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Norton Conyers House
Aug 30 - 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Visit Norton Conyers House and walled garden open this summer
House tours start on the hour 1pm-2pm-3pm. Explore the house, grounds and walled garden and hear about the fascinating history of the Graham family. The house is said to be one of the inspirations for Charlotte Brontë’s ‘Jane Eyre’, Charlotte visited the house in 1839.
Norton Conyers is perhaps one of the most interesting houses with the loveliest garden you’ve never heard of, despite its Jane Eyre connection. Some of its special atmosphere comes from the sense of permanence: it’s been owned by the Graham family for over 400 years. Recent excavations beneath the house revealed evidence of a large Anglo-Saxon house so its roots go deep. Today’s house is described as a late medieval manor house with Stuart and Georgian additions.
The beautiful garden has everything you’d expect from an English country garden, full of year-round interest. There’s an orangery, ornamental pond, magnificent herbaceous borders and parkland beyond.
Charles I and James II both visited but the house had most impact on another visitor, Charlotte Bronte. She heard the house’s legend of a mad woman confined in the attics, which is said to have inspired her to create the character of the mad Mrs Rochester in ‘Jane Eyre’. The house’s interior gave her ideas for Thornfield Hall. In 2004, a blocked staircase was discovered, which connected the first floor to the attics.
Norton Conyers House and Gardens is near Wath, Ripon. Make sure you check opening times for both the house and garden as they are limited.
The Garden is open Tuesday to Friday between 10:00am – 4:00pm.
Open from 1st April to 31st October 2026.
Open from 1st April to 31st October 2026.
The House opens occasionally throughout the summer months, please check for up to date information and opening times here: Norton Conyers
