History Group

HUNMANBY HALL – At the March meeting of Hunmanby Local History Group, due to the illness of the scheduled speaker, Dr George Sheeran gave a talk on Hunmanby Hall: Past, Present and Future.

Members learned that Hun man by Hall is within the site of the original medieval castle, as documents mention Castle Garth house or hall.

During the 16th century the manor was taken into royal ownership and by the 1620s Sir Richard Osbaldeston owned the site. The main house, which is similar in style to nearby Buck ton Hall, was rebuilt around 1720, although it probably incorporated an earlier building.

The formal gardens were redesigned in the 19th century with a ha-ha near the house, a woodland walk to a summerhouse with sea view, a gothic gatehouse, a round lodge, an ice house and kitchen gardens.

It was a private estate but was host to public functions, such as cricket matches. The estate was entailed on male heirs and after Admiral Mitford’s death in 1870, the house was tenanted and then bought and extended for a Methodist girls school, completed in 1932. When the roll dropped to less than 200 the school was closed in 1991.

It was subsequently put up for sale with proposals variously for government offices, a medical school and even demolition. It was finally sold and converted into apartments. The grounds operated as a golf course, but the recent sale of the park leaves its future uncertain.

The next meeting of the group will be held on Saturday, April 20, when Catherine Welch will lead a guided walk entitled Shipwrecks in Filey Bay along the promenade, starting from the seaward end of Coble Landing at 10am.

The next winter season of meetings and talks will begin in October. For further informationaboutthegroup’sactivities and to become a member, contact 07771 903 293.