Hornby Castle

This will be a visit of two distinct halves. On a commanding position in rolling landscape a few miles west of the A1M and just north of Bedale in the Vale of Mowbray, are the remains of Hornby Castle. First we will visit the 18^th landscape created byhis descendant Robert D’arcy, the 4^th Earl of Holderness. There is firm evidence he employed Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown as he had at his other three main sites, Aston Hall, near Sheffield, Sion Hill in London and Shillington Bedfordshire, creating a typical Brownian style landscape complete with a string of lakes designed to look like a serpentine river when viewed from the castle above, the derelict ‘Garden House’, (in fact built as a banqueting house) and ‘eyecatcher’ farms on the horizon. The Earls’s friend, the Revd William Mason, author of the poem ‘The English Garden’ and his advisor on things aesthetic as well as spiritual, was also involved in the creation of the landscape. Whilst we do not know exactly the roles taken by Mason and Brown, the likelihood of their involvement contributes to the significance of the landscape.

After this Erik Matthews, Fieldwork Officer of the Archeological Society of Durham and Northumberland, will reveal to us that hidden in the woods beyond the gothic-style Bowling Green House, archeological excavations carried out by his team of volunteers have discovered fascinating evidence of a 15^th century vicarage and a much earlier medieval moated castle built on an earlier late Saxon timber hall.  Notes on the history and maps will be provided for this event.
 

This visit is impossible for those with walking difficulties as the ground is very uneven, possibly very muddy and there is much undergrowth. Stout boots and waterproofs essential. Meet outside the castle by the archway. No refreshments.

Tickets cost: YGT members £14.00 non-members £16.00

Organisers: Vicky Price and Val Hepworth

Further details including directions will be sent to ticket holders in advance of the event

Tickets for all events will be available electronically, using Eventbrite as last year. Each event has its own link to the Eventbrite page which will allow you to book a ticket.  The Eventbrite page will give you the name, date and time, location, refund policy and description which includes information about directions and parking. We are sorry but you can only book tickets for one event at a time.

If you want to buy tickets for multiple events on-line, please use the booking form and send this to events@yorkshiregardenstrust.org.uk. Please pay for your tickets on-line by bank transfer to Yorkshire Gardens Trust, Reference ‘Surname’ Events, Sort Code 05-09-94, Account No 25555237, or you can send a cheque to Lynn Watkinson, 5 Belle Vue Terrace, Bellerby, Leyburn DL8 5QL. Tickets will be sent to you by email.

If you are unable to buy tickets on-line, please can you either ask a friend or relative who has access to the internet to buy the tickets for you either using Eventbrite or using the booking form as above. Payment can be made by bank transfer to Yorkshire Gardens Trust, Reference Events, Sort Code 05-09-94 Account No 25555237, or you can send a cheque to Lynn Watkinson, 5 Belle Vue Terrace, Bellerby, Leyburn DL8 5QL. Tickets will be sent to you by email.

Otherwise please post the booking form with your selection of events, a self-addressed envelope and a cheque made out to Yorkshire Gardens Trust to Lynn Watkinson, 5 Belle Vue Terrace, Bellerby, Leyburn DL8 5QL.