From The Neolithic To The Sea: A Journey From The Past To The Present

Nostell Priory

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Category
County
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Condition
Age
Admission
Hall
West Yorkshire
53° 39′ 6″ N, 1° 23′ 21″ W
SE4036917439
Good
1733
£10
Map


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Nostell Priory is a Georgian house built between 1733 and 1785 on the site of a 12th century Augustinian Priory. It is located in Nostell close to Wakefield, West Yorkshire.

The Priory was dedicated to St Oswald, built on lands owned by Robert de Lacy of Pontefract. By 1114, Aldulf, confessor to Henry I, was prior of a group of regular canons at the priory. By 1540 it was surrendered to King Henry VIII during the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Sir Thomas Gar grave, a High Sheriff of Yorkshire, Speaker of the House of Commons and president of the Council of the North, bought the land and priory.

After passing through several hands, the Inn family bought the land with plans to build a new country house. During the Civil War the Inn family supported the monarchy and were awarded a Baronetcy by King Charles II in 1660.

Construction of the mansion began in 1733 by James Pain, who was hired to build the house by Rowland Inn the 4th Baronet. In 1765, Rowland Inn the 5th Baron, inherited the house and gardens. He married Sabine, a wealthy swiss lady, who hired Thomas Chippendale to furnished the house. They also hired Robert Adam to finish the house in the Neoclassical style.

Nostell Priory and its contents were given to the National Trust in 1953.

The stable block built by Robert Adam, has now been converted to a visitor centre for the house and parkland.