Three Historic Houses To Celebrate Yorkshire Day 2025
What is Yorkshire Day?
Yorkshire Day is celebrated annually on August 1st as a day dedicated to celebrating the culture, history and pride of England's largest county. The event was first celebrated officially in 1985 when council authorities decided to band together and host a joint civic celebration in York. Convened by the Yorkshire Society and attended by Yorkshire's civic heads, this event is now repeated annually.
Before its official naming, the Light Infantry celebrated the day-which falls on the first day after the Battle of Minden - as 'Minden Day.' Whether called 'Minden Day' or 'Yorkshire Day,' August 1st marks Yorkshire's enduring identity and strong community spirit. Here are three historic houses steeped in Yorkshire Heritage:
Carlton Towers: Eight Centuries of Noble Heritage
Tucked away in a quiet corner of rural Yorkshire, Carlton Towers reflects a remarkable continuity of Yorkshire tradition. The house appears overwhelmingly Victorian at first glance, with its turrets, gargoyles and towers reinforcing a gothic impression. Yet its deeper roots stretch back much further—the home has been passed down through a continuous line of noble families since the Norman Conquest in 1066, with today's family lineage traced back to 1301.
In the 19th century, the 9th Baron Beaumont, Henry Stapleton, transformed it into the grand home it is today, complete with an ornate chapel and the date 1777 proudly inscribed above the East Wing clock. Today, Carlton Towers remains a cherished family home to Lord and Lady Gerald Fitzalan Howard, whose lineage has welcomed visitors for over 800 years.
A visit to Carlton Towers offers more than just a day out to celebrate Yorkshire Day—it's an opportunity to connect with the region's rich history spanning nearly a millennium.
Plan your visit to Carlton Towers here.
Newby Hall: The Jewel of the North
Step into your own version of Downton Abbey this Yorkshire Day with a visit to Newby Hall. Located near Ripon and often called the 'jewel of the north,' Newby blends grand architecture with centuries of aristocratic history. Designed with the influence of Sir Christopher Wren and Robert Adam, and still home to the Compton family, it offers a true taste of English country life.
From its opulent interiors to the beautifully restored 18th-century Orangery, Newby is the perfect place to celebrate Yorkshire's heritage in style. The estate's real-life history even inspired key plot points in the first series of Downton Abbey. Lord Grantham shares his title with Newby's 19th-century owner, and the heir, like Matthew Crawley, was connected to Ripon, just four miles away. Even Lady Mary mirrors Lady Mary Robinson, who inherited Newby through marriage.
Can you spot any similar echoes of the show during your visit?
Broughton Sanctuary: Where Heritage Meets Innovation
Touch base with heritage this Yorkshire Day at Broughton Sanctuary. Sitting on the edge of a 3,000-acre estate and known as 'The Gateway to the Yorkshire Dales,' Broughton combines centuries of English history with cutting-edge wellbeing practices.
Home to the Tempest family since the 11th century, its grand halls and 18th-century gardens evoke timeless elegance, while its state-of-the-art wellness center 'Avalon' invites you to unwind in saunas, hydrotherapy pools and yoga studios. Whether you're seeking stillness or splendor, Broughton is where Yorkshire tradition meets modern innovation—the perfect embodiment of the county's ability to honor its past while embracing the future.
