Mulgrave Estate

Across the Mulgrave Estate we have been working with Natural England and the North York Moors National Park Authority to restore the ancient hedgerow network in specific targetted areas. One such area is in the Kettleness landscape out on the coast. A location with little tree or hedgerow cover, it has been a real challenge to restore the old network of field boundary hedges here. The majority of the old hedges date back to the 1850’s and have become weathered and stunted with only a few remnant stems visible in certain places.

Lord & Lady Normanby are delighted to allow public access to the Mulgrave Gardens. Each Open Garden date is hosted by different organisation in aid of a local charity. Well behaved dogs are allowed access but must be kept on leads.

The dates for 2022 are:

10th April - Whitby Fishermans FC - Juniors

29th May - Sport Mulgrave

26th June - Lythe Parochial Church

10th July - Lord & Lady Normanby, fund raiser for Ukraine

24th July - Whitby Regatta

28th August - Lythe Village Hall

Mulgrave is a large and diverse landed Estate located on the North Yorkshire Coast, in the North York Moors National Park. The Estate extends to some 15,000 acres, including 2,500 acres of Forestry, a large in-hand farm and a Registered Park and Garden around Mulgrave Castle, which is the seat of the Marquis of Normanby. As a private house, Mulgrave Castle is at the centre of a vibrant and evolving Estate and is proud of its role in the local area and community. The following full time positions are currently available: Chauffeur & driver, Assistant Live In Housekeeper, General Builder Full details on the roles and how to apply are on our webpage 

Welcome to our first blog from our Wildlife Manager, Steve, who will be providing updates throughout the year on the wildlife, countryside and his role on the Estate. “Birds are feeding heavily in preparation for the coming nesting season. The Estate has a number of wild bird crops dotted around the Estate which provide a valuable food source at this time of year with additional feeding of wheat and barley from our harvested crops.
Owl & Kestrel populations are thriving, naturally managing the mice and voles populations assisted by other resident birds of prey.” Photos used have all been taken on the Estate, courtesy of the Estate Wildlife Photographer.

The traditional boundaries along the field edges at Murkside Farm, Egton have been the subject of a major restoration programme over the last 2 years. A number of contractors have worked extremely hard to give these important landscape features a facelift. Over 2000m of drystone wall have been restored and topwired to ensure they remain stockproof into the future. The final boundary hedge is being restored this week and will complete a monumental task which enhances the historic, landscape and biodiversity qualities of the area. The restoration works have received part financial assistance from our Countryside Stewardship programme.

We have recently installed a number of new information panels across the Estate explaining about features of interest. New panels have gone in at Sandsend quarry, Foss Castle and Mulgrave Castle and makes up part of our extensive Countryside Stewardship scheme that we have developed over the last few years with Natural England.

The Estate is pleased to announce an Estate team have signed up to take part in the “Walk 30 miles in September for Dementia UK.” As part of this challenge they will be walking 20 miles on the 18th September starting from Osmotherley along the Lyke Wake Walk and finishing at Blakey Ridge. Dementia Uk is a cause close to many peoples hearts and any support would be much appreciated. To support Ian, Amanda, John, Robert & Liz donations may be made via our Just Giving Page https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mulgrave-castle

In September our Estates Director, Robert Childerhouse, and our Maintenance Manager, Clive Tomlinson, have challenged themselves to walk the 84-mile length of Hadrian’s Wall over 3 days. The challenge, which is in aid of Saint Catherine’s Hospice, will start in Bowness on Solway in Cumbria and finish at Wallsend in Newcastle. Saint Catherine’s provide care and support at home and in the hospice for adults with a terminal illness, and to their families, and friends. Although the hospice is Scarborough-based, they provide care throughout 1,600 square miles of North and East Yorkshire, allowing a patient to remain as active as possible and make the most of every day. If you would like to sponsor Robert & Clive and help raise much needed funds for this valued charity, please visit our JustGiving page at

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/robertandclivedohadrianswall84milewalk

Our resident Exmoor Ponies are on the move again around the Estate. We recently rehoused them at Sandsend Quarry to graze the coastal slope grassland. The grasslands here are becoming choked by gorse, bramble and rank grasses so the Exmoor’s are the ideal tool to combat this and get the flower and herb rich sward back into condition. The quarry is open to the public but please observe the signs on the gates and be responsible around the livestock. As we move the Exmoor’s around the various conservation grazing sites we are looking for volunteer pony checkers to keep an eye on them on a day to day basis and report any problems. If you walk to the quarry regularly and would like to volunteer for this do get in touch with john.beech@mulgrave.net

Quarry fencing underway at Deepgrove. Our contractors have made good progress recently with the new stock fencing that is being installed at Deepgrove Quarry, Sandsend. Around a mile of fencing around the boundaries of the quarry will allow for the introduction of conservation grazing with suitable livestock. This will prevent the area being swamped by gorse, bramble and rough grasses and enable the herb rich grassland underneath to flourish. Panels are to be placed on site as well to tell the story of this fascinating part of the Estate, it’s history, wildlife and connections with the local community at Sandsend