Events

Our 2011 Privilege Visit was to

Nostell Priory

Built on the site of a medieval priory for the Winn family from 1733 onwards, Nostell Priory is today a National Trust property.

The Priory was a twelfth-century Augustinian foundation, dedicated to St Oswald, supported initially by Robert de Lacy of Pontefract, and Thurstan of York. By about 1114, Aldulf, confessor to Henry I of England, was prior of a group of regular canons at Nostell. As part of the dissolution of the monasteries, the priory was shut down in 1540. After the dissolution the lands of the priory came into the posession of Sir Thomas Gargrave, a High Sheriff of Yorkshire, Speaker of the House of Commons and president of the Council of the North.

Nostell Priory occupies 300 acres of parkland. Within the grounds and gardens of Nostell Priory are lakeside walks with a collection ofrhododendrons and azaleas. The main frontage of the house is east facing towards a long grass vista. Leading down to the lake on the west side of the house is the West Lawn. The parkland includes lakeside and woodland walks, views of the Druid’s bridge and walks to the restored Obelisk Lodge through wildflower meadows. The park was purchased from Lord St Oswald by the National Trust with funding from the Heritage Lottery fund. This grant also enabled the trust to acquire pictures, books, and furniture from the family.