Hovingham Hall Facts for Kids

Hovingham Hall, 2006

Hovingham Hall is a grand country house located in the village of Hovingham, in North Yorkshire, England. It's built in a special style called Palladian, which was popular in the 1700s. For centuries, it has been the home of the Worsley family. It's also famous for being the childhood home of Katharine, Duchess of Kent, a member of the British Royal Family. The house was built in the 1700s, but the Worsley family has lived on this land since the 1500s!

History of Hovingham Hall
Architecture and Design
See also

History of Hovingham Hall

The Worsley family first bought the land where Hovingham Hall stands in 1563. This means they have owned the property for a very long time!

Building the Hall

The Hovingham Hall you see today was built between 1750 and 1774. It was designed by a man named Thomas Worsley VI (1710–1778). He was a very important person, working as the Surveyor-General for King George III. This job meant he was in charge of royal buildings. What's unusual about Hovingham Hall is that it was built around an existing stable block. This old stable block now forms the main entrance to the house! Thomas Worsley even taught King George III how to ride horses in the riding school that was once part of this stable. Thomas Worsley was also a Member of Parliament (MP) for different areas in England during his life.

Cricket and Famous Residents

In front of Hovingham Hall, there is a cricket pitch. Many people believe it might be the oldest private cricket pitch in all of England! Cricket has been a big part of the Worsley family's history. For example, Colonel Sir William Worsley, 4th Baronet, who lived at the hall, was the captain of the Yorkshire County Cricket Club in 1928 and 1929. He also held an important role as the Lord Lieutenant of the North Riding of Yorkshire.

His son, Sir Marcus Worsley, 5th Baronet (1925–2012), also lived at Hovingham Hall. He was also a Member of Parliament for different areas and later became the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire. Sir Marcus Worsley's younger sister is Katharine Lucy Mary Worsley, who later became The Duchess of Kent. She grew up at Hovingham Hall.

The Hovingham Festival

A special event called the Hovingham Festival was started in 1887. It was held in the riding school at Hovingham Hall. This festival was a celebration of music and arts. It took place 13 times until 1906. After many years, the festival was brought back in the 1950s.

Hovingham Hall Today

Today, Hovingham Hall is lived in by Sir William Worsley, 6th Baronet, who is the eldest son of the 5th Baronet, and his wife, Marie-Noëlle. The house and its beautiful gardens are sometimes open to the public. Usually, visitors can explore them for about four weeks in June each year.

Architecture and Design

Hovingham Hall is built in the Palladian style. This style is inspired by the ancient Roman and Greek buildings, focusing on balance and grand designs. The house is made from a type of stone called limestone ashlar, and its roofs are covered with Westmoreland slate. It has an L-shaped design.

The hall is considered a very important historical building. It is a Grade I listed building on the National Heritage List for England. This means it has special historical or architectural importance. Other parts of the property are also listed, but at Grade II. These include a small temple, a decorative bridge over a waterfall, a wall to the north and east of the hall, and a pigeoncote (a building for pigeons).

Hovingham Hall facts for kids

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