Goldsborough
Hall

At Goldsborough Hall, it is often the smaller details that bring the royal story closest.

This Jacobean house near Knaresborough became the home of Princess Mary, great-aunt of the current King, Charles III, following her marriage to Viscount Lascelles in 1922. The daughter of King George V and Queen Mary, and sister of George VI, she raised her young family here, welcomed royal relatives and devoted herself to the gardens.

Goldsborough was the setting for a life beyond court: marriage, children, family visits and the seasonal rhythms of a Yorkshire country home. A century later, those connections remain woven into the house and grounds.

Highwayman Tours offers a specially arranged tour of Goldsborough Hall as part of your own personalised Yorkshire day.

With a guide bringing its history to life, discover the people who shaped the house across four centuries and the royal chapter that made it particularly distinctive. Architecture and family history come together, revealing how the Hall has adapted to the lives lived within it.

Today, Goldsborough remains a family home. Mark and Clare Oglesby acquired the property in 2005 and undertook an extensive restoration of the house and grounds. Their work has given it renewed purpose, allowing guests to enjoy its surroundings while helping sustain its future.

That continuing care is part of the pleasure of visiting: the chance to appreciate a historic house whose story is still unfolding.

Outside, twelve acres of gardens and grounds carry the story into the landscape.

Herbaceous borders, woodland paths, a kitchen garden and glasshouse reward an unhurried look, with the character of the gardens changing through the seasons. Along the historic Lime Tree Walk, trees planted by King George V and Queen Mary remain a living record of royal visits in the 1920s.

Beside the grounds stands the medieval church of St Mary’s. Its private royal entrance, known as Princess Mary’s Gate, was used by the princess during her years at Goldsborough.

It is an especially evocative connection. Beyond the titles and formal portraits, here is a familiar journey from home to church, preserved in the fabric of the village.

Afternoon tea is available as an optional addition, offering time to enjoy the Hall’s hospitality after discovering its history.

Settle in, continue the conversation and let the visit unfold at a more leisurely pace. Whether you are celebrating an occasion or simply enjoying a day away from your usual routine, it makes a lovely addition.

Alternatively, lunch in the Orangery can be arranged for those who would prefer a meal. We will shape the timing of your day around your choice.

For guests drawn to the royal story, one particularly rewarding option is to continue to Harewood House afterwards.

Following her husband’s inheritance of the title of Earl of Harewood, Princess Mary and her family moved from Goldsborough to Harewood, where she spent much of her later life.

Together, the two houses tell a connected story: Goldsborough as the couple’s first family home, Harewood as the great estate at the centre of their later years. Visiting both gives the day a natural progression, following the princess’s life through two remarkable Yorkshire settings.

A visit to Harewood can be incorporated subject to opening dates and availability. We will consider the time needed at each house alongside your preferred dining arrangements, ensuring the day remains comfortably paced.

Your day with Highwayman Tours is exclusively for your group of up to four guests, with comfortable private transport and your local Yorkshire driver-guide throughout.

Collection and return from your York accommodation are included. Pick-ups elsewhere, including Harrogate and Leeds, are available by arrangement.

You might follow the royal connection to Harewood, spend time in nearby Knaresborough or explore more of the surrounding countryside. We begin with what interests you, then take care of the details that bring the day together.