Winter at Beningbrough

South side of the hall and conservatory in a frosty day — Bright and frosty days help to blow the cobwebs away

The days may be shorter but Beningbrough opens weekends in winter for bracing walks and warming refreshment with plenty still to see and do including Sounds of Winter: Whispering Spaces.

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 Tuesday 5 March 2019 but there are still parts of the hall to explore and a great many portraits to see. In December Father Christmas visits for a holiday before his big day and tells stories in the library. 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. The winter sound trail can be found in lesser known parts of the garden and outdoor buildings.

Wrap up warm and explore Beningbrough's first ever sound trail

The ha-ha walk covered in winter snow at Beningbrough — Footsteps in the snow along Beningbrough's ha-ha walk

The Sounds of Winter at Beningbrough

Discover the Sounds of Winter: Whispering Spaces, an exhibition of six bespoke sound pieces scattered across Beningbrough's outdoor buildings and gardens. In the quiet of a winter garden, whispering sounds and voices echo past histories and nature’s secret activity.

Explore the atmospheric soundscape

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 23 February - Sunday 3 March 2019 (closed Monday).

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

Beningbrough Hall ha-ha walk carpeted in snowdrops — The ha-ha walk at Beningbrough carpeted in snowdrops

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!

Dogs are welcome to visit with you on winter weekends

Visitors dog-walking at Ickworth, Suffolk

Bring your dog to Beningbrough

After a positive three month trial, you can now bring your four legged friend to Beningbrough for a walk around the North Yorkshire gardens any day we're open.

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.

New for 2018 was the introduction of the Brew House - a cafe in the Laundry Courtyard near to the Wilderness Play Area. It's the perfect place to warm up with a hot drink whilst the family plays, dog's are welcome and the new toilets next door make visiting the far reaches of the garden a little more comfortable!

February half term

Open Saturday 23 February - Sunday 3 March (closed Monday) for the local school holidays. Along with all the regular things to do, expect stories, art workshops and a trail to kick start your spring adventures.

Keep up to date with what's on.

Stretch your legs a little further in the parkland

Backs of legs of small children walking in wellington boots — Boots and a coat are all you need to enjoy a walk 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, but please keep dogs on leads or under close control and pick up after your four-legged friend. Take a look at the trail online or print out the parkland map (PDF / 1.9MB) download to plan your walk.

Opening spring 2019...

Photograph showing actress Jodie Whittaker's head and shoulders

Yorkshire! Achievement, Grit and Controversy at Beningbrough

Step into the Saloon Galleries from 5 March and discover works from artists such as Hepworth, Moore and Hockney. See portraits of well-known Yorkshire faces like the new Doctor Who Jodie Whittaker, former chat show host Michael Parkinson, and boxer Nicola Adams with maybe a few surprises mixed in. Artworks are on loan from the National Portrait Gallery, The Arts Council Collection, York Art Gallery and artist Olivia Hemingway. The displays of over twenty portraits, prints, photographs and sculptures are in three historic rooms on the first floor of the hall until 3 November 2019.