Join Cambridge Society of North and West Yorkshire for a private tour of this 17^th century manor house, a house that inspired Jane Eyre. 

The eight year restoration project won The Historic Houses Association & Sotheby’s Restoration Award 2014.  The work uncovered fascinating layers of history, giving new life to the house. More information about Norton Conyers can be found on their website here.

There are two tours available to guests: 

The Past, Present and Discoveries Tour

This includes the main rooms and bedrooms, with their pictures and furniture, and the many discoveries that have been made in the past 8 years. 

The Connoisseur’s Tour

This includes a visit to the attics, which are rarely shown to visitors. In the furthest corner of these attics is our Mad Woman’s Room.  When Charlotte Bronte visited in 1839 she heard the story attached to this room and our Mad Woman became, or contributed to, her mad Mrs Rochester. (In addition she used many features of Norton Conyers, both internal and external, when describing Mr Rochester’s Thornfield Hall). 

There are about 68 steps up to the attics. The Mad Woman’s Room is reached across two slightly uneven lime screed floors. Visitors are taken to the attics only in small groups. Those who cannot manage the stairs will be looked after downstairs and shown things which the main group will probably not have time to see.

We would also be able to visit the romantic mid-18^th century walled garden.

The charge for the Connoisseur’s Tour is £25 per head, and £20 per head for the Past, Present and Discoveries tour.  This is payable on the day.  

There will also be lunch at a nearby pub before the tour, details will be given to those who book. 

Meet for lunch from 12pm, with the tour starting at 2pm.