Nostell's collection

A green and gold-japanned serpentine dressing table by Thomas Chippendale, part of the collection at Nostell in Yorkshire — Green and gold dressing table by Thomas Chippendale at Nostell | © National Trust Images/John Hammond

From world class furniture to elaborate interior design, and paintings by world-renowned artists, the collection at Nostell is full of treasures, bought to impress guests to the Winn family's Yorkshire residence. Here are some of the top must-see items to enjoy during your visit.

Nostell's world-class Chippendale collection

A world-famous furniture maker, Thomas Chippendale supplied over 100 items to the house at Nostell, ranging from a simple chopping block to entire rooms in the latest Chinese fashion.

You’ll find the interior worlds he created alongside Robert Adam on the opulent first floor of the house.

Ornate decorated plasterwork

Nostell’s interiors are a work of art in themselves. Over two generations, the Rose family of plasterers crafted superbly intricate ceilings for the house.

The vibrant Rococo designs of James Paine, with motifs taken from nature, were later joined by the more sober Neo-classical decoration of Robert Adam which used geometric shapes and ornaments taken from Roman and Greek archaeology.

View of the Billiard Room at Nostell in Yorkshire, showing the billiard table and longcase clock made by John Harrison — The longcase clock made by John Harrison in the Billiard Room | © National Trust Images/Andreas von Einsiedel

Longcase clock by John Harrison

Harrison is famous around the world for having invented the maritime chronometer, the scientific instrument that finally allowed sailors to accurately measure their location at sea.

The clock at Nostell dates to 1717 and is one of just four surviving early examples of his work. With a mechanism made almost entirely from wood, it's signed and dated by its proud craftsman.

Paintings at Nostell

Nostell is home to a collection of world-class paintings bought by the Winn family to show their wealth and status.

The Procession to Calvary by Pieter Brueghel the Younger, displayed at Nostell in Yorkshire. It shows Christ carrying the Cross, set in a large landscape with many other notable biblical figures shown. — 'The Procession to Calvary' by Pieter Brueghel the Younger, showing Christ carrying the Cross | © National Trust Images

‘The Procession to Calvary’ by Pieter Breughel the Younger (1564 – 1638)

Painted in 1602, this painting was probably bought by the 5th baronet in the late 18th century. It shows a scene of Christ, surrounded by a crowd, carrying his cross to the hill of Golgotha where he would be crucified. Instead of trying to imagine Jerusalem as it really would have been, the artist has captured the landscape of his native Flanders (now Belgium) at the time he lived. The painting is full of carefully observed details of everyday life, creating a rich and powerful impression.

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