Family opens its stately home

The Duchess of Kent was brought up at Hovingham Hall

A stately home in North Yorkshire its opening its doors to the public for the first time.

Hovingham Hall in Ryedale is owned by the Worsley family who want to raise money for refurbishment work.

The Worsleys bought the manor of Hovingham in 1563 and built the hall in the 1750s.

Thomas Worlsey, who was responsible for its design, was obsessed with horses and the house is entered through a riding school.

Cricket team

Cricket has been played in front of the house since at least 1858 and the pitch has been played on by many distinguished players including Sir Len Hutton and Freddie Trueman.

It is still the home of the Hovingham village cricket team.

In 1961, Katherine Worlsey, who was brought up at Hovingham Hall, married the Duke of Kent in York Minster.

The reception at Hovingham was attended by many European kings and queens.

The present William Worsley has decided to open the doors to raise funds to refurbish the Ionic Room which was last redecorated in 1927.

The house and gardens are open every afternoon from Monday to Saturday throughout June.