Art at Beningbrough

Blue illustration of a hare created from linoprint — Harvest Moon by Gerard Hobson

Brown hare print by Gerard Hobson — Brown hare by Gerard Hobson

Winter Wildlife in Print by Gerard Hobson - after the leaves have fallen and the flowers have gone, wander the gardens to discover beautifully crafted artwork inspired by real-life creatures that make Beningbrough their home.

Take a walk on the wild side

Explore Beningbrough's eight acres of gardens and look out for the swallows, swifts and housemartins swooping among the trees and spot the mice, weasel and stoat hunting for food. Step into the potting shed and find who's sheltering from the cold and peek into a nest to see who's hibernating.

Inspired by the resident wildlife, discover fourteen sculptural scenes by Yorkshire artist Gerard Hobson nestled among the trees and the garden buildings. From a drumming of woodpeckers to a pair of boxing hares, these beautifully crafted linocuts showcase the artist’s lifelong passion for birds, animals and art.

Illustration of bird on a wintry mistletoe branch — The garden is a regular source of inspiration for Gerard

Inside the bothy, is a short film about the artist and his work and the materials to make a free take-home birdfeeder. In the Walled Garden restaurant you can pick up a special colouring-in sheet designed by the artist.

Head indoors for the print exhibition

Upstairs in the Hayloft*, find a display of Gerard's print work. From barn owls to brown hares, much of the wildlife hanging on the walls live around Beningbrough's gardens and parkland.

You will be able to buy a print that particularly catches your eye or for a perfect Christmas gift.

Room with artwork on the walls — Head upstairs to the Hayloft for the indoor exhibition

*Room accessed by stairs only, images of artwork available at ground level.

When to visit

Until 1 March 2020 on open days

Winter weekends 11am - 3.30pm
Plus 26-29 December and New Year's Day for a festive day out
Also open Tuesday 18 - Friday 21 February 2020 for the local half term holiday

Free entry to National Trust members and under fives or normal admission charges apply.

Treat yourself to something special

Pop into the stables shop and find a unique range making the most of Gerard's beautiful work; from bags to books, magnets to mugs and cards for all occasions.

Cards, bag and other retail items on display showing wildlife illustrations — Pick up one of the unique products inspired by the current exhibition

Join a printmaking workshop

Be inspired by Beningbrough's wildlife and the exhibition and have a go at printmaking with Gerard Hobson on an upcoming workshop.

Family printmaking workshop - Saturday 22 February, 10am-12pm

Join Gerard Hobson for this adult and child, fun together workshop, where you’ll both take inspiration from nature and design and create an artwork to take home.

Suitable for primary aged children, we will be experimenting with different types of simple printing - such as monoprint - and using natural materials to create a collage printed art piece. £25 for one adult and one child

Call 01904 472014 to book your place on the workshop or find out a little more. All the workshops are in the Hayloft, which is accessed by stairs only.

The workshops dated 9 November, 18 January & 8 February are now fully booked.

Yorkshire artist Gerard Hobson in his workshop

About Gerard Hobson

Since childhood Gerard Hobson has had a love for birds, animals and art. His love of wildlife saw him qualify as a zoologist from Bangor University in 1984, before working for Wiltshire Wildlife Trust as a botanist. Later he became an illustrator for them, working on leaflets and sign boards. After relocating up north, Gerard worked for Yorkshire Wildlife and continued to develop his work on a freelance basis. In more recent years he has turned his hand to woodcarving and these days focuses his attention on linoprint making.

Coming next in the Saloon Galleries

Now closed for winter conservation, the hall will re-open with a brand new exhibition on open days 3 March - 1 November 2020.

Two women looking at art hanging on a wall

In the Moment: The Art of Wellbeing

Spring will soon be upon us and with it the arrival of a new art exhibition. Based on the ‘five ways to wellbeing’ (connect, take notice, be active, give, keep learning), discover how looking at art can help you to relax and disconnect from life’s daily worries. Featuring work by L.S. Lowry, Tracey Emin, Marc Chagall, Bridget Riley and Jacques Nimki, among others, the exhibition is created in partnership with the Arts Council Collection.