Norton Conyers in Ripon

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Wath
Near Ripon
HG4 5EQ
Tel: 01765 640333
Fax: 01765 640333

norton.conyers@bronco.co.uk

This charming house has belonged to the Graham family since 1624, and is now the home of Sir James and Lady Graham. Of medieval origins, it was altered in Tudor and Stuart times and again in the 18th and 19th centuries. The interior with its furniture and a notable collection of family portraits reflects 384 years of occupation by the same family.

Charlotte Bronte memorably paid a visit in 1839. A legend that a mad woman had at some time in the previous century been confined in the attics is said to have been her inspiration for the mad Mrs Rochester in "Jane Eyre", and Norton Conyers gave her many ideas for Thornfield Hall. The discovery in 2004 of a blocked staircase, clearly described in "Jane Eyre", connecting the first floor with the attics, aroused world-wide interest. Other notable visitors were Charles I in 1633 and James II and his wife in 1679 (the room and the bed they traditionally used are on display).

The house is set in a fine park. The large 18th century walled garden, five minutes' walk from the house, has a central Orangery approached by a path flanked with herbaceous borders and yew hedges. A small sales area specialises in unusual hardy plants, and there is pick-your-own fruit in season (please check beforehand).

Opening Times 2009: House and Garden

House
The house has been closed since August 2006 due to major structural repairs, largely caused by death watch beetle infestation. The work has proved to be much more extensive than was at first thought, and as a result we will be unable to open the house to the public in 2009. The work, however, has revealed many exciting discoveries which the public will be able to see when we open in 2010. The secret staircase we discovered only in 2004 will also be on view to the public for the first time. Charlotte Brontë describes an unmistakeably similar staircase as existing at "Thornfield Hall"; Mr Rochester uses it as a short cut to the attic where his mad wife is confined.

Garden
Bank Holiday Sundays and Mondays (3-4 May; 24-25 May; 30-31 Aug) Sundays & Mondays from 7 June – 10 August. Daily 8 July – 11 July.

2.00 - 5.00pm. Last admissions 4.40pm.
Admission free except at charity openings – donations are welcome.

Dogs must be on a lead in the garden and the grounds.

Disabled Access - Garden's main path is gravelled, and runs up a slight slope. All other areas are suitable for disabled access.

Directions 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.

Charity Garden Openings 2009 7 June - British Red Cross 14 June - National Gardens Scheme 21 June - Ripon Museums Trust 12 July - St John’s Ambulance 19 July - Ripon Age Concern 26 July - Friends of Ripon Hospital 2 August - Muscular Dystrophy Association 9 August - Amnesty International

At all these openings the garden will be open from 2 to 5pm (last admissions 4.40pm), the entrance charge will be £4 (children of 16 and under free), and teas will be served. At the National Gardens Scheme opening, Aire Pipes, a recorder quartet from the Ilkley area, will play; at the Ripon Museums opening, the Trinity Quartet, a Ripon String quartet, will play; at the Muscular Dystrophy Association opening, not only will a jazz quartet play, but there will be craft stalls and, for the children, face-painting and pony rides along our house’s front.

This year we are opening for more local charities than in previous years. We hope people w ill show their support for these organisations, and the excellent work they do, by visiting our outstanding walled garden.

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