Winter at Beningbrough

The days may be shorter but Beningbrough opens weekends in winter for bracing walks and warming refreshment with plenty still to see and do.

Partly to bed

During winter, the conservation team carry out essential work for the long term care of the building and collection. Parts of the ground floor and the first floor are closed until 3 March 2018 but there is still half of the hall to explore and a great many portraits to see. In December the Christmas decorations adorn the entrance hall and Father Christmas pays a visit to the children. The interactive galleries are open too, great for big and little kids alike - dressing up, sculpting a nose or sitting for your very own virtual portrait.

When to visit

• Open weekends throughout winter.
• Open on Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
• The gardens, restaurant and shop are open 11am - 3.30pm. 
• Selected rooms in the hall open at 11.30am.
• Open for the local half-term school holiday Saturday 10 - Sunday 18 February 2018 (closed Monday).

What to expect from your visit

Putting you in the picture

Pick up a new and updated picture pack for your visit this winter. The handy collection of cards guide you around the house and gardens and provide some interesting tales and titbits for your visit to Beningbrough. 

The owl art trail, indoors and out

Running until 25 February 2018, you'll find the 'oh wise owl' art installation alongside the children's owl mask trail through the gardens. From the 14 January 2018, the exhibition continues indoors with new artwork in the Hayloft.

Weekends in December

Father Christmas visits Beningbrough for his annual holiday with his hard working elves. In the Hayloft, the ever popular Artrageous returns with festive crafting. No need to book, come and join us from 1pm - 3pm.

*Please note Father Christmas has now left Beningbrough to prepare for Christmas*

February half-term

Pull up a chair with master storyteller Eden who is back on 11 & 14 February with more tall tales and short stories written especially for Beningbrough.

With Artrageous, have a go at creating your own origami owl on 13 & 15 February.

Explore the parkland with the garden team on 16 February looking for and learning about owls and their habitats.

See 300,000 spring bulbs in the ha-ha walk

Many visitors helped in 2016 with the challenge to plant 300,000 bulbs to commemorate the 300th year of the hall. As winter turns to spring, wander along the ha-ha walk and soak in the views over the south parkland. The colour will flow from the whites of the river of snowdrops into pale purples of crocus and yellow of daffodils. The challenge is to spot which patch you planted!

Eating and shopping in winter 

After all that exploring you might want to have a rest and refuel and warm up a little. The stables shop has a large range of gifts and cards or things to help you enjoy your outdoor adventures. Browse with the contentment knowing all the profits made help the conservation work of the National Trust.

In the walled garden restaurant cakes are made fresh each weekend and soup is available for a lighter lunch. Hot food is served 11.30am - 2pm with delicious locally sourced, homemade meals on the menu.

Stretch your legs a little further in the parkland

The formal gardens sit in the middle of 380 acres of parkland full of ancient trees and wildlife habitats. This is free to enjoy and open everyday in daylight hours......but come prepared as it can be muddy and all facilities will be closed except on a weekend. It's free to park and walks can be enjoyed through wooded glades and along riverside paths from 20 minutes to 2 hours. Dogs are welcome in the parkland, not beyond the pay barrier and in the formal gardens, but please keep dogs on leads or under close control and pick up after your four-legged friend.

Download a winter walking map (PDF / 0.982421875MB) download   or see more here.

Or perfect for smaller feet there is an easy walk version than can be enjoyed alongside the seasonal map or independently.

Download the put yourself in the picture easy walk leaflet (PDF / 0.23828125MB) download