Busby Hall

Busby Hall has been in the possession of the Marwood family since 1587. The current building was constructed in 1764 after a devastating fire destroyed a much earlier building. It is known that plans for a grander building were prepared by the preeminent neo-classical architect John Carr of York but were later abandoned. The constructed design was by Robert Corney. It has been remarked that the design of the house appears to be earlier in style than was typical for the time, but the reason for this or why the plans of a more fashionable architect were not used is not clear. The house sits in the centre of a 700-acre parkland with a number of other listed buildings. These include the Grade…

The Marwoods had held lands in this part of North Yorkshire for a number of years by the time Busby Hall became their principle seat in the 16th Century. They were granted the hereditary title of Baronet of Little Busby in 1660. The Marwood family descended from Edward III of England and are related, through marriage, to many prominent aristocratic families including the Lascelles, Wentworths, Van Straubenzees and the Earls of Holderness. Notable family members included Sir George Marwood and Sir Henry Marwood who both respectively served as High Sheriffs of Yorkshire and Members of Parliament for Northallerton. Arthur Pierson Marwood, a friend of Ford Madox Ford, is likely to be the…