About Us

Introduction by Sir Thomas Ingilby

Yorkshire has a fantastic selection of formidable castles, splendid stately homes, ancient abbeys and glorious gardens, and you will find details of more than forty of them - all regularly open to the public - on this website. The castles remind you that times have been worse…much worse, with wars and religious strife tearing our nation apart. The great stately homes take you back to a glorious era of hospitality, culture, travel and learning. The abbeys retain that special aura of spirituality and peace that is so hard to find today. The parks and gardens provide many of life’s simple pleasures...bright colours, lovely perfumes, beautiful views and vistas, homegrown fruit and vegetables, nature in all its glory.

These are fantastic places to visit and every member of the family will come away having enjoyed a great day out – and learned something along the way. These places are at once spectacular, entertaining and fascinating; listen to anecdotes about what it was like to live and work in these places, about British history, and the lives of the men and women who helped shape it; enjoy their fantastic works of art, the sculptures, the splendid craftsmanship of the furnishings, ornate ceilings, metalwork and chandeliers. Explore the gardens and grounds, lovingly improved and tended by generation after generation of owners and gardeners. Relax in the parkland…hundreds of acres of tranquility, open green space and ancient trees. Treat the children to a romp on the play area; retire for a cup of tea, home-made scone, ice cream, or a more substantial meal to keep hunger at bay and the children quiet on the way home.

They are also great value days out. Most offer a range of ticket options and concessions - and therefore fit into most personal and family budgets.

Discover Yorkshire’s Great Houses, Castles and Gardens and enjoy some great, affordable days out.