Civil Society- Elmswell Old Hall
Bridlington and District Civic Society
Elmswell Hall opens to the general public for one day only in the year.
Tuesday April 1st 2025 10.30am – 3.30pm. No charge
We feel that this controlled ruin is of historic importance and should not be ignored and forgotten.
It is to be hoped that as many people can get to know about this once-a-year open day as possible and are able to visit. Strong footwear is advisable at this time of year.
How to get to Elmswell Old Hall
Elmswell Old Hall Post Code YO25 3EL.
From Driffield take the A166 to York.
All the turnings are on your left:
- 1st turning to Little Driffield
- 2nd turning exit from Little Driffield
- 3rd turning to the Elmswell estate is by a hedge, and marked by a minor road triangle and a speed camera sign.
Historical facts
Facts extracted from the web.
English: Elmswell Old Hall, Elmswell, East Riding of Yorkshire, England.
West of Great Driffield, east of Garton on the Wolds. Grade II*, Brick-built in 1630s, a now utterly neglected and at risk farmhouse, of historic importance as here, Henry Best wrote his Farming and Memorandum Books of Elmswell in 1642.
In the post medieval period c 1500 – 1700 the estate reverted to the crown, was sold to Thomas Crompton who in turn sold it to Henry Best in 1597 for £ 2000. Subsequently he sold it to his brother James, through whose family it passed until 1844. Henry Bests writings in Bests Book of Farming give an insight into farming in the 17th century and it is here that he makes reference to arranging for 400 000 bricks to be fired, presumably in Brick Close just north of the A166. The construction of two halls at Elmswell, known as the east and west halls in 1635 and 1640 are perhaps the most permanent reminder of Best. Today the east hall, known as Elmswell Old Hall, is a controlled ruin.
View the entry for Elmswell Old Hall on the National Heritage List for England:
