The National Trust has today (March 28) announced it will be reopening the historic Crook Hall and Gardens, in Durham.
The development ends the uncertainty over the future of the Grade I listed medieval hall and gardens which had been closed since July 2020.
The site, a popular venue for weddings and tourists until it shut last summer, holds a medieval manor house which is one of the oldest inhabited houses in the city.
Maggie and Keith Bell, who lived and worked there from 1995, announced in June 2020 the business was going into liquidation and the venue was closing because of the “insurmountable challenge” posed by the economic effects of the Covid-19 lockdown.
Taking ownership of the site, the National Trust already looks after several places in the North East, including Gibside, Washington Old Hall, Souter Lighthouse and The Leas, Seaton Delaval Hall, Wallington and Cragside, as well as approximately six miles of the Durham Coast.
Eric Wilton, General Manager for Crook Hall and Gardens, said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming visitors - old and new - back to Crook Hall and Gardens very soon.
"It’s a historically important and locally cherished place, which the National Trust is delighted to be taking into our care.
Read more: National Trust in talks about buying Crook Hall in Durham
"The hall, cafe and beautiful gardens have been closed to the public for over 18 months, so we’ll be spending the coming weeks carrying out the necessary work required to open the doors again.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for the National Trust here, so close to the city centre. We look forward to playing our part in bringing visitors to this globally renowned city and the surrounding area.
"The site is also close to National Trust owned Moorhouse Woods, just to the north of the city. We hope to develop a longer-term project that will help to improve access to this green space stretching from Crook Hall, creating a nature-rich green corridor between the two sites and beyond.”
Read more: Crook Hall and Gardens, Durham, to close down for good
Keith and Maggie Bell, who had owned the hall and gardens since 1995, said: “We are delighted that the National Trust are becoming the custodians of Crook Hall and Gardens. We are happy in the knowledge that the property's future is secure.
Our links with the property will not be broken. As National Trust members we look forward to regular visits to this beautiful place.”
The National Trust plans to re-open the gardens, café and parts of the house, including the medieval hall, by summer 2022.
In the meantime, work will be carried out to prepare site ahead of opening, including the recruitment of staff and volunteers. To keep up to date with plans, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/crookhall.
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