Thirsk Hall
{{Short description|Manor house in Thirsk, England}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox building
| name = Thirsk Hall
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| image = Thirsk Hall - geograph.org.uk - 1802531.jpg
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| map_type = North Yorkshire
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| coordinates = {{coord|54|14|03|N|1|20|45|W|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
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| building_type = Manor House
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| location = Kirkgate, Thirsk, North Yorkshire
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| start_date = 1720
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| completion_date = 1723
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| renovation_date = 1770
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| owner = Bell family
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| ren_architect = John Carr
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| website = {{Official URL}}
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| embedded = {{Designation list
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|designation1 = Grade II*
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|designation1_date = 30 April 1952
|designation1_number = 1151319
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Thirsk Hall is a Grade II* listed manor house in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, dating from 1720. The house has been held by the Bell family for {{circa|300}} years, and since 2021 also hosts a sculpture park.
History
File:Thirsk Hall, Kirkgate ^2 - geograph.org.uk - 4221677.jpg]]
In 1722/23 the member of parliament Ralph Bell bought the manor of Thirsk for the sum of £6,300 ({{Inflation|UK|6300|1722|fmt=eq|cursign=£}}) from the 10th Earl of Derby. At the time the hall was constructed it had two storeys and five bays. Bell lived in the then new-built home, Thirsk Hall, located on Kirkgate next to St Marys Church. Following his death in 1733 Bell left his estate to his nephew Ralph Consett, who then changed his surname to Bell. Some years later a descendent, also named Ralph Bell, married Ann Conyers. Conyers, who desired a dining room, financed an extension to the hall in 1770. The Palladian architect John Carr was employed to add a third floor and two wings. The house was furnished by Gillows, and the artist Thomas Gainsborough painted portraits of both Bell and Conyers. The ceiling of the ground floor room in the right wing, designed by Carr, has been described as "very fine".{{NHLE |desc=THIRSK HALL, Thirsk |num=1151319 |access-date=7 April 2024 |archive-date=5 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240205175551/https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1151319?section=official-list-entry |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Johnston |first1=Fiona |title=Inside the 18th-century splendour of Thirsk Hall and its fascinating sculpture garden |url=https://www.houseandgarden.co.uk/gallery/thirsk-hall |access-date=7 April 2024 |work=House & Garden |date=2 November 2022 |archive-date=18 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221118164540/https://www.houseandgarden.co.uk/gallery/thirsk-hall |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=BELL, Ralph (d. 1733), of Sowerby, nr. Thirsk, Yorks. |url=https://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1690-1715/member/bell-ralph-1733 |website=historyofparliamentonline |access-date=7 April 2024 |archive-date=22 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231122070329/https://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1690-1715/member/bell-ralph-1733 |url-status=live }} Thirsk Hall has 20 acres of grounds comprising gardens, parkland, and woodland.{{cite news |last1=Fox |first1=Alexa |title=Sculpture Park opens in the grounds of Thirsk Hall - Darlington and Stockton Times |url=https://www.darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk/news/19355432.sculpture-park-opens-grounds-thirsk-hall/ |access-date=7 April 2024 |work=Darlington and Stockton Times |date=7 June 2021 |archive-date=19 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519031223/https://www.darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk/news/19355432.sculpture-park-opens-grounds-thirsk-hall/ |url-status=live }}
As of 2022 the hall continues to be owned by the Bell family. Daisy Bell, eldest daughter of John Bell, inherited the property after being successful in a card game at aged 11, following her fathers eschewing of primogeniture.
Sculpture Park
In the summer of 2021 the Thirsk Hall Sculpture Park, set in the grounds, was opened to the public. It has showcased the work of both up and coming and established artists, including Michael Lyons and Zak Ové.{{cite news |last1=Scott |first1=Catherine |title=Thirsk Hall Sculpture Park reopens with new exhibitions from top artists |url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/heritage/thirsk-hall-sculpture-park-reopens-with-new-exhibitions-from-top-artists-3737526 |access-date=7 April 2024 |work=Yorkshire Post |date=20 June 2022 |archive-date=24 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220824000141/https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/heritage/thirsk-hall-sculpture-park-reopens-with-new-exhibitions-from-top-artists-3737526 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Fox |first1=Alexa |title=Arts and culture is key for the new owners of Thirsk Hall - The Northern Echo |url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/19528055.arts-culture-key-new-owners-thirsk-hall/ |access-date=7 April 2024 |work=Northern Echo |date=22 August 2021 |archive-date=27 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527050745/https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/19528055.arts-culture-key-new-owners-thirsk-hall/ |url-status=live }} The park had 3,000 visitors in its first year.{{cite news |last1=Fox |first1=Alexa |title=Here's when Thirsk Hall will reopen sculpture exhibit for 2022 |url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/20101281.thirsk-hall-will-reopen-sculpture-exhibit-2022/ |access-date=7 April 2024 |work=Northern Echo |date=29 April 2022 |archive-date=28 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628085509/https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/20101281.thirsk-hall-will-reopen-sculpture-exhibit-2022/ |url-status=live }} In 2023 the park featured the work of stone sculptor Emily Young.{{cite news |title=News in pictures: Saturday April 29, 2023 |url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/photography-culture/article/news-in-pictures-saturday-april-29-2023-6x3xlt9dl |access-date=7 April 2024 |work=Sunday Times |date=29 April 2023 |archive-date=2 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502121055/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/news-in-pictures-saturday-april-29-2023-6x3xlt9dl |url-status=live }} An outbuilding of the hall, named Gallery One, features an indoor art gallery.
See also
- {{ Annotated link | John Bell (Liberal politician)}}
- {{ Annotated link | Yorkshire Sculpture Park}}
- {{ Annotated link | Zillah Bell Contemporary Art}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Commons category-inline|Thirsk Hall}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Grade II* listed buildings in North Yorkshire
Category:Country houses in North Yorkshire
Category:Grade II* listed houses
Category:Houses completed in 1723
Category:Sculpture gardens, trails and parks in the United Kingdom
Category:Art museums and galleries in North Yorkshire
Category:Outdoor sculptures in England