The landed gentry certainly knew how to live.

Vast stately homes and tracts of land occupy large portions of our countryside and, despite what you may think of their ’sort’, what remains is a real treasure trove of architectural heritage and reminders of how people used to live.

Thanks to organisations like the National Trust, English Heritage, Historic Houses and various private and council-run sites, we can still visit many of these homes today.

Some are open year-round and have been turned into major tourist attractions. Others are still private homes and only open their doors or gardens for part of the year. Still others have been turned into hotels.

Here are the stately homes you can visit in and around Teesside:

Preston Hall

Built in 1825 (the same year the Stocktin & Darlington Railway passed through the grounds), Preston Hall in Eaglescliffe is today known as the centrepiece of Preston Park.

It is a popular museum telling the history of Stockton, with its Victorian Street showing off various shops and businesses as they would have been seen in Teesside’s past.

The hall was built by David Burton Fowler, who lived there until he sold it in 1882 to shipping magnate Robert Ropner. Under his guidance the hall was expanded, with the large conservatory added in 1900.

The Victorian Street at Preston Hall Museum

The Ropners vacated the house prior to World War II, and in 1947 Stockton Council acquired it for office use, before turning it into a museum 1953.

Ormesby Hall

Ormesby Hall, a stately home on the outskirts of Middlesbrough. It was the home of the Pennyman family, who owned the estate for over 400 years.

Built in the 17th century, with expansions and Georgian updates added in the 18th century, it reflects a mix of architectural styles that evolved over generations. The hall, surrounded by beautiful gardens and parkland, served as the Pennyman family residence and a symbol of local heritage.

During World War II, the house was used by the army. Later, the National Trust acquired the property in 1983, following the death of the last Pennyman heir.

Today, Ormesby Hall is open to the public, offering visitors a glimpse into historic Teesside aristocratic life. Inside, period rooms and a model railway display are highlights, while outside, the grounds are popular for walks. Ormesby Hall serves as a cultural landmark, preserving the Pennyman legacy and providing a fascinating window into Teesside’s stately past.

Crathorne Hall

Crathorne Hall, a grand Edwardian mansion near Yarm, stands as one of Teesside’s most opulent stately homes. Built in 1906 for Sir Hugh Bell, a prominent industrialist and father of explorer Gertrude Bell, the hall reflects a combination of Arts and Crafts and Classical Revival styles.

Designed by architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, it was originally intended as a luxurious country retreat for the Bell family and their influential guests, many of whom were prominent figures in British society and politics.

The house remained in the Bell family until the early 1970s, after which it was sold and later transformed into a luxury hotel. Today, Crathorne Hall operates as both a hotel and event venue, but it still retains much of its original charm, with richly decorated interiors, period furnishings, and manicured gardens.

Blackwell Grange

Stanley Howe / Blackwell Grange

Blackwell Grange, located in Darlington, is a distinguished stately home with a history spanning back to the early 18th century. Built in 1717 by George Allan, a prominent local lawyer, the Georgian-style mansion showcases classical architectural elements typical of the period, with elegant facades and stately interiors.

For generations, Blackwell Grange was home to notable families in Darlington, serving as both a private residence and a gathering place for society figures of the time.

In the mid-20th century, the building’s purpose shifted when it was sold and converted into a hotel. Blackwell Grange has since been carefully preserved and adapted, allowing visitors to experience its historical charm while enjoying modern amenities. The property is surrounded by scenic gardens and parkland, adding to its appeal as a tranquil retreat.

Wynyard Hall

Wynyard Hall, near Stockton-on-Tees, is one of Teesside’s most historically significant stately homes, with history linked to British aristocracy at the highest levels.

Originally built in the early 19th century for the Marquess of Londonderry, a wealthy landowner and influential political figure, the hall reflects a grand neo-classical design with opulent interiors. The Londonderry family, known for their roles in politics, military, and high society, made Wynyard a hub for gatherings with notable guests, including royalty and influential leaders of the time.

Even German Ambassador (and later Nazi minister) Joachim Von Ribbentrop visited and stayed at the hall.

In the 1840s, a fire damaged part of the hall, but it was meticulously restored, and further enhancements were made to showcase the family’s wealth and prestige. Wynyard Hall remained under the Londonderry family’s ownership until the mid-20th century when it was sold and eventually transformed into a luxury hotel and event venue.

Today, the hall is renowned for its gardens, lake, and restored chapel, making it a popular destination for visitors.

Marske Hall

Francis Hannaway, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Marske Hall, near Redcar, is a historic stately home with origins dating back to the early 17th century. Built around 1625 by Sir William Pennyman, a prominent figure in North Yorkshire, the hall was originally constructed in a Jacobean style. Marske Hall later became the seat of the Zetland family, who inherited the property through marriage in the 18th century and expanded it with Georgian and Victorian modifications to suit their growing status and needs.

Throughout its history, Marske Hall has served various roles, including as a private residence and later as a home for recuperating soldiers during World War II. In the 20th century, the hall left private family ownership and underwent further changes in use, eventually being converted to provide specialist care services. Despite these transformations, the building retains many of its period architectural features and serves as a link to Teesside’s aristocratic past.

Hardwick Hall

Maypm, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Hardwick Hall, near Sedgefield in County Durham, is a historic stately home set within a stunning landscape park that dates back to the 18th century. Originally built in the 1740s for John Burdon, a wealthy Tyneside businessman, the hall was part of a larger vision for a grand estate that included landscaped gardens, artificial lakes, and classical architectural features.

Burdon collaborated with architect James Paine to create this elegant Palladian-style mansion, designed to reflect the era’s fashionable tastes and ideals of harmony between architecture and nature.

Following Burdon’s financial decline, Hardwick Hall changed hands several times, and by the 19th century, it had begun to fall into disrepair. The surrounding parklands, however, remained well-maintained and were eventually transformed into Hardwick Park, a public space showcasing restored historical features and scenic walking paths.

Today, Hardwick Hall itself operates as a hotel.

Acklam Hall

Acklam Hall, Middlesbrough’s only Grade I listed building, is a historic stately home with origins dating back to 1683. Built for William Hustler, a prominent landowner and local politician, the hall showcases the classic architecture of the late Stuart period, including grand interiors with ornate plasterwork, a sweeping staircase, and beautifully preserved wood paneling.

Acklam Hall remained in the Hustler family for over two centuries, becoming a focal point for Middlesbrough’s social and political life.

In the 20th century, the building took on new roles, first as a grammar school and later as a college, helping to preserve its place within the community while adapting to modern needs.

In recent years, Acklam Hall was carefully restored and converted into a multifunctional venue, now home to a fine dining restaurant and event spaces.

Gisborough Hall

Neil Theasby / Gisborough Hall east of Guisborough

Gisborough Hall, a grand Victorian manor near the historic market town of Guisborough, was built in 1857 by Thomas Chaloner, a member of the prominent Chaloner family. It was designed as a luxurious residence reflecting the wealth generated by the family’s mining and industrial ventures. The Chaloners were instrumental in the development of Guisborough and its surrounding areas, and Gisborough Hall served as a centre of social life for the local aristocracy and elite.

Architecturally, the hall combines elements of neo-Jacobean and Gothic Revival styles, with intricate stonework, large bay windows, and elegantly landscaped grounds.

After being a private residence for over a century, Gisborough Hall eventually opened its doors to the public, transforming into a hotel that retains much of its original charm.