Norton Conyers
Address: Wath, Near Ripon, HG4 5EQ
Tel: 01765 640333
Email: norton.conyers@bronco.co.uk
Norton Conyers is a mid 14th Century house with Tudor, Stuart and Georgian additions. It has been the home of the Graham family since 1624.
This striking house was visited famously by Charlotte Brontë in 1839, and is an original of ‘Thornfield Hall’ in ‘Jane Eyre’. Family pictures, furniture and costumes are on display.
In the early 16th century the Grahams' ancestors migrated from Scotland to the English borders, where they acquired a reputation for turbulence and cattle-stealing. In the early 17th century, however, Richard Graham, a younger son, went to London and entered the service of James I's favourite the Duke of Buckingham. He rose to the position of the Duke's Master of the Horse, going on to become one of King Charles I's Gentleman of the Horse, a baronet and the owner of two estates - Norton Conyers in Yorkshire and Netherby in Cumbria.
In the 19th century the 7th baronet's extravagance obliged him to sell all his estates; Norton Conyers went in 1862. His son's marriage, to an heiress however, enabled him to buy back house and estate twenty years later. Since then there has been no break.Today Norton Conyers is owned by Sir James and Lady Graham. The house has a friendly, tranquil atmosphere. The main rooms contain some fine 17th and 18th century furniture; the long table in the hall dates from the Middle Ages. The parlour and the dining room have good 18th century plasterwork. King James's Room, where James II stayed in 1679 when he was Duke of York, has kept its 17th century appearance.
Norton Conyers is probably best known from its connection with Charlotte Bronte: she paid a visit in 1839 and heard the legend of a mad woman who had in the previous century been confined in the attics. When Charlotte wrote "Jane Eyre" eight years later the mad woman became an original of the mad Mrs Rochester and Norton Conyers provided details for Mr Rochester's house, Thornfield Hall.
The discovery in November 2004 of a blocked staircase, clearly described in "Jane Eyre", aroused world-wide interest. The mid 18th century walled garden, which stands near the house, is about two acres in extent. Herbaceous borders backed by yew hedges, lead to the garden's central feature, a late 18th century Orangery. There is pick-your-own fruit in season. Intending pickers are advised to check beforehand. A small sales area specialises in unusual hardy plants. The main garden path is gravelled, and runs up a slight slope. The rest of the garden is suitable for disabled access"
Opening Times 2008: House closed all year for repairs. Garden open: Bank Holiday Sun and Mon (25 - 26 May; 24 - 25 Aug); 8 Jun - 11 Jul Sun & Mon: 2 Jul - 5 Jul daily. Times: 14:00-17:00; last admissions 16:40. Admission free, donations are welcome. When the garden is open for charity an entrance charge is made and teas are available. Our 2008 charity openings are: 8 June-Amnesty International; 15 June- National Gardens Scheme; 22 June- Ripon Museums Trust; 13 July- Red Cross; 20 July- Muscular Dystrophy Campaign; 27 July- St John's Ambulance.
Please note: Dogs must be on a lead in the grounds. Ladies are requested not to wear high-heeled shoes. Credit cards are not accepted.
Location 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.
