – please see Opening Times & Prices for exact dates and times.
31st March – 30th September 2012 11am-5.30pm
April, May, June, September – Tuesday to Sunday plus Bank Holidays
Open seven days in July and August
Hall Guided Tours
Entry to the Hall is by guided tour. Tours start at: 12.00, 1.00pm, 2.00pm, 3.00pm & 4.00pm during April, May & September.
June, July & August tours run at half hourly intervals starting at 12.00 with the last tour at 4.00pm.
Tours last around an hour.
Tickets for timed tours of the Hall need to be collected from the Entrance Pavilion.
Specific Tours
Children’s Tour of the Hall – Sundays 1pm and 1pm every day in school holidays.
Art Lover’s Tour of the Hall – Wednesday 4pm
HHA & RHS Members
RHS full members have FREE access to gardens only during April, May and September only (Named Card Holders Only, this does not include guests. Please refer to RHS handbook).
HHA card holders have FREE access to House & Gardens all season
HHA Tel: 0207 259 5688
What the Yorkshire in Bloom judges said about Newby Hall Gardens & Grounds.
BTA Heritage Award
2006 Gold Award – Yorkshire in Bloom
HHA/Christies Garden of the Year Award
Home for the National Collection of Cornus (excluding Florida Cultivars).
A Guide to the Gardens of Newby Hall by Robin Compton, President of the National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens.
The original design
Newby Hall was built between 1691-1695 and shortly afterwards the owner, Sir Edward Blackett, commissioned Peter Aram as head gardener to lay out formal gardens and avenues in keeping with the period.
Influenced by Lawrence Johnston’s Hidcote Manor in Gloucestershire, Major Compton decided to create a main axis for the garden running from the south front of the house right down to the River Ure. The axis consisted of double herbaceous borders flanked by double yew hedges with a broad grass walk running down the middle. Off it he planned compartmented gardens of formal design like rooms off the main passage of a house – each filled with plants to be at their best for different seasons – truly a ‘Garden for all Seasons’.
Newby today
Major Compton died in 1977 and left a daunting challenge to the present owners parents’, Mr and Mrs Robin Compton. His ‘Grand Design’ needed labour-intensive maintenance and, in the last years lacked it, so the garden had fallen into a sorry state. Fortunately Robin Compton had spent most of his leisure hours, away from business activities, gardening and studying plants and how they behave and Jane Compton was also passionately interested in flowers, possessing an unusual flair for colour and design.
Today they have totally restored and replanted these lovely gardens over a ten year period. They have been honoured to win the BTA Heritage Award acknowledging their outstanding contribution to tourism for the restoration of Newby Hall and Gardens and the HHA/Christie’s Garden of the Year Award.
As President of the National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens and helped by Jane Compton’s artistic eye, Robin Compton has filled Newby Gardens with rare and beautiful plants, many of which may be bought at the Plant Centre.
Visiting Newby
Garden leaflets with suggested walks through the gardens are available to help visitors decide where to go and what to see at each time of the year. They contain a map too as twenty-five acres of gardens can be confusing!
A visit to the Adventure Gardens, which were designed in the Year of the Child, is not to be missed, nor is a memorable ride through the gardens on the miniature railway alongside the river.
Newby’s gardening seasons
Newby’s gardens offer variety throughout the seasons. There’s always something beautiful to see and enjoy.
Best Months
Many of our rare and beautiful plants are available for sale at the Newby Hall Plant Centre near the Visitor Centre.
Newby’s exciting Adventure Garden for Children has been thoughtfully and safely designed for children of all ages – from the paddling pool, sandpit and swings for toddlers through to climbing frames and bridges, an aerial slide and pedalo boats for the older children. And of course, Newby’s famous Miniature Railway is for children and adults alike – of all ages!
Chain Pontoon
Log Roll
Climbing Frames
Aerial Slide
Pedaloes
Timber Fort
Swing Boats
Sand Pit
Paddling Pool
Miniature Railway
Some parts of the children’s adventure garden comprising many slides, climbing frames, swings, sandpits, are suitable for handicapped users.
The Woodland Walk’s plants and mature tress support, frame and enhance a changing collection of contemporary sculpture in this stunning setting.
The range of works selected by owner/curator Lucinda Compton, is wide with styles varying from figurative to highly abstract, innovatively using contemporary metals, wire, glass, ceramics and plastics as well as the more traditional stone, wood and bronze. Each sculpture is placed in a carefully considered and meaningful relationship with the other featured works within the Woodland and Gardens. The result is an inspired combination of peaceful, enclosed harmony and dramatic, surprise vistas in an ever-changing environment.
The Sculpture Park is open from 1st June until Newby closes at the end of the season and is supported during June by an exhibition of related drawings in the Grantham Room.
Entrance is free with a gardens only ticket.
Represented Artists
Each year Newby displays a completely new selection 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 – we hope that there is something to suit all tastes.
Applicants are invited from established and emerging artists to exhibit in magnificent and varied settings at this internationally recognised venue.
Please write in with CV’s, artist statements and samples of work or telephone for an informal chat.
Investing in Sculpture
All the pieces are for sale and many of the sculptors are also available for commissions. Prices range from £100 – £100,000.
In some instances, it is also possible to pay by instalments. Please contact the Estate Office for further details.
Please contact the Estate Office for further details on visiting the Sculpture Park, Sales and Sponsorship on 01423 322583 or CLICK HERE for more information
The Woodland Discovery Walk takes a tour through historic Bragget Wood and the adjacent orchard. The route, which takes approximately 45 minutes, provides easy walking on a mixture of grass and gravel paths with some steps.
When Robert Vyner came to live here in the 1890s he decided it would be a nice idea to link the gardens with the wood. The wood was already well developed and reached down to the waterfalls in the river Ure at Westwick.
The walk is much the same today as it must have looked then – full of interest and charm, though the wood is more mature. But there is one major alteration: the broad walk between the gardens and Bragget Wood led through a grass field, with a few Park Trees suffering from old age. This was an ideal site for an Orchard but needed protection from the North winds so a shelter belt of Damson trees was planted to protect the Apple trees in 1948.
You will see many tree species along the way including Oak, Beech, Lime, Holly and Horse Chestnut as well as a wide variety of flowering plants and hopefully some wildlife too! The wood is home to the chaffinch, nuthatch and water vole amongst others.
Allow plenty of time for your visit – at least half a day but a whole day if you can!
The splendour of Adam’s 18th Century work in the House and the many facets of the Gardens will absorb your interest for hours.
If you can extend your stay in the area, you could include a visit to Ripon’s historic Cathedral or nearby Fountains Abbey.
Coaches – Coach Parking is free and adjacent to the Entrance Pavilion. Drivers and couriers enjoy free entry and a complimentary meal voucher.
Eating – The Licensed Garden Restaurant & Grantham Room are located in the Gardens; the Restaurant offers morning coffee, lunches and afternoon teas on a self-serve basis and, for pre booked groups, reserved seating and waitress service is available in the adjacent Grantham Room.
Disabled Visitors – good facilities and accessibility. Both motorised & manual wheelchairs available on FREE loan. You are advised to book them in advance.
Corporate Hospitality
This elegant 17th Century house with its magnificent Robert Adam interiors eptimosises the Georgian “Age of Elegance” providing a truly unique setting for entertaining.
Within the House itself we can cater for everything from an intimate dinner for 15 to a drinks reception for 250. There is also a purpose built function room in the gardens which provides a relaxed setting for meetings and entertaining. For larger functions Newby’s beautiful grounds provide the ideal environment for a marquee.
Centrally located between London and Edinburgh, just two miles from the A1M Newby is easily accessible from Leeds, York and Harrogate. Set in 40 acres of beautiful gardens bounded by the River Ure, Newby is a truly unique setting in which to entertain your guests. The elegant 17th Century house with its exquisite Adam interiors provides an atmospheric venue. Perfectly placed to cater for Corporate hospitality, conferences and meetings, fine dining in the house, wedding receptions and civil ceremonies and parties and celebrations
Newby Hall
In the house itself the Statue Gallery, Library, Ante Room and Entrance Hall all interconnect meaning we are able to cater for drinks receptions for up to 250 people, and the Statue Gallery and Regency Dining Room are also available for dinners.
The Grantham Room
The Grantham Room is set within our beautiful gardens and is a purpose built function room. (Availability limited during April-September).
Marquee Option
The west front at Newby Hall provides an idyllic setting for all manner of events. Set in the heart of the estate, it’s view of the Hall and River Ure provides a tranquil setting and fabulous views which would be hard to beat. Offering all the benefits of a permanent venue but fully customisable, including size, layout, colour, theming and lighting, the potential of the venue is limited only by imagination.
Catering
At Newbywe pride ourselves on the catering service we offer. Our caterers, The Yorkshire Party Company, design menus to suit your individual needs and offer a tasting service for clients who require it.
For a full selection of mouth watering menus please contact Terry or Belinda Willliams at Yorkshire Party Company on 01765 641920 or email [email protected]
Our other business related activities range from office leasing to a wide range of high profile sponsorship opportunities and even location filming facilities for the TV and film industries
For more information on facilities please contact our Events team on 01423 322583
Wedding ceremonies
Set in 40 acres of beautiful gardens bounded by the River Ure, Newby is a truly idyllic setting for a wedding.
The elegant 17th Century house with its magnificent Robert Adam interiors epitomises the Georgian “Age of Elegance” providing a unique and atmospheric venue.
Wedding ceremonies can be held in the Statue Gallery or adjoining Library, receptions in the house itself or in a marquee in the grounds.
Local Produce at its Very Best!
The Newby Hall Farm Shop is situated on the B6265 road just North of Boroughbridge
Tel – 01423 326 452
Open Monday – Saturday 9am – 6pm & Sunday 10am – 5pm
Located at – Leeming Lane, Langthorpe, Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire, YO51 9DE
Specialising in meat and game from our own stock – traditionally reared by JC Lister Farms on the Newby Hall Estate and its surrounding farms.
Over 90% of our food products are sourced less than 40 miles from our farm.
Our food is produced with pride by local farmers and custodians of our beautiful countryside – isn’t it time you sampled the delights from the Newby Hall Farm Shop?
Our complete range of mouth watering beef and pork products are backed up by seasonal, fresh, local lamb.
The delicatessen counter is packed with a selection of wonderful cheeses, chosen purely for their quality and taste.
With far too many products to mention – a variety of organic and specialist traditional fayre including bakery, chocolates, preserves, condiments, sauces and much more are all here for you.
This coupled with a warm Yorkshire welcome and friendly service – with a smile of course!
I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
Mark Maxwell, Manager Newby Hall Farm Shop
Contact Us
Newby Hall & Gardens,
Estate Office, Newby Hall, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 5AE.
Telephone: 0845 4504068