Hall’s visitors head for stately record

About 17 per cent more visitors than last year have already been to Newby Hall, near Boroughbridge – which means the milestone number was reached earlier than expected.

Newby Hall administrator Stuart Gill said: “Last time we reached our 100,000th visitor this early was in our record year of 2003. We have an extra three-day event coming up in early September in the Yorkshire Lifestyle Show so given some good weather, this could be a real record-breaking year for visitor numbers.”

The honour went to regular visitors – the Strangeway family from Farsley in Leeds – who won a season ticket to the hall.

With its immaculate red brick exterior, grand gates and 25 acres of manicured gardens, Newby Hall is one of North Yorkshire’s most popular attractions.

Designed by Sir Christopher Wren, it is one of England’s renowned Adam houses with exceptional examples of 18th century interior decoration.

Willow sculptures by Whitby artist Emma Stothard are also on display in the gardens until next month.

Her works are inspired by the North Yorkshire Moors, surrounding woodlands and the North Sea.