Scampston Hall

About the museum

Scampston estate was bought by the St Quintin family in the late seventeenth century, and the first house on the site was built around 1700. It was remodelled to a design by Thomas Leverton between 1795 and 1800, and this Regency house with its interiors is the building visitors see today.

Most of the picture collection was acquired in the late eighteenth century by Sir William St Quintin, the fourth baronet. It includes works by Thomas Gainsborough, who was his friend, as well as paintings by artists such as Batoni, Romney, Lely and Kneller. A porcelain collection was added later. The estate passed to the Legard family through marriage, and the house was redecorated in 1860 and 1910.

In the 1990s the house had to be re-roofed, rewired and replumbed before being almost completely redecorated. Today it is the home of Christopher and Miranda Legard and their family, who open it to the public for guided tours on selected days in summer and autumn.

The house stands in an eighteenth-century park laid out by Capability Brown. The modern walled garden is the main attraction on the estate and shares the visitor entrance with the hall tours.

Highlights

• Regency house remodelled by Thomas Leverton
• Paintings including works by Gainsborough
• Porcelain collection
• Capability Brown parkland
• Modern walled garden next to the hall

Permanent exhibition

• Scampston Hall guided tour – Tours of the Regency house show the family rooms and art, and in autumn the 'Upstairs, Downstairs' tour includes the cellars.

Operated by

Scampston Estate (Legard family)

Admission & discounts

The basic ticket covers the walled garden, hall gardens and parkland trails; the hall tour is included in the Hall and Gardens ticket or can be added as an upgrade at the ticket office. Historic Houses members are admitted free. RHS members enter the gardens free on Fridays and throughout October, and pay £7 for the Hall and Gardens ticket. Gardeners' World 2-for-1 vouchers are accepted on Fridays and Saturdays.

Accessibility

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

The walled garden is flat. A wheelchair and a mobility scooter can be borrowed free of charge (booking advised). On hall tours the ground floor is accessible with a manual wheelchair; the first floor is not. Disabled parking is next to the walled garden entrance. Dogs are not allowed in the walled garden or the hall except assistance dogs, but are welcome elsewhere on the estate.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

Sensory bags and Scamp Explorer packs can be borrowed from the ticket office, and a nature trail with an activity sheet is offered. A woodland play area has a tractor, bug hotel and climbing frame. School-holiday activities and children's clubs run regularly. Baby-changing facilities are by the café. The garden and parkland are flat and suitable for pushchairs; the ground floor of the hall is accessible with a pushchair, the first floor is not. Bikes and scooters are not allowed in the garden or parkland.

Getting there & parking

Scampston lies just north of the A64; leave it half a mile after Rillington (from Leeds or York) and follow signs to the Walled Garden. The satnav postcode is YO17 8NG.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The Pantry Café & Kitchen (open 10am to 4pm), a plant sales area and a gift shop; the café can be visited without a garden ticket.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Corporate events, conservatory and parkland hire are offered.

Plan your visit