Gorgeous gardens, historic houses and amazing artefacts – it’s time to explore these stately homes in Yorkshire.
Few experiences transport you to a bygone era quite like the grandeur of a stately home. From exquisite craftsmanship to the captivating stories etched into their walls, these timeless treasures offer a unique window into our county’s rich history. We’ve curated a list of our favourites—how many will you explore?
Castle Howard
Credit: Nick Howard
Castle Howard has to be one of the most majestic stately homes in Yorkshire. The private residence sits 15 miles north of York, where it was built between 1699 and 1712 for the Howard family who still live there today. Its dramatic domed halls, elaborate interiors and 1,000 acres of meticulously landscaped gardens and woodlands remain a testament to the grandeur of English aristocracy.
What’s more, it’s a perfect day out for the whole family. Explore the vast collection of fine art, furniture and antiques inside the house, before little ones will undoubtedly drag you out to run riot on the adventure playground. Be sure to finish off with a bite to eat at one of the three on-site cafes.
Where? Castle Howard, York, YO60 7DA.
How much? Tickets are £5.50 for children and £11 for adults.
Get it booked: castlehoward.co.uk
Nunnington Hall
Credit: National Trust by Rebecca Hughes
With origins dating back to at least the 13th century, Nunnington Hall is one of the oldest stately houses in Yorkshire. It’s nestled on the quiet banks of the River Rye, just on the border of the Howardian Hills, with a garden that’s been managed fully organically for several decades now – see if you can spot the peacocks running across the lawn!
The house itself blends elements of Jacobean and Tudor styles, with fine wood panelling, ornate plaster ceilings and stone-flagged floors. On your visit, be sure to visit the second-hand bookshop and the ever-changing art exhibitions for an extra dose of culture.
Where? Nunnington, York, YO62 5UY.
How much? Tickets are £6.60 for children and £12 for adults.
Get it booked: nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/yorkshire/nunnington-hall
Scampston Hall
Credit: Scampston Hall
As stately homes go, this has to be one of our favourites in Yorkshire. Scampston Hall is a Grade II-listed country house just a few miles from Malton. Built in the late 17th century, its architecture evokes elements of Palladianism, constructed primarily of brick with projecting wings and a curved frontage.
It’s in the garden though, that Scampston Hall really comes into its own. It was in the 1770s that renowned gardener and landscaper Capability Brown created a new landscape for the park, introducing water features, trees, woodland belts, sweeping vistas from the hall and so much more.
Where? Scampston, Malton, North Yorkshire, YO17 8NG.
How much? Tickets start from £6.50 for children and £11.50 for adults.
Get it booked: scampston.co.uk
Burton Constable
Set within 300 acres of beautiful greenery, Burton Constable is a grand Elizabethan stately home near the village of Sproatley. It was built in the late 16th century by the Constable family, and over the years, has undergone significant renovations, incorporating elements of the Jacobean, Georgian and Victorian.
Today, its red brick structure is one of its most striking features, with a beautiful great hall, elegant library and period-decorated staterooms to match. Our favourite feature of the home has to be the cabinets of curiosities dotted around – you can even see the skeleton of a 58-foot sperm whale stranded on the Yorkshire coast in 1825!
Where? Burton Constable, Skirlaugh, East Yorkshire, HU11 4LN.
How much? Tickets start from £7.95 for children and £14.50 for adults. Children under five go free.
Get it booked: burtonconstable.com
Sewerby Hall
Does this stately home have one of the best locations in Yorkshire? We think so. Sewerby Hall sits atop the cliffs overlooking the North Sea – in the summer months, you can hop on board the Bridlington Land Train to get there. It was built by John Greame between 1714 and 1720 and is a stunning example of early Georgian architecture.
Inside you’ll find museum and art collections, including fine art from the past three centuries and memorabilia from Amy Johnson, the first woman to fly from London to Australia. If it’s a sunny day, you’re in luck – there’s a small zoo on site, as well as a blooming wonderful walled garden.
Where? Church Lane, Sewerby, Bridlington, North Yorkshire, YO15 1ED.
How much? Tickets start from £3 for children and £4 for adults.
Get it booked: sewerbyhall.co.uk
Harewood House
Credit: Harewood House Trust
Harewood House is not only one of the most stunning stately homes in Yorkshire but the whole of the country – it’s one of the 10 Treasure Houses of England, known for their awe-inspiring architecture, beautiful gardens and valuable art collections. Designed by John Carr and Robert Adam, it’s a stunning example of Georgian architecture and is just as beautiful on the inside as the outside.
We’re talking Thomas Chippendale furniture, Sarton of Liège clocks, Sèvres china and so much more. Head out to explore the 100 acres worth of gardens landscaped by Capability Brown, from the lush Himalayan gardens to the magical Walled Garden.
Where? Harewood, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS17 9LG.
How much? Tickets start from £5 for children and £14 for adults.
Get it booked: harewood.org
Temple Newsam
© Copyright Yorkshire-List 2025
Built in the 16th century, with later additions and remodels in the following years, Temple Newsam toes the line between Tudor and Jacobean grandeur. Today, it’s a country house museum, where you can see one of the most important collections of fine and decorative arts in the country.
Wander out to the cobbles of Home Farm to discover how it operates today, and come face to face with some of the rarest animals in Europe, from the Vaynol cow to white-faced woodland sheep. Be sure to enjoy the Capability Brown-landscaped gardens, too – we’ve whiled away many an afternoon in the walled rose garden.
Where? Temple Newsam Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS15 0AE.
How much? Tickets start from £4.20 for children and £10 for adults.
Get it booked: museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk/temple-newsam
Nostell Priory
Credit: Nick Singleton
Nostell Priory is a gem in Wakefield’s crown. The Palladian house dates back to 1733 and was built by renowned architect James Paine on the site of a medieval priory. Its classical proportions and elegant details solidify its status as one of the grandest houses in the area.
If you think the outside’s spectacular, wait until you step inside. The house boasts a magnificent collection of art and furniture, from work by Pieter Brueghel the Younger to an 18th-century longcase clock by John Harrison. There’s even an adventure playground for little ones, so everyone’s happy.
Where? Doncaster Road, Nostell, Wragby, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF4 1QE.
How much? Tickets start from £4.40 for children and £8.80 for adults.
Get it booked: nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/yorkshire/nostell
East Riddlesden Hall
Credit: Andrew Butler
East Riddlesden Hall is a perfect example of a fine stately home in Yorkshire, hidden away on the edge of an urban town. It was built in 1642, at the hands of wealthy Halifax clothier James Murgatroyd, and sits atop a tranquil plateau overlooking a bend in the River Aire.
The manor house’s traditional stonework, mullioned windows and intricate carvings are all the markings of the proud craftsmanship that was put into East Riddlesden Hall. Tranquil gardens surround, with a sensory garden and a duck pond, as well as flora and fauna that change with the seasons.
Where? Bradford Road, Riddlesden, Keighley, West Yorkshire, BD20 5EL.
How much? Tickets start from £3.90 for children and £7.70 for adults.
Get it booked: nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/yorkshire/east-riddlesden-hall
Shibden Hall
Shibden Hall is a melting pot of all the people who have lived and worked there since 1420. Its black and white facade harks back to the Tudor era, whereas the brickwork that complements it has a clear Jacobean influence. The grounds are also perfect for exploring on a sunny day, with a beautiful Victorian-style garden.
Perhaps the most interesting thing about Shibden Hall is that it also operates as a museum. Famously associated with Anne Lister, who owned the property and significantly remodelled it during her lifetime, she documented her life as a lesbian as well as her life on the estate. The hall even served as the backdrop for the hit BBC series ‘Gentlemen Jack’ which explored Lister’s life.
Where? Lister’s Road, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX3 6XG.
How much? Tickets start from £7.50 for children and £10 for adults.
Get it booked: museums.calderdale.gov.uk/visit/shibden-hall
Fairfax House
Credit: Olivia Brabbs
A Georgian townhouse located in the heart of York, Fairfax House is one of the most stunning stately homes in Yorkshire. It’s widely regarded as one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in the whole country, characterised by symmetry, proportion and elegance, from the ornate plasterwork and rich fabric to the grand staircase.
The house also operates as a museum, with exhibits and interiors offering a peek into the life of York’s Georgian aristocracy. You can explore a number of fine art, ceramics, silverware and clocks from the era – afterwards, why not explore the nearby Shambles and York Minister?
Where? Fairfax House, Castlegate, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 9RN.
How much? Tickets are free for children under 16 and £9.50 for adults.
Get it booked: fairfaxhouse.co.uk
