Well-known because the A19 between Selby and York passes straight through it, Escrick's story is an example of a landowning family having to sell the 'big house' as costs rose after the world wars, but retaining their farms. The Thompson family remodelled the village in the 18th century, moving the church, St Helen's, to its present location. It was later inherited by Beilby Lawley, who did not have a son, so the holdings passed in 1920 to the family of his daughter's husband, the Forbes-Adams. The village still has many traces of the Thompson and Lawley eras - they built a fine rectory and a dower house in the 1840s, a police station and court, almshouses and a social club. During World War One, Escrick Hall was used as an officers' hospital, and by the 1920s it was being let out as flats. In 1949, Queen Margaret's School moved into the village, originally occupying the rectory, dower house and hall, which they bought in 1972. The parsonage is now a hotel and the dower house is flats. The Forbes-Adam family still own farms, business units and a holiday park in the area.Well-known because the A19 between Selby and York passes straight through it, Escrick's story is an example of a landowning family having to sell the 'big house' as costs rose after the world wars, but retaining their farms. The Thompson family remodelled the village in the 18th century, moving the church, St Helen's, to its present location. It was later inherited by Beilby Lawley, who did not have a son, so the holdings passed in 1920 to the family of his daughter's husband, the Forbes-Adams. The village still has many traces of the Thompson and Lawley eras - they built a fine rectory and a dower house in the 1840s, a police station and court, almshouses and a social club. During World War One, Escrick Hall was used as an officers' hospital, and by the 1920s it was being let out as flats. In 1949, Queen Margaret's School moved into the village, originally occupying the rectory, dower house and hall, which they bought in 1972. The parsonage is now a hotel and the dower house is flats. The Forbes-Adam family still own farms, business units and a holiday park in the area.
Well-known because the A19 between Selby and York passes straight through it, Escrick's story is an example of a landowning family having to sell the 'big house' as costs rose after the world wars, but retaining their farms. The Thompson family remodelled the village in the 18th century, moving the church, St Helen's, to its present location. It was later inherited by Beilby Lawley, who did not have a son, so the holdings passed in 1920 to the family of his daughter's husband, the Forbes-Adams. The village still has many traces of the Thompson and Lawley eras - they built a fine rectory and a dower house in the 1840s, a police station and court, almshouses and a social club. During World War One, Escrick Hall was used as an officers' hospital, and by the 1920s it was being let out as flats. In 1949, Queen Margaret's School moved into the village, originally occupying the rectory, dower house and hall, which they bought in 1972. The parsonage is now a hotel and the dower house is flats. The Forbes-Adam family still own farms, business units and a holiday park in the area.

Fourteen traditional estate villages in Yorkshire with a fascinating history

Grace Newton
By Grace Newton
Published 27th Dec 2023, 06:00 BST
Last Christmas we compiled a feature on some of Yorkshire’s historic estate villages, some of which are still in the hands of the same families who have owned them for hundreds of years.

We featured well-known villages such as Harewood, Sledmere and Wentworth, all popular with visitors, as well as some lesser-known examples. The article was so popular that we have detailed several more below. Not all are still in the ownership of the original lords of the manor, and in some cases only a few estate properties remain, but all carry signs of their feudal pasts.

To read the original feature click here.

Methley, between Leeds and Wakefield, is an estate village without a seat. In the 1950s, Methley Hall, home of the Savile family, Earls of Mexborough, was demolished due to mining subsidence. The industry was a poisoned chalice, at the Saviles had owned a colliery named after themselves. They retreated to their estate at Hawnby in the North York Moors, but their legacy at Methley lives on. They retained eight tenant farms, one of which is now a Christmas tree business and shop, and a number of residential and commercial properties.

5. Methley

Methley, between Leeds and Wakefield, is an estate village without a seat. In the 1950s, Methley Hall, home of the Savile family, Earls of Mexborough, was demolished due to mining subsidence. The industry was a poisoned chalice, at the Saviles had owned a colliery named after themselves. They retreated to their estate at Hawnby in the North York Moors, but their legacy at Methley lives on. They retained eight tenant farms, one of which is now a Christmas tree business and shop, and a number of residential and commercial properties. Photo: Simon Hulme

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In deepest Swaledale, the name Gunnerside is now synonymous with one of the country's largest game shoots. The village developed around lead mining, but in the early 20th century the owner, Lord Rochdale, encouraged tourism and the area became more prosperous. It later passed to the Earls Peel, who sold the estate, which includes Gunnerside Lodge, to US retail tycoon Robert Miller in the 1990s. There are several listed buildings, including the smithy and schoolmaster's house. Miller's tenant farmers include TV star Amanda Owen at Ravenseat and he owns the ruined Crackpot Hall, one of the Dales' most fascinating relics of the mining industry.

6. Gunnerside

In deepest Swaledale, the name Gunnerside is now synonymous with one of the country's largest game shoots. The village developed around lead mining, but in the early 20th century the owner, Lord Rochdale, encouraged tourism and the area became more prosperous. It later passed to the Earls Peel, who sold the estate, which includes Gunnerside Lodge, to US retail tycoon Robert Miller in the 1990s. There are several listed buildings, including the smithy and schoolmaster's house. Miller's tenant farmers include TV star Amanda Owen at Ravenseat and he owns the ruined Crackpot Hall, one of the Dales' most fascinating relics of the mining industry. Photo: Gary Longbottom

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Heslington, near York, is home to the 16th-century Heslington Hall, which by the 20th century was owned by the Lords Deramore. The Deramore Arms pub is named after them, and the other local inn, The Charles, after one of their racehorses. The barony became extinct upon the death in 2006 of Richard Yarburgh-Bateson, but he had already sold the family seat, lake and park to the Rowntree Trust in the 1950s. The Yarburghs never returned to the hall after World War Two, when it had been occupied by the RAF. The village did not get street lights until the mid-1950s, but has since changed dramatically as the University of York campus was built nearby, encompassing the hall and grounds. One person who saw an opportunity was another Yorkshire aristocrat, Earl Halifax of the Garrowby Estate. He bought over 2,000 acres from Lord Deramore in 1964, originally farming it before gradually releasing the land and leasing it to the university for expansion.

7. Heslington

Heslington, near York, is home to the 16th-century Heslington Hall, which by the 20th century was owned by the Lords Deramore. The Deramore Arms pub is named after them, and the other local inn, The Charles, after one of their racehorses. The barony became extinct upon the death in 2006 of Richard Yarburgh-Bateson, but he had already sold the family seat, lake and park to the Rowntree Trust in the 1950s. The Yarburghs never returned to the hall after World War Two, when it had been occupied by the RAF. The village did not get street lights until the mid-1950s, but has since changed dramatically as the University of York campus was built nearby, encompassing the hall and grounds. One person who saw an opportunity was another Yorkshire aristocrat, Earl Halifax of the Garrowby Estate. He bought over 2,000 acres from Lord Deramore in 1964, originally farming it before gradually releasing the land and leasing it to the university for expansion. Photo: mike cowling

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Drewton is more of a hamlet, the renowned shooting estate near North Cave in the East Riding consisting of the manor house, cottages, farm and outbuildings. The land was historically part of the larger Hotham Hall estate, and in 1958 was purchased by Graham Hellyer, a Hull trawler fleet owner. The original Domesday village was abandoned during the Black Death and never really recovered, with only farmers, gamekeepers and Drewton Manor staff remaining. In 2004, Hellyer put the entire estate up for sale after deciding it could not pass to just one of his three children. There were 10 properties other than the main house, a productive farm and the privilege of driving its entire length without ever going on a public road. The buyers were the Taylor family, West Riding textiles producers, who have renovated the dilapidated buildings and opened a farm shop, wedding venue and holiday cottages.

8. Drewton

Drewton is more of a hamlet, the renowned shooting estate near North Cave in the East Riding consisting of the manor house, cottages, farm and outbuildings. The land was historically part of the larger Hotham Hall estate, and in 1958 was purchased by Graham Hellyer, a Hull trawler fleet owner. The original Domesday village was abandoned during the Black Death and never really recovered, with only farmers, gamekeepers and Drewton Manor staff remaining. In 2004, Hellyer put the entire estate up for sale after deciding it could not pass to just one of his three children. There were 10 properties other than the main house, a productive farm and the privilege of driving its entire length without ever going on a public road. The buyers were the Taylor family, West Riding textiles producers, who have renovated the dilapidated buildings and opened a farm shop, wedding venue and holiday cottages. Photo: Terry Carrott

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