Beningbrough - National Trust

Autumn may be on it's way, but hold onto the last moments of summer in the new Mediterranean Garden at Beningbrough☀️🌿

Our new pooch passport has been going down very well so far - here's Roo with his! 🐾

Conservation in Action returns this Wednesday 19 September from 10.30am - 3pm.

Drop by the Victorian laundry throughout the day to see the conservation team carefully wash, dry, and press historic pieces from the collection. Ask them questions as they carry out this delicate work.

📷National Trust / Iona Hart

The last of this year's Thyme to Talk gardening talks are taking place tomorrow at Beningbrough at 11.15am and 2.15pm.

Join a member of the gardens team and find out about the newly opened Mediterranean Garden. Discover how the space was created and learn about it's design by award-winning garden designer Andy Sturgeon.

There is no extra charge to join the talk, normal admission applies. For more information go to: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/yorkshire/beningbrough/events

📷 National Trust / Sophie Packman

We’re very proud to be the home of the unique little tansy beetle 🪲

Meet the endangered tansy beetle – found in only three places in the UK, including the banks of the river Ouse on the Beningbrough estate in Yorkshire.

Known as the ‘Jewel of York’, these rare insects live on the yellow-flowered tansy plant.

Several areas are fenced off at Beningbrough to protect the plant from grazing and erosion. There’s also a protected area of tansy growing in the garden orchard, acting as a kind of nursery away from the risk of river flooding.

Just a few small interventions can make all the difference for this species that was close to becoming extinct. Thank you for helping us care for nature.

Photo: Jo P, Yorkshire National Trust

The Botanical World of Mary Delany is now open🌺

Discover the artwork of eighteenth-century artist Mary Delany in a new photographic display in collaboration with the British Museum. Alongside Delany’s mosaicks, explore historic objects by women artists from across the National Trust collections, new sculptures by Rebecca Stevenson, an interactive origami room and abstract photography collages.

Are you looking for a new challenge? Then consider becoming a volunteer at Beningbrough. The team are currently recruiting for new additions to the house experience team, to help welcome visitors and connect with the new exhibition in the Reddihough Galleries.

Find out more about the available opportunities here: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/yorkshire/beningbrough/volunteering-at-beningbrough-hall-gallery-and-gardens

Take a look at the beautiful butterflies which are part of Kate Buckley's interactive origami room. Visitors will have the opportunity to add their own creations to this enchanting space.

The Botanical World of Mary Delany opens Tuesday 10 September. To find out more go to: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/yorkshire/beningbrough/art-at-beningbrough

Here's a sneak peek into a new video which was filmed in the house recently and will feature alongside the upcoming exhibition, The Botanical World of Mary Delany, that opens on Tuesday 10 September.

We've been working with local company Digifish Film & Animation and one of our garden volunteers to recreate several of the artistic processes, such as preparing the gum arabic and cutting out paper shapes, which Mary Delany would have used to produce her stunning 'paper mosaiks'.

To discover more about the new exhibition head to: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/art-at-beningbrough

The walled garden is brimming with produce at the moment. From ripe fruit to hearty vegetables, it's great to see such full branches and plants. Call in on your next visit and enjoy a peaceful stroll among the fruit trees or find out what our gardeners have been working on.

📷 National Trust/Sue Gabbatiss

The last of our Wonderful, Wild Wednesday activity days is taking place tomorrow. Drop into our professional storytelling sessions from 11am-4pm for a fabulous bird-themed story or two 🦜📔

Work is well underway preparing for the new exhibition, The Botanical World of Mary Delany which opens on Tuesday 10 September.

There was an exciting delivery this week of the newly commissioned sculptures 'Mary, Maria, Marianne' by artist Rebecca Stevenson. We're excited to reveal them to visitors very soon.

To find out more about the new exhibition go to: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/yorkshire/beningbrough/art-at-beningbrough

In light of the current weather warning issued by the MET Office, Beningbrough will be closed tomorrow Friday 23rd August. We aim to be back open on Saturday 24th. Thanks for your understanding.

Meet the team as they carry out their conservation work on the laundry collection at our Conservation in Action session taking place today in the Victorian laundry from 10.30am - 3pm.

Drop by and discover how our conservation team meticulously wash, dry and press the items from the collection.

📷National Trust/Iona Hart

Join a member of the garden team tomorrow for a free Thyme to Talk gardening session which are taking place at 11.15am and 2.15pm.

Find out about one of the most popular areas in the garden at Beningbrough - the walled garden. Learn how the team plan their crops, care for and sow in order to maximise production, and beauty from this space.

Check with the welcome team on arrival for meeting points.

Lady Chesterfied was the last private owner of Beningbrough. We have a new portrait of her on display in the State Bedroom, which has been generously been loaned to the National Trust by a private collector.

The portrait was commissioned for Lady Chesterfield around the time of her marriage in 1900. The elaborate frame suggests that it may have formed part of the internal decoration of her first marriage home of Holme Lacy, near Hereford.

Call in on your next visit and take a peek at this beautiful piece.

For more information about the previous owners of Beningbrough and history of the house go to: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/yorkshire/beningbrough/the-history-of-beningbrough-hall

The summer sale starts today! Pop into the stables shop when you're visiting Beningbrough and see what bargains you can pick up.

Tomorrow's Wonderful, Wild Wednesday session is all about our friend the tansy beetle🪳

Come along and meet an expert from TBag – the local Tansy Beetle action group. Find out about this stunning, rare and local insect. Look out for real tansy beetles in the Beningbrough tansy beetle patch and have a go at the giant tansy beetle game.

For more information go to: bit.ly/BeningbroughFamilies

It's a month to go until the new exhibition opens in the Reddihough Galleries on the first floor of the hall. The Botanical World of Mary Delany is a collaboration between the British Museum and Beningbrough, showcasing high quality photographic reproductions of botanical specimens created by this eighteenth-century artist.

Further celebrating Mary Delany, the exhibition includes brand-new sculptures by Rebecca Stevenson and a display of fascinating objects by historic women artists from across the National Trust's collections. There will be an interactive origami room, designed by York artist, Kate Buckley and abstract photography collages from York St John, Fine Art student, Amy Martina.

Preparations are well under way and further details will follow shortly. Read more here: bit.ly/BeningbroughArt

📷The Trustees of the British Museum

Afternoons are quieter if you’re planning to visit soon.

We’re loving seeing so many visitors just now enjoying the new Mediterranean Garden and beyond. Mornings are the busiest time so if you’re looking for a more peaceful time to sit and enjoy the space, consider planning your day to arrive after 1pm.

We’re open until 5pm so there’s lots of time to soak in the sunshine, sit with an ice cream and meander through the newly planted beds.

📷National Trust/A Chappel-Ross

It's National Play Day tomorrow! ⚽🏃‍♀️🎨

Come and join us at Beningbrough for a day jam-packed with play. Get crafty at the Wonderful, Wild Wednesday activity session and create your own feathered friend to take home with you. Grab a map and have fun following the nature trail around the gardens. Let the little ones run wide at the wilderness play area with slides, swings and den building too. Check out the south lawn where there's plenty of space for games, and relaxation.

Plan your day here: bit.ly/BeningbroughFamilies

The Mediterranean Garden is now open.

See how Andy Sturgeon’s design has transformed the area that was predominantly grass into a Mediterranean inspired hillside, complementing the Italian inspired hall. The garden has been created with extreme weather events considered, both drought and floods. With significantly more planting, the area will soon be rich in wildlife and adds a beautiful new space to explore in the eight acres gardens.

Thank you for your patience as the development took shape and we look forward to welcoming you soon.

📷National Trust / Anthony Chappel-Ross

Ey up! Our Yorkshire Day event is all set up and ready to go. If you're visiting today don't miss your chance to meet a range of local suppliers showcasing their skills and processes.

We have some extra Conservation in Action days taking place over the summer. Join the conservation team on the 31 July, 1 and 2 August from 11am - 3pm as they care and clean the Cantilever Staircase in the Great Hall.

Find out more about the hall at Beningbrough here: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/yorkshire/beningbrough/hall-at-beningbrough

📷National Trust Images/James Beck

We're just working on the finishing touches to the new Mediterranean Garden and are very excited to be able to share it with you soon.

We'll keep you posted via our social media channels and the website so keep checking for updates. Find more information about the garden project at Beningbrough here: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/yorkshire/beningbrough/garden-at-beningbrough

It's a week to go until our Yorkshire Day event🎉

Join us on the 1 August to celebrate all things Yorkshire and meet several local suppliers showcasing their skills and products.

Current suppliers joining us include:
Little Yorkshire Honey House
TwentyBirds
Magdooshka Creates
Sing Gin
Spirit of Yorkshire
Happy Hounds

Looking for a day out full of natural play and adventure? Make the most of the summer with a visit to Beningbrough.

🎨 Visiting on a Wednesday? Take part in a nature themed activity session in the gardens, enjoy a Wonderful, Wild Wednesday with crafting, tansy beetles fun and storytelling walks.
🐦 Follow the Feathered Friends trail to spot the hidden birds around the gardens and check them off your list.
🌳 Get stuck into the wilderness play area with swings, slides, climbing frames, and a den building zone.
🥪 Pack a picnic or let us sort lunch for you. Stop by the Brewhouse for drinks and snacks - there might even be time for an ice-cream at the end of the day.

Find out more and plan your visit here:

Days out with kids | Beningbrough Find out about family activities and days out at Beningbrough, North Yorkshire from den building in the play area to spotting wildlife on a walk.

Step into the walled garden this weekend. Take a wander through the historic pear arch and discover what has been recently planted by the garden team.