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The
story of Duncombe Park is a story of the ''reclamation''
of a great house from a long period of institutional use.
It is the largest project of its kind ever undertaken.
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The Great House at Duncombe
Park was completed in 1713 and enjoys stunning
views of the grounds. |
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The
majority of the funding has come from the Duncombe family,
with grant aid for re-roofing from English Heritage, contributions
to the establishment of a parkland centre and country walks
from the Countryside Commission and landscape planting funding
from the North York Moors National Park.
The
Duncombe family connection with Helmsley dates from 1689
when London goldsmith Sir Charles Duncombe purchased the
Helmsley Estate from the Trustees of profligate court favourite
Duke of Buckingham. The purchase price of £90,000 was
said to be the largest ever purchase made by a ''commoner''.
Sir
Charles Duncombe's new Baroque mansion was completed in 1713
on a virgin plateau overlooking Helmsley Castle and the valley
of the River Rye, and his nephew Thomas was the first occupant.
Following
a major fire in 1879 the house was rebuilt with care and
superb workmanship, largely to the original design.
After
the death of the 2nd Earl of Feversham in World War 1, when
his ten year old son Charles inherited the title, the house
was let as a girls' boarding school for 60 years.
Since
1986 Lord and Lady Feversham have undertaken extensive restoration
of the buildings and interiors, employing the finest craftsmen
to create a home here again for their family, direct descendants
of Thomas Duncombe. They are the first to admit that many
thought them mad to do so - not many people in the late 20th
century opt to take on the challenge of living in a 200 room
house! Today visitors comment on the 'grand yet homely' atmosphere.
The family pictures and Lord Feversham's collection of English
and Continental furniture are on show and the principal rooms
remain a fine example of the type of 'grand interior' popular
at the turn of the century. |
