Press Release - 20th April 2020

Country retreat in rural North offers a place of tranquility and healing to key workers once the lockdown is lifted. and Gardens seek nominations for key workplaces to receive Annual Garden Pass tickets for staff so they can visit for free once attractions are allowed to open again. Kiplin Hall and Gardens is a 400-year-old Jacobean house, now a museum, surrounded by stunning grounds including lakeside walks, woodland paths, and a productive walled garden. Often described by visitors as the most tranquil place in it is famed for its spectacular snowdrops in early spring, its bountiful walled garden growing fruits and vegetables in the summer, and cascades of fall colour reflected on the large fishing lake in the autumn.

Director of Kiplin Hall and Gardens, James Etherington, explains how they hope to help: “We can all see how hard key staff are working right now. At Kiplin we want to do what we can to help. We aren’t in a position to make ventilators or protective equipment, but we can make our healing spaces available to key workers for free, as soon as we are allowed. Kiplin has been a place of solace in the past, and we will be here to offer people a tranquil space once this initial crisis has passed. In 1940 men evacuated from Dunkirk arrived at the house for rest and recovery.” Miss Bridget Talbot, the last owner of Kiplin Hall credited with saving it for the nation, wrote a moving account of the Dunkirk arrival in 1940 that she circulated to newspapers: “After Dunkirk a regiment was given a rendezvous at the house; all day and all night straggling and exhausted men arrived. The owner did everything that was possible in the way of collecting food, blankets and cushions and by three the next afternoon every floor was covered with men sleeping as if dead. It was a sight never to be forgotten with the hot sun streaming in at the windows on to the pictures, old furniture, the walls of books and the floor a silent carpet of prostrate khaki figures. With the help of a little gardening, bathing in the river and sleeping these Dunkirk men gradually recovered from their weariness and mended their shattered nerves.” Kiplin welcomes nominations from or for anyone providing a key service, for example; hospitals, post offices, delivery companies, schools, waste collection services, food shops etc. The Annual Garden Pass will cover whatever remains of the 2020 season once the lockdown is lifted and the 2021 open season. Kiplin Hall and Gardens is located between Richmond and Northallerton. It is a wonderful day trip destination, within easy reach of towns and cities in the North of and in North Yorkshire. Just 14 miles from Darlington, 27 miles from Middlesbrough, and 35 miles from Durham to the North. Only 16 miles from Thirsk, 32 miles from Harrogate, and 39 miles from York to the south. Of course, any future visits to Kiplin will be subject to the lifting of the lockdown and in line with any social distancing that may be required at the time. To make a nomination or register your interest please follow Kiplin Hall on Facebook or contact [email protected] . More information about Kiplin Hall and Gardens can be found online at www.kiplinhall.co.uk. Online you will find a virtual touch screen tour of the hall, video-guided tours on YouTube with Dawn Webster, historical research into family trees, as well as recipes from the tea room and updates during the lockdown on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages. Image Captions 1. Kiplin Hall sits within 90 acres of parkland, a green and pleasant land! 2. The walled garden in full bloom provides ample fruits and vegetables to use in the homely recipes served in the atmospheric Tea Room 3. Once the lockdown is lifted we can once again enjoy family picnics surrounded by woodland in the tranquil grounds of Kiplin Hall. 4. Dramatic 400 year old Kiplin Hall viewed across the fishing lake. Visitors will again enjoy a circular lakeside path taking in vistas of the house and surrounding countryside. This route is known for its rare and beautiful wildflowers. 5. Kiplin Hall and Gardens, showing its colours and gratitude to Key Workers

Notes • Contact: Samantha Jennings (Marketing and Communications Officer) 07811190193 [email protected] • Video Guided Tours https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkYGopdin13k3TWghBFuZNlyTwd-Oq5XD

• Virtual Touch Screen Tour https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=Xy8Hs66c4CK • Kiplin Family Trees http://history.kiplinhall.co.uk/ • Kiplin Hall and Gardens is currently closed during the government lockdown as part of the response to the COVID-19 outbreak. • Normal open hours are as follows, and may resume, with some changes, once the lockdown is lifted. The most up to date information on opening hours can be found on our website or social media channels. • Normal Opening Times - 10am - 5pm (Closed Thursdays) until the end of the season on Sunday 1 November 2020. • Kiplin Hall and Gardens, Near Scorton, Richmond, North Yorkshire, DL10 6AT www.kiplinhall.co.uk • Kiplin Hall is an historic house museum set in 100 acres of grounds; the visitor attraction enjoys a peaceful location between Northallerton and Richmond with grounds comprising of woodland, parkland, a walled garden, lake side paths, and lawns. • TEA ROOM - free entry. Enjoy homemade seasonal specialities in the company of Kiplin’s ancestor’s (immortalised in oil paintings on the walls) in Kiplin’s wonderful wood paneled Tea Room. • Entry to Hall, Gardens and Grounds ticket - £10.50 adults, £9.50 conc, £5.50 child, under 5’s free. £28.00 Family ticket. Seasonal passes are available.