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Grantley Hall throughout the years

Grantley Hall holds captivating history, hosting Members of Parliament, artists, entertainers and royalty. Its evolution from a grand private residence to an exceptional five-star hotel is a remarkable journey filled with fascinating stories.

Originally built as a private home, the estate has served many purposes over the years, from being used as a convalescent home during the war to an adult education college.

Today Grantley Hall is privately owned by Mrs Valeria Sykes, who bought the property in 2015 with the vision of creating a legacy for her family, this magnificent building itself and the county of Yorkshire.

The Norton Family

GRANTLEY HALL HISTORY

Grantley Hall, built by Thomas Norton in the late 17th century in the Palladian style, was completed just before Queen Anne’s reign. The original structure—a simple, rectangular block facing south towards the River Skell—featured seven bays in length and three storeys in height. Today, its lower floor houses Norton’s Lounge, while Norton’s Courtyard was once the estate’s main entrance.

The Norton Family

GRANTLEY HALL HISTORY

Thomas Norton's grandson, Fletcher Norton, inherited the estate at just three years old. Rising to prominence as Solicitor General and later Speaker of the House of Commons, he was knighted in 1762 and made 1st Lord Grantley in 1782. Fletcher expanded the modest private residence into a grand country house, adding two rooms to the east around 1740 - now the Norton Bar and the Morning Room. Throughout the 18th century, further extensions included the East Wing’s Entrance Hall (now the Reception Foyer), a Drawing Room, and a Music Room/Ballroom which is now Shaun Rankin at Grantley Hall.

The Norton Family

GRANTLEY HALL HISTORY

The Norton family retained the Grantley Estate for nearly 200 years, with notable figures such as the 2nd Lord Grantley, William Norton (a British MP and Peer), the 3rd Lord Grantley, Fletcher Norton (a Battle of Waterloo veteran), and Lady Caroline Norton; who campaigned extensively for the legal rights of women that were separated from their husbands. She was instrumental in the passage of the 1839 Custody of Infants Act.

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The Furness Family

grantley hall history

In January 1900, the 5th Lord Grantley sold the Grantley Estate to Sir Christopher Furness, a multimillionaire shipping magnate. Born in 1852, Sir Christopher expanded his father’s grocery business into the renowned Furness Line of Steamers. Beyond business, he was a passionate gardener, politician, and MP. Knighted in 1895, he was elevated to the peerage in 1910 as 1st Baron Furness of Grantley.

The Furness Family

grantley hall history

Sir Christopher significantly altered Grantley Hall, shaping much of its present appearance. He extended the Music Room, added a Billiard Room above the Entrance Hall, and built a southwest wing—now home to Fletchers Restaurant, the Brook Room, and Parklands—completing the courtyard by the River Skell.

The Furness Family

grantley hall history

His wife, Lady Jane Furness, designed the Japanese Gardens around 1910 using rocks from Brimham Rocks, now a National Trust site. One of the earliest Japanese Gardens in the UK, it remains a highlight for visitors. During this time, a leat was also introduced to divert the River Skell and reduce flood risk. Following Sir Christopher’s death in 1912, his son, Marmaduke (whom Grantley Hall's teddy bear is named after) inherited the estate as the 2nd Baron Furness before selling it in 1925.

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The Aykroyd Family

GRANTLEY HALL HISTORY

In 1925, Sir William Aykroyd purchased the Grantley Estate, including Brimham Estate and the villages of Grantley, Winksley, and Sawley—totalling 6,710 acres—for £12,000. Appointed High Sheriff of Yorkshire in 1926, he was deeply involved in the local community, hosting cinema nights in what is now Norton Bar and funding the construction of Grantley Village Hall in 1929. In 1937, Sir William and Lady Emma Aykroyd welcomed Queen Mary and the Princess Royal to Grantley Hall for tea, a tour of the paintings, and a stroll through the gardens. The Princess Royal later returned in 1944.

The Aykroyd Family

GRANTLEY HALL HISTORY

During World War II, Sir William loaned Grantley Hall to the war effort, transforming it into a convalescent home for American, Jamaican, and Canadian airmen and soldiers. A total of 6,571 patients were cared for at the estate, with the last leaving on 16th February 1946. The dining room hosted meals and dances, while the Entertainment National Service Association arranged performances, including a visit from Dame Vera Lynn, who sang for the troops.

The Aykroyd Family

GRANTLEY HALL HISTORY

Following Lady Emma’s death in 1946 and Sir William’s in 1947, Grantley Hall’s private family ownership ended. The estate was sold to a financial syndicate and later purchased by West Riding County Council for £13,500. In 1949, it reopened under the wardship of David Hopkinson as an adult education and residential training college, a role it maintained for the next 50 years, leaving a lasting impression on those who studied there.

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The Sykes Family

grantley hall history

In 2015, Valeria Sykes and her family bought Grantley Hall with a vision of transforming it from something unseen and tired into a property that Yorkshire could be proud of.

The Sykes Family

grantley hall history

Grantley Hall was the perfect canvas for the Sykes family’s passion for arts, history, old buildings, hospitality, interior design, and innovation. Soon after, plans were underway for the building to be respectfully restored with a four-year project of renovation works.

The Sykes Family

grantley hall history

After four years of renovation works, Grantley Hall was re-born, blending traditional elegance and outstanding state-of-the-art facilities, opening as a five-star luxury hotel and wellness retreat in July 2019. Three generations of the Sykes family were involved in the restoration project, bringing new levels of sincere luxury to the North of England. Valeria's son, Richard Sykes, is Managing Director.