History of the Swinton Estate

The family

The Swinton Estate land title has been in the ownership of the Cunliffe-Lister family since the 1880s, when Samuel Cunliffe-Lister bought the estate on retiring from his mill in Bradford, Manningham Mills (which at the time was the largest factory in Europe).

The Estate then passed to Samuel’s sons and then his grand-daughter Molly and husband Philip Lloyd-Graeme who took the family name on inheriting the estate and the family home, Swinton Park. Philip was a prominent politician who served in 11 Conservative cabinets and was appointed Earl of Swinton in 1955.

An old black and white photo of the Cunliffe-Lister family
A modern photo of the Cunliffe-Lister family

Molly’s great-grandson Mark is the current 4th Earl of Swinton and is now responsible for the running of the Swinton Estate and, along with his wife Felicity (the Countess of Swinton), converted Swinton Park into a hotel in 2001.

Swinton Park

Swinton Park was originally a Georgian country house. Typical in its appearance of the late 17th Century, it had five bays and three stories, and a top balustrade and belvedere turret.

It wasn’t until when Swinton Park became a “castle” under the Gothic influence, with the addition of castellations, turrets and the large round tower in the early 1800s.

An historical sketch depicting the original house located at Swinton Park
An historical sketch depicting Swinton Park in North Yorkshire

When Samuel Cunliffe-Lister bought the Estate, he carried out further substantial building works – adding on the whole of the second floor, raising the height of the turret and adding the wing that is home to the palatial dining room (now Samuel’s Restaurant).

The landscape

Prior to ownership by the Cunliffe-Lister family, the Estate was owned of the Danby family, dating back to the late 1600s. During the late 1700s the Danby family landscaped the Parkland, creating the Deer Park and Deer House, five lakes, woodland and gardens.

They also commissioned the construction of the Druid’s Temple folly on the moors (which is now within the Druid’s Plantation at Swinton Bivouac). The site contains a main temple along with numerous stone formations dotted around the woodland for eager walkers to find as they explore.

A lake with lily pads surrounded by green trees on a sunny day in the parkland at Swinton Estate
Exterior photo of the luxury Swinton Park castle hotel on the Swinton Estate, where you can stay in North Yorkshire

The Swinton Estate today

After the death of Countess Swinton in 1974, Swinton Park was not lived in as a family home. Instead it was owned and run as a management training centre by Lindley Lodge until 1997.

Then in May 2000 Mark Cunliffe-Lister, his mother Susan, and his brother and sister took the brave step of buying back Swinton. Two weeks later, Mark and Felicity got married and, on return from honeymoon, started a nine month program of intensive building works to transform it into an opulent castle hotel, opening on 19th March 2001.

Since then, development has continued alongside the operation of the Rural Estate. Mark and Felicity have seen the launch of several successful enterprises on the Estate including the Swinton Cookery School (2003), Swinton Birds of Prey (2006), Swinton Bivouac glamping campsite and café (2012), and the Swinton Country Club (2017). In 2019 the permissive paths in the 200 acres of Parkland and Gardens were opened to the public.

Aerial photo of Leighton Reservoir on the Swinton Estate in North Yorkshire

Explore the Swinton Estate. Maps and walking routes are available from reception at both Swinton Park Hotel and Swinton Bivouac. 

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