10 of the best stately homes in Yorkshire

Anyone who loves amazing architecture should put Yorkshire on their holiday destination list. There is such a fantastic range of majestic stately homes in Yorkshire that it’s impossible to visit them all in one trip and it can be hard to decide which ones to start with. However, we’ve highlighted ten of the best that are guaranteed to impress.

Castle Howard

Castle Howard is a building that makes you stop and stare in awe at its grandeur. Dating from the 18th century, this spectacular stately home boasts a world-class art collection and gorgeous grounds and gardens that will delight visitors of all ages. Visitors can also enjoy lake boat trips and kids can go wild in the adventure playground. Tickets for the house and grounds cost £14 for adults and £7.50 for children aged 5 to 16 during high season, or £6 and £3 respectively during the low season. Take a peak at some of our lovely campsites near Castle Howard and book your history fuelled getaway.

Burton Constable

The 16th century Burton Constable offers visitors access to over 30 rooms containing the likes of fine furniture, paintings and sculpture as well as a library with over 5000 books and a cabinet of curiosities full of intriguing scientific attractions. Giant garden games and croquet can be enjoyed within the grounds of Burton Constable and families will enjoy exploring the parkland through fun activity packs. Tickets for the house, grounds and stables cost £6.75 for adults and £3.50 for children aged 5 to 15.

Burton Agnes Hall

The wealth of artistic pieces in Burton Agnes Hall will enthral art lovers but there’s lots more to do at this beautiful Elizabethan home, from ghost hunts and a play area for kids to exploring the wonderful woodland walk, getting stuck into giant garden games and taking a wander through the maze. There are also a number of annual events held at Burton Agnes, such as a gardening fair and a music festival to name a few. Admission to the hall and gardens costs £9 for adults and £4.50 for children aged 5 to 15.

Fairfax House

Fairfax House is home to an impressive Noel Terry collection featuring the clocks, paintings and furniture that are some of the best ever produced in Britain. It’s easy to imagine yourself in the past while wandering around the interior of this marvellous Georgian townhouse. Adult tickets cost £6 and there is free entry for children younger than 16 years old.

Harewood

There’s no shortage of great things to see and do at Harewood, a magnificent 18th century mansion with award-winning gardens and diverse art collections that include works from Italian Renaissance masters and contemporary artists. Kids will love the outdoor adventure playground and the bird garden is a great place to see a wide range of exotic birds. Tickets cost £14 for adults and £7 for children.

Kiplin Hall

The 17th century Kiplin Hall was constructed as a hunting lodge but visitors today will now be welcomed to a Victorian home full of diverse pieces of furniture and art. Kiplin Hall is situated in a picturesque location next to a lake. The beautiful gardens and woodland are ideal for lazy strolls and kids will have fun playing the garden games that are on offer. Kiplin Hall also hosts a number of exhibitions and events each year. Entry to the hall, gardens and grounds is £8 for adults and £4 for children.

Brodsworth Hall

Brodsworth Hall is a stunning piece of architecture constructed in the 1860s Italianate style and surrounded by striking Victorian gardens which will impress anyone who wanders through them. The Victorian kitchen will make you feel like you’ve really stepped back into Victorian times, while outside kids can burn off some energy in the play area. Entry is £9.60 for adults and £5.80 for children aged 5 to 15.

Barley Hall

If you’ve ever wanted to experience medieval life, head to Barley Hall which is a charming medieval townhouse. Parts of Barley Hall date back as early as the 14th century and visitors can seat themselves on chairs within the Great Hall and handle various objects as they imagine what life would have been like during this period. Access to Barley Hall costs £4.95 for adults and £3 for children aged 5 to 16.

Sewerby Hall

Sewerby Hall offers a great day out for visitors of all ages thanks to the range of wonderful things to see. The hall itself was constructed in the 18th century and boasts a number of galleries and exhibitions including a collection of memorabilia related to the English aviator Amy Johnson. In addition to enjoying walks in the magnificent gardens, animal lovers should stop by Sewerby Zoo where a range of amazing animals are waiting to delight children and adults alike. Access to Sewerby Hall is £4.80 for adults and £3 for children aged 3 to 15, with small additional charges for entry to the zoo.

Sledmere House

Sledmere House is both a Georgian and an Edwardian building that contains magnificent pieces of furniture and rare books, as well as a small but informative Wagoners’ Museum. The lovely gardens can be explored on self-led visits or by guided tour and an outdoor play area will keep young visitors entertained. Tickets for adults cost £8 and entry for children aged 5 to 15 is £3.50.

Amazing architecture that brings history to life

A visit to any of the stately homes above is an ideal way to experience a sense of history. Wandering among the rooms and grounds of these homes is a great day out and the diverse interior collections and exterior landscapes will equally intrigue and delight.