Rare Chance To See 17th-Century Manor House Ruins Open One Day A Year

Rare Chance To See 17th-Century Manor House Ruins Open One Day A Year

One for the Yorkshire history buffs, now. A 17th-century manor house is opening for one day only and you don’t want to miss it. Located in East Yorkshire, the spot opens to the public one day a year and is regularly referred to as one of the first brick buildings in the area.

Open between 10:30am and 3:30pm on Tuesday 1st April 2025, the ruins are a massive part of history and it’s a real treat to be able to see a well kept secret right on our doorstep. You can explore the ruins of the Old Hall, which English Heritage changed its status from Grade II to Grade II* back in 1988. This means it is officially “of more special interest”, something that only 5% of the country’s listed buildings fall into. Rare indeed.

Elmswell Old Hall Driffield
Credit: East Riding Of Yorkshire Council

The Manor House was built and owned by Henry Best in around 1634, but parts of the Elmswell country estate can be traced back to William the Conqueror himself.

It’s pretty easy to find with road signs displaying directions and parking on site. You can access the ruins from the car park via a narrow, rutted track that may not be suitable for people with mobility issues.

Councillor Barbara Jefferson, East Riding of Yorkshire council cabinet member for Heritage and Coastal, said: “This is a rare opportunity for residents and visitors to see one of East Yorkshire’s hidden gems. I recommend residents to find out more about their local history at the open day this year.”

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Feature Image Credit: East Riding Of Yorkshire Council