Group visits to Beningbrough

A group of people walking and laughing together at Lyme Park in Cheshire — Visiting with a group is an alternative way to explore Beningbrough | © National Trust Images/Megan Taylor

Inspired by the romance of Italy but proudly Yorkshire through and through, there are over eight acres of formal garden waiting to be explored, a selection of historic rooms and changing art exhibitions. Find out everything you need to know about arranging a group visit to Beningbrough.

When to visit

Please note we are currently unable to accept coach bookings until June 2024 due to construction work impacting the coach park.
June - August, Monday - Friday
September - May, Monday - Saturday on open days (except bank holidays)

Please check the day you wish to visit is an open day ahead of completing your booking form.

Explore the garden with your group

With over eight acres of formal garden to explore, green-fingered enthusiasts will love the huge variety of gardens on offer, whatever the season.

The gardens are slowly undergoing a renaissance with designs by RHS Gold award winner Andy Sturgeon. The new Mediterranean Garden, which is part of this new garden vision, is now open.

Herbaceous borders

Meander the blooms of the herbaceous borders and formal gardens flanking the hall and sweeping south lawn, or maybe take the route less travelled where nature is left to do her thing before spilling out into the wider parkland beyond.

Walled kitchen garden

The specialists in the group won’t be disappointed either with a selection of rare and unusual trees as well as a two-acre walled kitchen garden, cultivated using traditional methods.

Visitors in the Walled Garden at Beningbrough Hall and Gardens, North Yorkshire — A summer visit is a must for garden lovers in your group | © National Trust Images/Paul Harris

The hall and art gallery

The historic rooms on the ground floor of the hall are now open after nearly two years. Groups will be able to explore the spaces at their leisure, taking in the intricate architecture of the building, better than ever before with new lighting throughout. A country house story is told through key pieces of the collection, moments in history and people who shaped the estate over the centuries.

The Reddihough Galleries on the first floor of the hall is home to a changing programme of art exhibitions. The next exhibition which opens on the 10 September will profile the artwork of eighteenth-century artist Mary Delany in a photographic display in collaboration with the British Museum.

Refreshment and shopping break

Having fully explored the garden, your group will probably be in the mood for some refreshments. The restaurant welcomes all groups to sit down and relax over a cup of tea or, if you’ve worked up a bit more of an appetite, enjoy the delicious range of seasonal and locally sourced food on the menu.

Complete your trip to Beningbrough with a visit to the stables shop, filled with locally inspired gifts and treats. As with the restaurant, any profit made supports the work of the charity helping us to look after places like Beningbrough for future generations, so thank you in advance for your custom.

Four people exploring around a large wooden staircase — Your eyes might trick you when you first see the cantilever staircase | © National Trust / Anthony Chappel-Ross

Essential information 

Discounts are available for pre-booked groups of 15 or more.
Meet and greet available on request.
Free coach parking on site, 20 yards from the entrance (limited space – booking essential).
Approach from A19 only to avoid Aldwark toll bridge as there is a weight limit. Follow the coach signs on arrival to avoid the entrance at Newton-on-Ouse with a low arch.
Free admission and £10 restaurant voucher  for coach driver.
Three electric scooters and two wheelchairs are available for hire, free of charge (booking essential).

For further information please contact us on 01904 472027 or send us an email.

Who is eligible for free entry?

Registered tourist board guides (on production of a valid badge), coach drivers and tour leaders escorting groups of 15 or more. National Trust members also receive free entry, so it is at your discretion whether to refund the entrance fee to members if you have included it in your package – this is not refunded by the National Trust.

Members must bring their current membership cards with them to avoid paying the full group rate. If any of your group would like to join the National Trust please direct them to our Membership page or call 0344 800 1895.

Free familiarisation visits for group leaders

If you're planning a group visit you can request our free Travel Trade Pass and you and a friend or colleague will gain free entry to over 300 of our places throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland for 12 months. There’s nothing quite like seeing or experiencing somewhere for yourself to help you plan a successful visit. To receive your pass, call 0344 249 1895 or email us at traveltrade@nationaltrust.org.uk

North Talks Service

The volunteer talks service in the North of England offers a variety of illustrated National Trust themed presentations to local groups, clubs and organisations, all given by our experienced volunteer speakers. You can hear about past families, spooky tales of ancient properties, gardens and estates or find out more about the buildings, countryside and coastline we look after and how we care for them. For those who are further afield, we offer some online presentations.

Our speakers and their topics

Ormesby Hall and the Pennyman family

An introduction to one of North Yorkshire’s oldest and most influential families.

The National Trust in Northumbria

Discover the National Trust’s properties north of the Tees.

The National Trust in Yorkshire

A wander through Yorkshire with the National Trust.

Mount Grace Priory

Discover the only accessible Carthusian monastic site in the country, its reclusive monks and the links to a 19th-century industrial Titan and his family.
A Walk round Fountains Abbey

A tour of this world-famous Cistercian Abbey, looking at why, when and how it was established, a description of a monk’s life at the abbey, the purpose and use of the main areas and why, when and how it was closed.

A Walk round the Studley Royal 18th-century Water Gardens

The history of the gardens and the Aislabie family who created and designed them and how the gardens became a World Heritage Site. The talk also discusses scandals concerning the Aislabies. Later owners (1923–1966) the Vyner family, were close friends of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.

A Walk round the Studley Royal Deer Park

The illustrated talk includes the beautiful Wm Burges designed 19th-century St Mary’s Church and its link with Christ the Consoler at Newby Hall; the story of Studley Royal and the fire which destroyed it; the deer and the Deer Park; taking in the Glacial Valley, the Lime Kiln and the Ice Houses.
The Rise, Fall and Rise again of Seaton Delaval Hall

The history of the Delaval family and the work done by the National Trust since taking over in 2009.

Seaton Delaval Hall – what’s new?

Focussing on the changes resulting from a four-year project, current work and plans for the future.

The Families of Wallington Hall

Development of the hall under the Fenwicks, Blacketts and Trevelyans.

Cragside

An overview of the house and gardens plus current information.

The Pleasure Gardens of Gibside

The development of the pleasure gardens under George Bowes; subsequent inheritance by Mary Eleanor Bowes and what happened next.

The National Trust in Northumbria

A travelogue around the region, regularly updated.
Wentworth Castle Gardens

The history of the house and its owners.

It started with a riot! The story of Fountains Abbey

The history of the Abbey from its creation to become one of the most powerful abbeys in England, then to its dissolution.

Conservation, Restoration and Maintenance at Fountains and Studley

Maintaining a World Heritage Site and keeping it in pristine condition.

East Riddlesden Hall

'Heavens to Murgatroyd': the history of the site and the 17th-century manor house, telling tales of the ambition, success and failure of those who lived and worked there.

Studley Royal and the Aislabies

The history of the site and owners, in particular John and William Aislabie who created the Water Gardens and how it ultimately became a World Heritage Site.
Please note that Glennis Whyte will be largely retiring from giving talks in 2025. Therefore, she is not taking any bookings for the second half of 2025. If you'd like a booking for before then, please contact us and Glennis will advise whether she can accomodate the talk.

The House built on Love and Chocolate

The property Goddards in York, the family home of Noel Terry (of Terry’s chocolates).

Treasurer’s House, York and the rise of the Green family

How the 19th-century ‘nouveau riche’ Green family rose in society, mixed with royalty but nearly lost their reputation and how eccentric Frank Green created Treasurer’s House.

Strange and Ghostly Tales of Treasurer’s House in York

Is Treasurer’s House really the most haunted house in York? Whatever your view, dare to hear the scary stories and creepy tales.

Stitches in Time

A spoken and illustrated 'sampler' of handwoven and sewn work in historic houses including carpets, embroidery, tapestry and other needlework.

Where Earth and Sky Meet

National Trust gardens in the York area – Treasurer's House, Goddards and Beningbrough Hall.

Elizabeth Montagu and the founding of the Bluestockings

An 18th-century woman challenged the idea that women should be seen and not heard. Hear about the creation and legacy of the Bluestocking Movement.
Saving our Heritage from Climate Change

The Skell Valley Project bears witness to the benefits of working with nature, controlling extreme river floods and empowering the local community, to make the valley landscape resilient to future weather extremes. This vital project showcases the National Trust as its best and safeguards the longevity for a significant UNESCO World Heritage Site.

What Medieval Monks & Nuns didn’t want you to know

Discover what was found when Bishop’s representatives made visits to English Monasteries & Nunneries.

How Yorkshire Began

Find out in our history, how Yorkshire began and by whom.

Discover when, for the first time, the word 'Yorkshire' was written and why.

Fountains Abbey: from Simplicity, to Splendour, to Ruin

407 years of Cistercian life in a remote valley in Yorkshire which almost didn't happen.

The incredible story of poverty, to unimaginable wealth and status, then to lose it all!

Yorkshire’s Coastal Secret: Incredible but True

The beautiful Yorkshire coastline was scared for life with the birth of a new and unique industry never seen before in England!

Who Do We Think We Are?

Where did we come from as a population, our origins, our languages and customs as a British nation?

Further information

To organise a talk for your group, please note down the name of the speaker and talk you are interested in, and send an email with those details and your contact information to our talks service email address. Once submitted, our team will forward the email onto the speaker and they will get in touch with you directly to discuss dates, topics and practical arrangements. Please note that each speaker has a general travel distance they are willing to travel to give a talk. Most of our speakers are based in North Yorkshire and the North East, but please send us an enquiry and we can email you a helpful map which illustrates general travel distances.
Our volunteers are great ambassadors for the work we are doing in the North of England. The talks they offer help to support our conservation work in this part of the country and promote the projects that we’re passionate about.

We don’t charge a fixed fee for our talks, but instead, we welcome a donation in lieu which can be agreed with your speaker in advance. Please note: all financial rules covering registered charities will be adhered to.
Our speakers will provide a projector for showing their images, but may not have a screen. They will tell you what equipment you will need to provide at the talk venue. In turn, if your audience has particular requirements please discuss those in good time before the talk.

Our speakers will comply with whatever public health measures are in place at the time of the talk and are happy to discuss your preferences.

Overhead shot showing countryside, gardens, hall, walled garden and tree lined avenue

Discover more at Beningbrough

Find out when Beningbrough is open, how to get here, things to see and do and more.

Plan your visit

A family in winter coats look at a pond bordered by formal stone edging, with clipped hedges and leafless trees behind

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Things to see in the garden at Beningbrough

Discover the formal gardens, walled kitchen garden, herbaceous borders and wildlife areas, each with its own style and beauty. New for 2024 is the Mediterranean Garden, the latest new space designed by Andy Sturgeon. Find out more about this RHS partner garden in Yorkshire.

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Things to see in Beningbrough Hall

Explore what to expect visiting the historic rooms on the ground floor, from feats of engineering, striking architecture and symbolic pieces of the collection marking moments in time. Find out about the current exhibition in the Reddihough Galleries - The Botanicial World of Mary Delany.

Colourful botanical paper cuts of a sunflower and a poppy on a black background

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Art at Beningbrough

Discover more about the Reddihough Galleries on the first floor of Beningbrough Hall. We are currently between exhibitions, see what's coming next and highlights of previous art that has been displayed.

A 1751 painting of a view of the main north front of Beningbrough Hall, seen from ground level and at a slight angle

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The history of Beningbrough

Uncover the history of this enigmatic house, including its early beginnings, a close call with Charles II, romantic love stories and its wartime connections.

Visitors enjoying a hot drink on a winters' day at Quarry Bank, Cheshire

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Eating and shopping at Beningbrough

Choose from a range of tasty snacks and drinks at Beningbrough's two eateries, and find out where to refuel with your dogs. Stop off at the stables shop to find a range of gifts inspired by the places we care for.

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Beningbrough's garden vision

Find out how award-winning landscape and garden designer Andy Sturgeon was appointed by the National Trust to help revitalise the garden at Beningbrough, the work that has already happened, as well as what is planned for the future.

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Explorer Pass

If you're planning a trip in England, Wales and Northern Ireland this year, buy a National Trust Explorer Pass for entry to most of the places in our care. With 4-, 8- and 14-day options available, the pass can be tailored to fit your trip. Discover where you can visit with the Explorer Pass and how to buy yours.