Rarely open to the public until 2001, this year the Hall will be open for just 30 afternoons by kind permission of the Owners.

Visitors to the Hall park in the One Acre Paddock and walk along the side of the moat, where they will be greeted by the two resident Black Swans, before approaching the imposing face of the Tudor Gatehouse (now the Hall’s administrative hub).

Through the Gatehouse, the peaceful quadrangle opens up and visitors walk past beautiful planting and on in to the Undercroft where they are met by the first of our wonderful Volunteer Stewards. We have a Steward in each of the rooms – they are a fount of knowledge and visitors are encouraged to ask as many questions as they like.

Within the Hall, visitors see the Undercroft (originally part of the Hall’s kitchen and storage area), the Dogs’ Entrance and the splendid Mediaeval vaulting of “the most unusual Utility Room in North Yorkshire” on the ground floor before going upstairs to the Great Hall, the Chapel and the Four Poster Bedroom. Access to the first floor is by a series of shallow steps with wide treads.

After viewing the Hall, visitors then have the opportunity to walk around the moat. This gives visitors the opportunity to see the Hall from every angle and to appreciate the splendid architecture of each side. A map of the walk is printed in the back of the Hall’s guidebook, and copies are also available to pick up in the Undercroft.

During the Hall’s open days there are plants for sale in the Courtyard courtesy of the Hall’s Gardener Giles Gilbey.

There is no need to book for a visit to the Hall during the 30 Open Days.

Refreshments are not available at the Hall – we recommend that visitors go to nearby Burton Leonard or Bishop Monkton, or the Grass Roots Farm Shop at the Bishop Monkton crossroads.

We suggest that you allow an hour to an hour and a half for a visit to the Hall.

Prices: £10 per Adult, £6 per Senior / Concession and £3 for Children (please note we cannot take card payments).

Entrance is free to members of the Historic Houses Association, members of The Friends of Markenfield and to those who work or volunteer at Tourist Information Centres.

Dogs are welcome at the Hall – we have an Office Dog (see left) a Farm Dog, a Gardener’s Dog and – until a couple of years ago – a Hall dog too.

Parking during Open Days is in the One Acre Paddock, where you will plenty of shade. Dogs are welcome in the Courtyard and on 3/4 of the Moat Walk. The remaining 1/4 of the Moat Walk is through farmland and does generally contain livestock so we ask that dogs are kept out of that field.

The Hall is now home to a cat and so we ask that you do not bring your dog into the house itself. If you are two people bringing a dog together, there is a bench in the Courtyard and you are welcome to sit and wait on the bench whilst the other person goes around the house.