Join Nicholas Merchant for a tour around Leeds’ hidden gem – Temple Newsam. The birthplace of Lord Darnley, and later home to the Earls of Halifax, Temple Newsam has undergone extensive restoration during its ownership by Leeds City Council. With over 40 interiors now on display, it houses one of the most important collections of fine and decorative arts in Britain, including outstanding collections of furniture, ceramics, textiles, silver and wallpaper. Own transport required. Tour followed by tea and cake.

Lockdown saw a huge rise in people starting their jouney back through the branches of their family tree, and enquiries regarding the Markenfield family soared. Join researcher and Volunteer Archivist for a talk on the history of the Markenfield family, followed by time for discussion and any questions you may have. Followed (of course) by tea and cake.

The Auckland Project: a feat of conservation, passion and a desire to share both with the public. Join us for an afternoon emersed in history at its finest.

The Spanish Gallery is the UK’s only art gallery dedicated to the art, history and culture of Spain. It tells a story of Golden Age Spanish art during the 16th and 17th centuries, exploring how its artists expressed the tension between man’s yearning for eternity and the self-evident transience of life.

Own transport required. Lunch included. Time to visit the Castle or Mining Gallery.

Join researcher and Volunterr Archivist Janet Senior as she lifts the lid on Markenfield’s Archives – from the 1700s to 2000s, and everything in between.

Standing on a hill overlooking the River Nidd, Knaresborough Castle was a favourite residence of early English kings.

Edward II granted the Honor and Castle of Knaresborough to Piers Gaveston, one of his favourites. Gaveston was extremely unpopular among the barons who disliked his influence over the King. In 1311, under pressure from the barons, he was banished but was later readmitted to the country. The following year Gaveston was besieged at Scarborough Castle; Edward II stayed at Knaresborough Castle to be close at hand. Might he have visited his Chancellor of the Exchequor whilst in the area? Join us for the evening and you might just find out.

Just as it sounds… join us for a tour of the Hall, followed by a delicious Afternoon Tea lovingly baked by Elizabeth Dennison of The Dusty Miller. “Better than Betty’s” as our visitors’ book says…

Yorkshire is home to some stunning ecclesiastical architecture. Founded in 1988, the Yorkshire’s Historic Churches Trust was established with the aim of helping the preservation, repair and maintenance of churches within the historic boundary of Yorkshire, their monuments and features. Since our inception in 1988, they have funded almost £3,000,000 worth of grants to more than 800 churches in need. Join us for an evening of uplifting stories about the Trust’s work by Rory Wardroper.

Just as it sounds… join us for a tour of the Hall, followed by a delicious Afternoon Tea lovingly baked by Elizabeth Dennison of The Dusty Miller. “Better than Betty’s” as our visitors’ book says…

We have long known that Ninian Markenfield served as a Knight of the Body to Richard III, and that Ninian’s father named him after Richard’s favourite saint. Now, new research has come to light linking Robert Markenfield to The Princes in the Tower – and we couldn’t be more thrilled. Join Researcher and Volunteer Archivist Janet Senior as she delves deeper into Markenfield’s connection with Richard III.

Yorkshire-born author and journalist Madeleine Bunting, who spoke so beautifully about her book The Plot, returns to Markenfield this year with a very different topic. Island Song takes the reader back to 1940, when Helene, young, naive, and recently married, waves goodbye to her husband, who has enlisted in the British army. Her home, Guernsey, is soon invaded by the Germans, leaving her exposed to the hardships of occupation.

Forty years later, her daughter, Roz, begins a search for the truth about her father, and stumbles into the secret history of her mother’s life. Written with emotional acuity and passionate intensity, Island Song speaks of the moral complexities of war-time allegiances, the psychological toll of living with the enemy and the messy reality of human relationships in a tightly knit community.

Join us at Holy Trinity Church in Ripon for an evening with Sir Ranulph Fiennes, in conversation with his lifelong friend and fellow adventurer Anton Bowring.

From floating for three months on an ice floe in the Yukon River with just the odd Canadian polar bear for company, to digging out landmines with a Swiss Army knife, and (hold on to your stomachs) cutting off the frostbitten tips of his fingers with a fretsaw on a Black and Decker workbench.

Sir Ranulph Fiennes has raised millions for charities over the last 20 years, and The Friends are hugely gratful to him for fundraising for them this evening. All welcome. Refreshments on arrival. Book signing to finish, with thanks to The Little Ripon Bookshop.