Charlotte Bronte visited Norton Conyers in 1839, when she was much impressed by the family legend of a madwoman who had in the previous century been confined in the attics. When eight years later Charlotte came to write 'Jane Eyre' she remembered this story, and the madwoman of Norton Conyers became, or contributed to, the mad Mrs Rochester. She also used many details from Norton Conyers in her description of Mr Rochester's house, Thornfield Hall. These include the nearby rookery, the sunk fence in front of the house, and a recently discovered staircase connecting the first floor with the attics. In the novel Mr Rochester uses such a staircase as a short cut to visit his made wife.
Norton Conyers is late medieval with Stuart and Georgian additions. It has belonged to the Grahams since 1624. Its pictures, furniture, china and constumes reflect 382 years of occupation by the same family. The pictures include a notable collection of family portraits, covering a period over three centuries from the end of the 16th century to the beginning of the 20th; there is also a celebrated hunting piece by John Ferneley, The Quorn Hunt. In addition to Charlotte Bronte, the house was visited by Charles I and James II; the room and the bed the latter and his wife traditionally used are still to be seen.
The walled garden is five minutes' walk from the house. Laid out in the mid 18th centruy, it retains the essentials of its original design, together with sympathetic planting in the English style. A gravel path, running between herbaceous borders flanked by tall yew hedges, leads up to an orangery (open to visitors), now, as originally, the garden's central feature. A small sales area specialises in unusual hardy plants. Soft fruit is grown; please check beforehand on picking availability.
Norton Conyers is four miles north of Ripon. A visit can be easily included with one to Ripley Castle, Newby Hall or Fountains Abbey.
Please note: Dogs are allowed in the garden and grounds, but must be on a lead. The house is closed during 2008 for major repairs.
Disabled access - the main path is gravelled and runs up a slight slope. The rest of the garden is suitable for disabled access.