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 see below for other recommended attractions and towns to visit near Duncombe Park.

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Distances and directions shown below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Duncombe Park

Helmsley Castle	(0.9 miles, 1.5 km)	Pictures
Rievaulx Abbey	(2.1 miles, 3.3 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Gilling Castle	(3.5 miles, 5.7 km, direction S)	Pictures
Byland Abbey	(4.0 miles, 6.4 km, direction SW)	Pictures
The Kilburn White Horse	(5.5 miles, 8.8 km, direction W)	Pictures
The Howardian Hills	(7.0 miles, 11.2 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Slingsby Castle	(7.5 miles, 12.0 km, direction SE)	Pictures
The World of James Herriot Museum	(10.8 miles, 17.3 km, direction W)	Pictures
Sheriff Hutton Castle	(10.8 miles, 17.4 km, direction S)	Pictures
Castle Howard	(10.8 miles, 17.4 km, direction SE)	Pictures

All attractions in North Yorkshire
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Duncombe Park

Helmsley, a Historic Market Town in the county of North Yorkshire (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.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Rievaulx, in the county of North Yorkshire (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.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Coxwold, in the county of North Yorkshire (5.3 miles, 8.6 km, direction SW)
Coxwold is one of those villages that appear to have changed very little with the passing of the centuries.
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Husthwaite, in the county of North Yorkshire (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.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Lastingham, in the county of North Yorkshire (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.
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Rosedale Abbey, in the county of North Yorkshire (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.
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Pickering, a Historic Market Town in the county of North Yorkshire (12.2 miles, 19.7 km, direction E)
The enduring popularity of the East Coast of North Yorkshire owes much to the excellent long sandy beaches, while the lure of the wild moorland and its communities never fades.
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Osmotherley, in the county of North Yorkshire (12.9 miles, 20.8 km, direction NW)
Osmotherley is a beautiful unspoilt village on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors, it lies surrounded by moors and pastureland between the Cleveland and Hambleton Hills.
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Old Malton, in the county of North Yorkshire (13.8 miles, 22.2 km, direction SE)
This delightful village nestles beneath the shadow of the Howardian Hills close to the rivers Rye and Derwent.
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Thornton-le-Dale, a Picturesque Village in the county of North Yorkshire (14.3 miles, 23.1 km, direction E)
Thornton-le-Dale is a lovely village lying at the foot of the North Yorkshire Moors.
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All towns in North Yorkshire
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Thirsk Station	(12.0 miles, 19.3 km, direction W)
Malton Station	(13.4 miles, 21.5 km, direction SE)
A1(M) Junction 49	(14.8 miles, 23.8 km, direction W)
A1(M) Junction 49	(15.7 miles, 25.2 km, direction SW)
Teesside International Airport	(23.6 miles, 38.0 km, direction NW)
Leeds Bradford International Airport	(35.1 miles, 56.5 km, direction SW)
Duncombe Park to London	(192.8 miles, 310.2 km, direction S)

Accommodation & Hotels near Duncombe Park

Hotel Name
The Black Swan Hotel	(1.0 miles, 1.6 km)
The Hawnby Hotel	(5.7 miles, 9.2 km, direction NW)
The Worsley Arms Hotel	(6.2 miles, 9.9 km, direction SE)
Kings Head Hotel	(6.4 miles, 10.2 km, direction NE)
George & Dragon Hotel	(6.4 miles, 10.3 km, direction E)
George at Easingwold	(9.2 miles, 14.8 km, direction SW)
The Divan Hotel Thirsk	(10.1 miles, 16.2 km, direction W)
The Three Tuns Hotel	(10.7 miles, 17.1 km, direction W)
White Horse Farm Inn	(11.0 miles, 17.7 km, direction NE)
The White Swan Inn	(12.2 miles, 19.7 km, direction E)
All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts