Normanby Hall Museum and Country Park
Set in the heart of undiscovered North Lincolnshire, the 300 acres of Normanby Hall Museum and Country Park provides the perfect day out for all the family.Return to the elegance of a more leisurely era in the beautiful Regency Hall and learn about Lincolnshire's rich rural heritage in the fascinating Farm Museum. Step back in time in the award winning Victorian Walled Garden and stroll through the beautiful Pleasure Grounds with their stunning herbaceous borders.
There are self-guided nature trails which allow visitors to enjoy the park throughout its constantly changing seasons. Younger children will enjoy watching the ducks and peacocks or playing in the adventure playground. On most Sundays throughout the open season they can ride on the newly extended miniature railway, or take part in a free Crafty Kids workshop in the Farm Museum. There are also special children's events throughout the year.
Normanby Hall Museum and Country Park is the ideal place for a short break. Caravan site is in a beautifully secluded location at the south end of the park, with fresh water supply and chemical disposal point. In addition, new five-van touring site is now open during the summer season.
The Sheffield family has lived at Normanby for over 400 years. In the 18th Century John Sheffield became Duke of Buckingham and Normanby and built a fine mansion, Buckingham House, in London. His son sold the house to George III, it is now known as Buckingham Palace.
The secret garden
The secret garden is a quiet, sun-drenched enclosed garden next to the walled garden. It is made up of four huge herbaceous borders planned to give interest throughout the year. The borders are colour-themed on the principles of the great Victorian gardener Gertrude Jekyll. They start with whites and pale blues at one end, build up to a crescendo of brilliant scarlet and flaming orange in the centre and gradually return to quieter colours at the other end.
Here you'll find unusual treasures like the striking Lobelia tupa and the lovely Nepeta subsessilis, among many others. The garden is at its best between April/May and the end of October, although there is some interest over the winter months.
The wall that forms the backdrop to the secret garden supports a range of uncommon shrubs and climbers, including Ercilla volubilis, Elsholtzia stauntonii and Ribes speciosum.
THE GARDENGS:
The Sunken Garden:
The sunken garden, on the west side of the hall is walled in Ancaster limestone. It is a peaceful rectangular space with a formal pool at its centre. Like the secret garden, this too is colour-themed, this time in soft pastels - greys, pinks, blues and whites - to complement the colour of the stone. In the formal pool, the pink waterlily, 'Escarboucle' continues the theme.
The garden is hedged on three sides with lavender - an amazing sight and smell in midsummer, and on one side by the fragrant, deep crimson rose, 'Roseraie de l' Hay'.
Beyond the sunken garden there are six beds, planted with summer bedding . Nearby is the box-edged boars head parterre, planted to reflect the Sheffield family's ownership of Normanby. The boars head forms part of the Sheffield coat of arms.
The Sshrub Border:
The border flanking the main drive to the hall is planted purely with shrubs and bulbs - a lovely sight in spring. Against a background of good evergreens, the shrubs here, many of them very uncommon, form an ever-changing display throughout the seasons. In early spring, the sugar-pink flowers of the Judas Tree, Cercis siliquastrum, are a striking sight. Later, the white flower bracts of Cornus kousa var. chinensis and Viburnum plicatum 'Mariesii' take centre stage. The curious Bupleurum fruticosum and the rare Trochodendron aralioides are just two of the unusual shrubs planted here.
The Christmas Garden:
On the east side of the Victorian walled garden, the Christmas garden is a totally unique area, planned to be at its best in winter. It is planted with species associated with Christmas. There is a good collection of holly and ivy here, along with plants like the Christmas fern and winter bulbs. Opened by the Queen on her visit here in July 2003, this garden is a developing area, and in spite of its name is a lovely place to be at any time of year.
The Woodland Garden:
A developing area behind the duckponds, the woodland garden is planted with shade-loving shurbs and perennials like camellias, Enkianthus campanulatus, Hostas and Foxgloves. It is at its best from April to June, and again in autumn as the trees put on their fine seasonal display.
The Butterfly Border:
This border, situated on the edge of the Deerpark has been planted to attract butterflies and bees. Backed by a range of Buddleia species and varieties it also includes Michealmas Daisies and Lobelia tupa.
VISITORS INFORMATION:
Visiting Normanby Hall:
The Hall is open to visitors every afternoon from 1pm to 5pm during our summer season.
Address:
North Lincolnshire Council
Pittwood House
Ashby Road
Scunthorpe
North Lincolnshire
DN16 1AB