Norton Conyers is a mid 14th Century house with Tudor, Stuart and Georgian additions. It has been the home of the Graham family since 1624.
In the early 16th century the Grahams' ancestors migrated from Scotland to the English borders, where they acquired a reputation for turbulence and cattle-stealing. In the early 17th century, however, Richard Graham, a younger son, went to London and entered the service of James I's favourite the Duke of Buckingham. He rose to the position of the Duke's Master of the Horse, going on to become one of King Charles I's Gentleman of the Horse, a baronet and the owner of two estates - Norton Conyers in Yorkshire and Netherby in Cumbria.
Sir Richard stayed loyal to his master when the Civil War broke out and after it ended was heavily fined for his Royalism. When he died his elder son George inherited Netherby and his father's baronetcy, his younger son, another Richard, inherited Norton Conyers. The younger Richard was in his turn created a baronet in 1662.
His descendants lived at Norton Conyers in comparative peace and prosperity for the following two centuries. Then in the 19th century the 7th baronet's extravagance obliged him to sell all his estates; Norton Conyers went in 1862. His son's marriage, to an heiress however, enabled him to buy back house and estate twenty years later. Since then there has been no break.
Today Norton Conyers is owned by Sir James and Lady Graham.
The house has a friendly, tranquil atmosphere.
The main rooms contain some fine 17th and 18th century furniture; the long table in the hall dates from the Middle Ages.
The parlour and the dining room have good 18th century plasterwork. King James's Room, where James II stayed in 1679 when he was Duke of York, has kept its 17th century appearance.
The main rooms and the main staircase contain a fine collection of family portraits.
A celebrated hunting picture by John Ferneley, "The Quorn Hunt", painted in 1822, hangs in the hall. Family and other costumes are displayed in the Library and the best spare bedroom. These displays are changed annually.
Norton Conyers is probably best known from its connection with Charlotte Bronte: she paid a visit in 1839 and heard the legend of a mad woman who had in the previous century been confined in the attics. When Charlotte wrote "Jane Eyre" eight years later the mad woman became an original of the mad Mrs Rochester and Norton Conyers provided details for Mr Rochester's house, Thornfield Hall.
The discovery in November 2004 of a blocked staircase, clearly described in "Jane Eyre", aroused world-wide interest.
The mid 18th century walled garden, which stands near the house, is about two acres in extent.
Herbaceous borders backed by yew hedges, lead to the garden's central feature, a late 18th century Orangery.
Other parts of the garden are less formal and include a small sales area specialising in old-fashioned and unusual hardy plants.
There is pick-your-own fruit in season. Intending pickers are advised to check beforehand.
Please note: Dogs must be on a lead in the grounds. Ladies are requested not to wear high-heeled shoes. Credit cards are not accepted.
Norton Conyers Opening Times2008: House: due to major repairs, closed to visitors during 2008. Garden: 4-5,25-26 May & 24-25 Aug & 8 Jun-11 Aug: Sun & Mon; 2-5 Jul, daily. All 14:00-17:00 (last entry 16:40) Groups by appointment.
Tel: 01765 640333
