Markenfield Hall

About the museum

Markenfield Hall is a moated manor house in the Yorkshire countryside south of Ripon. The estate is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, and from the 12th century it was held by a family who took the name de Markenfield. In 1310 John de Markenfield, a royal clerk who had risen to be Chancellor of the Exchequer under Edward II, received a licence from the king to fortify the house, and the surviving hall, chapel and undercroft date from this period of enlargement. The chapel is dedicated to St Michael the Archangel.

The Markenfield family kept the house until 1569, when Sir Thomas Markenfield and his uncle Sir Richard Norton took part in the Rising of the North, a failed Catholic rebellion against Elizabeth I. The estate was seized as a punishment for treason and passed to new owners. In 1761 it was bought by Fletcher Norton, later Lord Grantley, and for many years it was let to tenant farmers who divided and disguised much of the medieval interior.

In the early 1980s the 7th Lord Grantley and Lady Grantley began a long restoration, stripping back later alterations and uncovering the original medieval plan. Lady Deirdre and her husband Ian Curteis continued the work in the 2000s, restoring the Great Hall, chapel and undercroft, and later the Tudor gatehouse. The hall is Grade I listed and remains a lived-in family home, which is why it can only be seen on arranged tours led by volunteer guides.

Highlights

• Medieval moated manor house with a licence to fortify dating from 1310
• Great Hall with a replica medieval fireplace
• Private chapel of St Michael the Archangel
• Tudor gatehouse and undercroft
• Links to the Rising of the North in 1569

Operated by

Lady Deirdre and Ian Curteis (private owners)

Admission & discounts

Admission is by advance ticket only, booked through the hall's online ticket shop, where the price of each tour is shown. Tours are free for Historic Houses members on the member tour dates on presentation of the membership card, but members must still book. Group and coach visits are arranged through the administrator.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The hall is Grade I listed, so access is limited. Doorways are narrow and there are small changes of level on the ground floor. The Great Hall, chapel and four-poster room are reached by a wide staircase with handrails on both sides. The house is not suitable for large wheelchairs or mobility scooters. A few portable chairs and walkers can be left in an alcove downstairs. There is a unisex toilet in the gatehouse (not suitable for wheelchairs, narrow doorways) and one in the undercroft down two stone steps with a handrail. Seating is available in the undercroft, Great Hall and chapel. Visitors with access needs should contact the administrator in advance.

Kids & families

The hall offers educational events for schools and colleges by arrangement.

Getting there & parking

The hall lies in the countryside south of Ripon. The what3words location is otherwise.takeovers.slider.

Amenities & dining

Tea, cake and refreshments are served in the house, but only to booked visitors.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 35 guests.

Weddings are limited to a few each year, with exclusive use of the hall, three licensed rooms and the consecrated chapel for up to 35 guests including the couple; the premises must be vacated by 6pm and there is no overnight accommodation. The chapel can also be used for blessings, vow renewals and baby naming ceremonies. Small organisations can hire the hall for away days and workshops, and it is available as a filming location.

Plan your visit