Edmund Sheffield bought the Normanby estate around 1590 and his family have had a house on this site ever since.
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.
In the 1820s Sir Robert Sheffield decided to demolish the existing house at Normanby and build the house that welcomes visitors today. The house was designed by Sir Robert Smirke and was built between 1825 and 1830.
The house was extended and altered to designs by Walter Brierley between 1906 and 1908 to complete the grand house which acts as a focus to the whole park.
Tour of the house
Visitors enter the house through the same doors the Sheffield family’s guests used when visiting Normanby. Our staff wear Victorian servants’ costumes to welcome visitors to the house.
The ground floor rooms were designed to entertain and impress the Sheffield family’s guests. People from all over the world now visit the rooms. The drawing rooms, dining room and library are furnished with fine furniture and paintings.
Ascending the imposing imperial staircase, visitors can see the nursery, bedroom and Edwardian bathroom.
The first floor also houses the costume galleries where some of the 5,000 pieces in the North Lincolnshire Museums Service Collection are displayed. In 2004, to mark the Royal Horticultural Society Year of the Garden, the annual exhibition is ‘Floral Fashions’. It shows some of the ways in which gardens and nature have influenced fashion.
Visiting Normanby Hall
The Hall is open to visitors every afternoon from 1pm to 5pm during our summer season. We are happy to accept pre-booked groups outside these times and during the winter season. We can also come and speak to your group. Please call 01724 720588 for details.
Special events are held throughout the year in the hall. These include tours, talks and family events like Victorian Day when visitors can return to the 1890s.
Younger visitors are welcomed to the house with special children’s events and trails they can follow.
The ground floor is accessible to all visitors.
Functions
The function suite in the hall is available for weddings, parties and business functions. Why not impress your guests by entertaining them in your 'own' stately home for the day.
The Sheffield family
The Sheffield family’s main residence is now at Sutton Park near York.