A STATELY home is celebrating after being officially named as Yorkshire's favourite country house.

Newby Hall, near Ripon, has scooped nearly a third of the votes in the first ever public online poll for the Historic Houses Garden of the Year.

Newby’s 40 acres of gardens and woodland triumphed against seven other leading gardens for the 2019 title in a head-to-head contest, sponsored by Christies. The prestigious Historic Houses award was redesigned and relaunched this year, featuring a shortlist for the first time since its creation in 1984. Previous winners were encouraged to participate – Newby Hall won in 1986 and so also becomes the first garden to win the title twice.

Newby’s gardens, owned by Richard and Lucinda Compton, are visited by around 140,000 people every year and often feature on film and TV.

Lucinda Compton said: “We are over the moon to win this award, particularly as the votes were cast by members of the public. To be the first garden to have won it twice makes it even more special. Our team of gardeners should feel very proud as they work tirelessly in all weathers to keep Newby always looking first class.”

More than 6,000 votes were cast this year for the Historic Houses Garden of the Year, and Newby Hall received 1,982 votes in total.