Pictures of Duncombe Park

a Garden or Park in the town of Helmsley, in the county of North Yorkshire

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About Duncombe Park

This magnificent historic mansion has a rich, colourful history. The house is an impressive Baroque style building overlooking rolling countryside and the River Rye. It stands on land acquired several centuries ago, upon which once stood a medieval castle.

The Helmsley Estate was purchased by Sir Charles Duncombe in 1695, he was a rich London banker. Following the death of Sir Charles, the estate was inherited by Thomas Duncombe his nephew - he commissioned a new house to be built on the estate and chose for his architect an unknown amateur by the name of William Wakefield, a prominent lawyer by profession, Wakefield is also accredited with the building of York Castle Goal.

Duncombe Park's landscaped grounds are thought to have been laid out by Charles Bridgeman. A magnificent terrace with elegant circular temples at either end dominates the eastern side of the house. This terrace is considered to be one of the most important pieces of 18th century English landscaping. Later in the same century another terrace was added, this overlooks the Rievaulx Abbey side, the abbey was formerly part of the Helmsley estate.

Although the landscaping was preserved, the house met with mixed fortunes with each successive owner adding and altering according to design taste of the era. The result of these changes was never less than stunning, but sadly in 1879 the house became ravaged by fire. Between 1891 and 1894 restoration work was carried out by Scottish architect William Young. However, 30 years later the house was abandoned by the family and leased out for use as a girl's school.

For sixty years the school occupied Duncombe Park, then in a reversal of fortunes, the 6th Lord Feversham took over the house and began a programme of restoration and renovation. Since then, it has been lovingly restored and filled again with some of the paintings and furniture previously removed. To these have been added other appropriate pieces so that once again the great house has a gracious, exquisitely decorated interior with a warm "lived in" feel.

Visitors are invited to visit for a tour of the house between April and the end of October. The tour takes in the magnificent staircases, grand hall, dining room, withdrawing room, the saloon and the library. There is a splendid set of bedrooms including the famous Italian bedroom, and below stairs fascinating servants quarters.

In the unique parkland you can enjoy walks in imaginative gardens and through miles of richly wooded areas, visit a nature reserve to see gorgeous feathered Peacocks, other birds and animals, all of this is in glorious open countryside. There are tempting shops, a Parkland centre, picnic and play areas, and a tearoom. Duncombe Park plays host to a number of annual events, these include craft fairs, a steam fair, a dog show and falcon displays.

For lovers looking for a special venue in which to exchange their marriage vows, followed by a wedding breakfast in the splendour of a great historic house, Duncombe Park in its unrivalled setting provides the perfect answer.

Duncombe Park lies close to the fringe of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park, it is of interest to everyone who cares for the nations heritage, and offers an exciting time for all age groups.

Please upload your photos of Duncombe Park or see below for towns & villages near Duncombe Park and a list of other nearby attractions to visit.

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Recommended towns & villages near Duncombe Park

	Helmsley (1.0 miles, 1.6 km) The town itself is very pretty with lots of interesting stone buildings set around a market square where visitors can find attractive craft and gift shops, as well as cafe's and no less than four former coaching inns... Information | Pictures (137) | Hotels | Holiday Cottages
	Rievaulx (2.2 miles, 3.5 km, direction NW) The pretty village of Rievaulx has a wealth of stout stone cottages and a few hansome houses nestling in a curve beyond dry-stone walls beneath the wooded hills of the beautiful Rydale Valley... Information | Pictures (6) | Hotels | Holiday Cottages
	Husthwaite (7.0 miles, 11.2 km, direction SW) Set in the spacious countryside between the Hambleton and Howardian Hills, the attractive village of Husthwaite stands on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors... Information | Hotels | Holiday Cottages
	Lastingham (9.2 miles, 14.9 km, direction NE) Lastingham is a small village set amidst fine wooded Yorkshire countryside. It is an area renowned for its wonderful scenery where often in a quiet lane you will find an ancient corn mill... Information | Hotels | Holiday Cottages
	Rosedale Abbey (11.3 miles, 18.2 km, direction NE) This is a lovely village hidden in a lush green valley landscape of sweeping hillsides, meadows and breathtaking scenery... Information | Pictures (8) | Hotels | Holiday Cottages

Recommended attractions near Duncombe Park

	Helmsley Castle (0.9 miles, 1.5 km) This is a fascinating site where you can explore the 12th century ruins of a once great castle and spectacular earthworks cut..... Information | Pictures (15) | Hotels
	Rievaulx Terrace & Temples (2.0 miles, 3.2 km, direction NW) One of Yorkshire's finest 18th-century landscape gardens, containing two temples... Information | Pictures (1) | Hotels
	Rievaulx Abbey (2.1 miles, 3.3 km, direction NW) Rievaulx Abbey is situated on 15 acres in the valley of Rye approximately 3 miles from Helmsley in Northern Yorkshire and was..... Information | Pictures (90) | Hotels
	Gilling Castle (3.5 miles, 5.7 km, direction S) Gilling Castle rises above Gilling East in a fabulous setting between the Hambledon and Howardian Hills. The house is..... Information | Pictures (1) | Hotels
	Byland Abbey (4.0 miles, 6.4 km, direction SW) It would be hard to find a more perfect setting for the gracious ruins of centuries old Byland Abbey than this remote valley spot..... Information | Pictures (11) | Hotels

Hotels near Duncombe Park

Hotels near Duncombe Park  Cottages near Duncombe Park  Bed & Breakfast near Duncombe Park

	The Feversham Arms Hotel & Verbena Spa Helmsley, North Yorkshire, England (0.9 miles, 1.5 km) In a beautiful setting on the edge of the stunning North Yorkshire Moors, in the pretty market town of Helmsley, this elegant 4-star hotel is a haven of laid-back luxury.... More info and book online..  Price from £120.00
	The Feathers Helmsley, North Yorkshire, England (1.0 miles, 1.6 km) The Feathers is in the centre of Helmsley in the North York Moors National Park. It has 3 bars, and en suite rooms, some of which have views of Helmsley’s Castle. In the bars there is local produce... More info and book online..  Price from £55.00
	The Black Swan Hotel Helmsley, North Yorkshire, England (1.0 miles, 1.6 km) In the picturesque North Yorkshire market town of Helmsley, The Black Swan is a stylish hotel with boutique bedrooms. The historic inn has an award-winning restaurant and tearoom.... More info and book online..  Price from £117.00
	Wombwell Arms Wass, North Yorkshire, England (3.6 miles, 5.8 km, direction SW) On the edge of the North York Moors National Park, this traditional pub dates back to 1620 and offers free Wi-Fi and free parking on site. It retains its original flagstone floor, beamed ceiling and a... More info and book online..  Price from £65.00
	Plumpton Court Nawton, North Yorkshire, England (3.6 miles, 5.8 km, direction E) Dating back to the 17th century, Plumpton Court is a small, homely B&B with hotel-style services. The building has been lovingly restored, and the en suite rooms have a traditional country style.... More info and book online..  Price from £74.00