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Rise Hall
Rise Hall
from Wikipedia

Rise Hall. This is the former main gate; originally constructed during the reconstruction of the hall in 1815-1820. It is no longer part of the estate as it was retained when the house was sold in March 2001.

Rise Hall (formerly Rise Manor, or Rise Park) is a Grade II* listed stately home in Rise, East Riding of Yorkshire, England.[1]

History

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Map of Rise estate, dated 1716 with north to the right-hand side of the image.

Rise is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as having been owned by Cnut (the son of Karli) in 1066. The estate at this time comprised 6 carucates of ploughed fields, a value roughly equal to 720 acres (2.9 km2; 1.13 sq mi). It also had 30 acres (0.12 km2; 0.047 sq mi) of meadow and 40 acres (0.16 km2; 0.063 sq mi) of woodland.[2]

For some time between 1066 and 1071, the estate belonged to William Malet before coming into the possession of Drew de Bevrère[3] (rendered in some sources as Drogo of la Beuvriëre[2]).

Rise Manor was tenanted by Franco de Fauconberg, and the Fauconbergs retained ownership until 1372 when the estate was sold to Sir John Neville by Sir Thomas Fauconberg. The estate remained in the Neville family passing down to Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick, whose lands (including Rise) were seized by the crown after his death in 1471.[3]

The estate next passed into ownership of Richard Neville's son-in-law Richard Plantagenet, Duke of Gloucester who later became Richard III of England. The estate remained a crown estate until 1628 when the house and 120 acres (0.49 km2; 0.19 sq mi) of woodland were used as security for a loan from the city of London to the crown. In 1639 the grantees of the loan sold the estate to a William Raven and a Michael Evans. However they did not retain ownership long as they sold freehold in 1646 to a Thomas Bacon and Christopher Beckwith, who were buying on behalf of Hugh Bethell. At the same time as this transaction took place, Bethell himself bought out an existing leasehold on the estate.[3] Evidence of this phase of construction was found in 2011 during restoration, when several Jacobean wood panels were discovered in what had been the estate office.

19th century

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Rise Hall, from around 1820 showing the south aspect, including the wings and central pediment.

The Hall was rebuilt by Richard Bethell between 1815–20. An English Heritage report into buildings of special architectural or historic interest in Yorkshire suggested that Robert Abraham, a relation of the family, may have been the architect hired to carry out the renovation.[4] However the Pevsner architectural guide to the Buildings of England suggests that Watson & Pritchett of York could be the architects.[5] The house is primarily west facing, where it is fronted by a Grecian-style portico supported by pillars. The house also has north and south aspects fronted identically with a slight wing of 6 feet (1.8 m) at either end and a pediment over the central doorway.[6] Before the purchase of the manor, the Bethell family had been buying many surrounding farms and properties,[3] so that by 1856 the estate constituted 130 acres (0.53 km2; 0.20 sq mi) land set aside for around 300 deer to roam in, 120 acres (0.49 km2; 0.19 sq mi) of woodland, and 20 acres (0.081 km2; 0.031 sq mi) of fish ponds.[6] In 1995, the majority of the village of Rise was still owned by the Bethell family.[3]

It was around this time that a clock was installed over the stable block, constructed by the clockmaker Edward John Dent, the man behind the clock movement in Big Ben in the Palace of Westminster, this was rediscovered during renovations in 2011.

By 1884 the estate contained at least one cricket pitch, because in that year it played host to what is now considered an unusual match in that the opposing team was made up of 11 brothers – the Walgates of Aldbrough. The Walgates won the match by 3 wickets.[7]

20th century

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During the Second World War the manor served as headquarters for the operation of searchlight batteries in the local area, and accommodated the officers manning them. This is recorded by graffiti on walls inside the building that gives details of the officers stationed there. The estate also hosted a motor transport depot, positioned in a structure outside the main building.[8] At the start of the war the whole herd of deer on the estate was killed and the park was ploughed for agricultural use; it is only since that time that the estate has been allowed to return to grass.[3]

From 1946 until 1989, the building was used as a convent school dedicated to St. Philomena, and served as host to an order of nuns, the Canonesses Regular of St. Augustine. The school had both boarding and day students. Around 1980, the school added an extension to the east of the house, aligned with the south face, containing a gymnasium and a dining room. The order continued to use the house until 1995 to run religious retreats, holidays, weekend courses and meetings.[3]

The Hall stables and coach house are all listed buildings.[9]

21st century

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The Hall had fallen into disrepair before being bought in March 2001 by TV host and property expert Sarah Beeny and her husband, artist Graham Swift. The couple paid £435,000 (equivalent to £706,646 in 2018) for the property, and began restoration work on it.[10]

Initially the couple worked on making the property watertight, by renovating the roof and guttering. The gutters had been the source of substantial problems, overflowing into the house and causing outbreaks of both wet and dry rot. To solve the problems, a lot of timber had to be replaced. The couple also had to remove many of the fixtures that existed only to serve the former convent school, such as lavatory and shower cubicles, and hardboard walls.[11]

In November 2010, Beeny presented Beeny's Restoration Nightmare on Channel Four,[12] showing her plans for the renovation of Rise Hall as a family home and wedding venue.[13]

After the airing of the first series, the local council became aware of the renovation work, and raised objections that the work did not comply with planning regulations and listed building consent had not been obtained. That forced the couple to apply for retrospective planning permission and listed building consent, and make fire safety improvements.[14] They also had to spend £12,000 applying to obtain a certificate of lawful development which recognised that the property was primarily being used as a domestic dwelling.[14]

In carrying out the renovation, Beeny and Swift stated that they intended to restore, maintain and guarantee the survival of the property, ensuring it is protected as part of British heritage, and would create financial and employment growth through the use of contractors and materials required for its restoration.[15] During the second series, the couple gave art students from Hull College the opportunity to gain experience by assisting in the design and construction of the family room.[16]

In April 2019, Beeny and Swift sold Rise Hall to Daniel and Helen Gill, owners of an events and weddings business. Rise Hall continues to operate as a weddings and events venue.[17]

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Rise Hall is a Grade II* listed neoclassical country house situated in the village of Rise in the , , renowned for its architectural elegance and historical significance as a Bethell family estate. Built between 1815 and 1820 by architect Robert Abraham for Richard Bethell, the house exemplifies early 19th-century neoclassical design with its symmetrical west facade featuring a nine-bay and tetrastyle Ionic , complemented by an 11-bay south facade with a pedimented central section supported by Ionic columns. The interior boasts refined Neoclassical details, including Ionic screens, a cantilevered stone staircase, and a fireplace depicting a sacrificial scene, contributing to its special architectural and historic interest under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. Originally part of a manor recorded in the of 1086 and owned by the Bethell family from 1646, Rise Hall functioned as a prosperous country residence housing nine family members and 31 staff by 1851, though economic pressures from the 1930s led to reduced operations. During , it was requisitioned by the Royal Artillery's regiment for searchlight battery headquarters and accommodation, after which it served as St. Philomena’s Convent School until 1989, with the nuns remaining until 1995, before descending into dereliction by the late . In 2001, television presenter and her husband acquired the severely dilapidated property for £435,000 and spearheaded an extensive restoration to transform it into a viable wedding venue, a process chronicled in the documentary series Beeny's Restoration Nightmare (2010–2011), which highlighted challenges like structural rot, roof repairs, and recreating period features. The house was sold in April 2019 to Helen and Daniel , who continue to maintain it as a luxury exclusive-use venue specializing in weddings and events, with 31 bedrooms accommodating up to 62 guests amid 30 acres of landscaped gardens and grounds.

Location and estate

Geographical setting

Rise Hall is located in the village of Rise, within the , , approximately 7 miles (11 km) east of the market town of and 11 miles (18 km) northeast of . The site occupies the parish of Rise, positioned off Rise Road at National Grid Reference TA 15352 41942, in a region of gently undulating countryside that transitions from the low-lying plain to the higher ground of the . This setting places the hall near notable historical landmarks, including , about 7 miles to the west, and within a landscape that offers views toward the coast, roughly 5 miles (8 km) to the east near . The hall lies approximately 10 miles (16 km) north of the Humber Estuary, the large tidal inlet that forms the southern boundary of the East Riding and connects the Rivers Ouse and Trent to the . Access to the site is primarily via the B1243 road, which branches north from the A165 near Skirlaugh, providing connections to major routes linking Hull, , and the coast; these roads have historically supported regional travel and trade in the area. The immediate surroundings include agricultural fields and the estate's own parkland, with the hall elevated on a modest topographic rise at around 15–20 meters above , offering oversight of the surrounding terrain. Geologically, the Rise area is underlain by glacial deposits, primarily () from Devensian glaciation, forming the flat to gently rolling plain, with older mudstones and chalk of the influencing the subsurface to the west. This glacial , up to 30 meters thick in places, creates fertile soils but also contributes to the region's vulnerability to and flooding near the . The hall's position on a local rise exploits the subtle variations in this , providing a vantage point amid otherwise low-elevation farmland averaging 10–15 meters above .

Grounds and parkland

The Rise Hall estate encompasses approximately 30 acres of grounds, including formal gardens, walled kitchen gardens, and expansive open parkland that contribute to its secluded rural character in the . These areas were historically part of a larger 345-acre , but the core landscaped grounds today focus on manicured lawns and natural features designed for and aesthetic appeal. The landscaping of the grounds originated in the late 18th century under the ownership of the Bethell family, with significant developments beginning after William Bethell inherited the estate in 1772. Influenced by the principles of "Capability" Brown, whose 1775 plan guided the transformations, the parkland was reshaped to include open pastures, strategic tree clumps, and boundary plantations that created sweeping vistas and a sense of natural harmony. Further enhancements occurred during the early under Richard Bethell, coinciding with the hall's reconstruction from 1815 to 1820, emphasizing elements typical of the period's landscape style. Key features added during the Bethell era include ornamental fish ponds—such as the New Pond with its circular island—and woodland walks through Rise Wood, an ancient semi-natural woodland partially replanted in the and 1840s. These elements, including the ponds and wooded paths, enhance the estate's tranquility and provide scenic routes for exploration, with extensive woodlands including Rise Wood. In modern times, the grounds have been maintained and enhanced to support contemporary uses, particularly as event spaces for weddings and retreats, with improvements such as restored pathways, a sweeping driveway, and manicured lawns suitable for outdoor gatherings. The walled , originally from the , was converted into an organic vegetable farm and continues to supply fresh produce, while overall upkeep ensures the landscape remains accessible and visually appealing for visitors.

History

Medieval and early modern origins

The land at Rise is first documented in the of 1086, where it appears as a settlement in the North Hundred of , divided between two holdings. The Archbishop of York's portion was recorded as waste land with no recorded value or resources, while Drogo of la Beuvrière held the principal manor, comprising 13 households (7 villagers and 6 smallholders), 6 ploughlands (2 on the lord's and 4 for the men), 30 acres of , 2 by 2 furlongs of , and 1 mill; this manor was valued at £1 10s in 1086, down from £3 in 1066. Franco de Fauconberg served as subtenant under Drogo, and the Fauconberg family retained overlordship of the manor through the medieval period, establishing it as a feudal estate focused on agricultural production, including arable farming, meadow grazing, and management to support manorial obligations. A is recorded at Rise from the early , with the medieval Fauconberg residence identified as situated between Mote Hill and the , serving as the administrative center for the estate's tenants and lands. In 1372, Sir Thomas Fauconberg sold the manor to Sir John Neville, whose family held it until it passed to Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick; following Neville's defeat and death at the in 1471 during the Wars of the Roses, the estate was attainted and seized by the , later being granted briefly to Richard, Duke of Gloucester (the future Richard III) in 1475 before reverting to royal possession. Rise remained a until 1628, when it was pledged as security for a from the , encompassing the and 120 acres of woodland. In 1639, the grantees of the loan sold the property to William Raven and Michael Evans, who resold it in 1646 to Hugh Bethell (1589–1659), a member of a family from ; this acquisition marked the beginning of the Bethell family's enduring association with Rise, as they expanded holdings in the township and maintained the manorial structure into subsequent centuries.

19th-century construction

Rise Hall was commissioned and constructed between 1815 and 1820 by Richard Bethell (1772–1864), a landowner and who had inherited the estate in 1799 from a kinsman, replacing an earlier on the site. The project marked a significant rebuilding effort, demolishing the previous structure to create a new residence suited to Bethell's growing influence, including his roles as of in 1822 and for the East Riding. The Bethell family, with roots in the estate dating to the early 17th century, used the construction to elevate their social standing amid the Regency period's emphasis on neoclassical estates. The design is attributed to either Robert Abraham or the York-based partnership of Watson and Pritchett, though attribution remains uncertain; the house features an austere neoclassical style with principal facades in local sandstone ashlar and rear elevations in pinkish-brown brick under a Welsh slate roof. Materials were largely sourced from nearby quarries and suppliers, reflecting practical estate management and regional building traditions of the era. Intended as a —though Bethell and his wife had no children—the hall embodied Regency-era grandeur through its symmetrical layout and restrained elegance, serving as a hub for estate operations and social gatherings. During the later 19th century, the hall underwent key modifications to enhance functionality and integration with the surrounding estate, including a new added around 1890 where the former met the main block, along with internal alterations by Leeds architects Watson and Woodhead. These changes, including expansions to service , supported the Bethell family's continued occupancy and agricultural oversight, adapting the original structure to evolving domestic needs without altering its core neoclassical form.

20th-century developments

During the Second World War, Rise Hall was requisitioned by the British military and served as the headquarters for the 40th Battalion of the Royal Artillery . The estate accommodated operations aimed at countering raids, including dormitories for personnel, officer quarters, and a motor transport depot. The Bethell family, who had owned the property since 1646, retained limited access to a few rooms such as the Green Bedroom during this period. While the parkland was ploughed for agricultural use and the herd was culled to support the , the main structure endured with minimal permanent alterations beyond temporary military fittings. Following the war, in 1946, Rise Hall was leased to the Canonesses Regular of St. Augustine and converted into St. Philomena's Convent School, a Roman Catholic boarding and day institution for girls that operated until 1989. Adaptations for educational purposes included transforming the dining room into a , utilizing the gallery for dance lessons, conducting science classes in an outbuilding, and constructing a gymnasium extension around 1980, which later became known as the ballroom. The nuns continued to use the hall for retreats and courses until 1995, after which it was fully vacated. The closure of the in 1989, prompted by declining enrollment, marked the beginning of Rise Hall's decline, leaving the building unoccupied and exposed to neglect. By the late , it had fallen into dereliction, suffering extensive , of fixtures, and structural decay from and lack of . The Bethell family retained ownership of Rise Hall and much of the surrounding village of Rise throughout the , despite economic pressures like Depression that led them to reduce staff and shutter portions of the house earlier in the era. In the late , under Bethell (1922–1996) and his successor Hugh Adrian Bethell, the family confronted the property's worsening condition and ultimately decided to sell the deteriorating estate.

21st-century restoration

In March 2001, television presenter and her husband, artist , acquired the severely derelict Rise Hall for £435,000, rescuing it from further decay after years of neglect. The property, a sprawling Georgian mansion with 97 rooms, required comprehensive intervention to stabilize its structure and revive its historical character. The couple initiated a major restoration project spanning 2001 to 2010, encompassing structural repairs to combat widespread rot and deterioration, complete re-roofing, and the careful reinstatement of original features, including the discovery and recreation of Jacobean wood panels during later phases of work. This ambitious endeavor transformed the near-ruinous building into a functional family home while preserving its architectural integrity, with efforts documented in the series Beeny's Restoration Nightmare, which aired in 2010 and highlighted the challenges of balancing modern updates with historical authenticity. As a Grade II* since 16 December 1966, the restoration adhered to guidelines from to ensure compliance with conservation standards for such protected heritage sites. In April 2019, after nearly two decades of ownership and investment, Beeny and Swift sold Rise Hall to Daniel and Helen Gill, entrepreneurs behind the catering and events firm Dine, for approximately £1.4 million, facilitating its evolution into a commercial venue.

Architecture

Exterior design

Rise Hall exemplifies Regency-era , characterized by its symmetrical design and Grecian stylistic elements, constructed primarily between and 1820. The building is approximately H-shaped on plan, with a central block flanked by projecting wings and service ranges extending to the north and east, creating a balanced and imposing . The main elevations are faced in fine-grained , providing a uniform and elegant surface that contrasts with the pinkish-brown brick used for the rear and service areas. The principal west facade, facing the entrance drive, spans nine bays over two storeys above a plinth, emphasizing through its central emphasis and outer pilasters. At its heart is a full-height tetrastyle in the Grecian , featuring four giant columns supporting a plain and moulded , which serves as the grand entry point and defines the building's classical pedigree. Flanking the portico are sash windows with glazing bars—twelve-pane on both floors, those at ground level set against panelled aprons and those above on sills—framing the facade in a rhythmic pattern. A balustrade crowns the roofline, interrupted by the pediment, while the hipped roof is concealed behind a moulded and blocking course, with tall chimneys rising discreetly at the ends. The south facade mirrors this across eleven bays, with the end bays projecting slightly and the three central bays breaking forward under a pedimented , accessed by a flight of two steps to the entrance. Here, the window arrangement varies subtly: the outer projecting bays feature twelve-pane es flanked by narrower eight-pane ones, maintaining the neoclassical proportion while allowing for functional adaptation. The service wings, added or extended in the late , extend these ranges in matching with slate roofs, incorporating windows and a central pedimented doorcase with Ionic columns to the north range, ensuring the utilitarian areas harmonize with the main structure without overpowering it. Complementing the hall's exterior are boundary features that enhance its estate context, including a pair of Grade II listed stone lodges at the northern entrance, each with pyramidal slate roofs and Ionic columns, linked by curving screen walls. Ornamental iron gatepiers and wrought-iron gates provide a refined approach, while the East Lodge (Victorian red brick) and South Lodge (c.1830 stuccoed with Gothic details) further delineate the perimeter in styles sympathetic to the neoclassical core. An octagonal brick Round House on the eastern boundary adds a element, collectively framing the hall in a cohesive architectural ensemble.

Interior layout and features

The interior of Rise Hall exemplifies Regency-era neoclassical design, with principal rooms featuring elaborate , ornate , and decorative cornices that reflect the building's early 19th-century origins. The dining room, originally a grand entertaining space but later adapted as a during its time as a , retains a moulded plaster ceiling adorned with cherubs and neoclassical motifs, complemented by a featuring a carved panel depicting a sacrificial scene. Adjacent to it, the library showcases plain wooden bookcases lining the walls, a decorative of leaves, and a neoclassical , creating a scholarly atmosphere with preserved Regency . The house accommodates 31 bedrooms distributed across three floors, offering a mix of spacious principal suites and smaller guest rooms, all individually styled to blend historical charm with modern comforts. During the 21st-century restoration, en-suite bathrooms were added to each bedroom, incorporating contemporary fixtures while preserving original features like fielded-panel doors and window shutters. These rooms, once part of the family's private quarters and staff accommodations, now provide luxurious overnight stays for up to 62 guests. At the heart of the interior is the staircase hall, a dramatic space topped by a square roof light that illuminates the cantilevered stone staircase with its cast-iron balusters in a rod-and-circle pattern, supported by Ionic columns on the first floor and retaining original neoclassical joinery throughout. Servants' staircases, featuring dogleg designs with turned balusters, connect the upper floors to the lower levels, maintaining the hierarchical layout typical of Regency country houses. Service areas, including the kitchens and cellars, were substantially modified in the when Rise Hall served as a , with partitions added for classrooms and utilitarian spaces repurposed for educational use. These alterations, such as the conversion of cellars for storage and the adaptation of kitchens for communal meals, were largely reversed during the recent restoration, restoring the original layouts and integrating modern appliances while reinstating period-appropriate elements like the reused 17th-century panelled dado in a rear service room.

Modern use

Events and hospitality

Rise Hall operates as an exclusive-use venue specializing in weddings and events, accommodating up to 200 guests for celebrations while offering 31 individually styled bedrooms that sleep up to 62 people, including options for additional z-beds for children. This setup facilitates multi-day weekends, allowing guests to stay on-site and enjoy the 30-acre estate's privacy and landscaped grounds for activities such as and relaxation. Civil ceremonies can be held indoors in elegant state rooms with terrace access or outdoors amid the gardens, integrating the venue's Grade II listed heritage with natural surroundings for personalized settings. Receptions and breakfasts are hosted in versatile spaces like the , which seats up to 180 guests and features five French doors opening to a terrace, or in temporary marquees erected on the grounds for larger gatherings. Evening receptions extend the festivities with options for , live , and layouts that blend historical charm—such as the 19th-century gallery and —with modern amenities like log fires for ambiance. Hospitality services are provided by award-winning caterer Dine, which has over 25 years of experience serving high-profile events and collaborates with couples to create customized menus reflecting personal tastes, from seasonal produce to themed offerings. The venue supports seasonal events, including winter weddings enhanced by , candlelit dinners, and cozy fireside receptions, as well as summer garden ceremonies that highlight the estate's parkland. Unique touches like a concierge service and guided estate explorations further incorporate historical elements, such as tours of the quirky 200-year-old architecture, into contemporary experiences. Rise Hall has earned recognition for its hospitality, including the Best Historic Venue award at the 2024 Yorkshire & North East Wedding Industry Awards and Best Countryside Wedding Venue in the 2025 For Better For Worse Wedding Awards, underscoring its reputation for seamless, luxurious event management.

Ownership and management

Rise Hall has been owned by Daniel and Helen Gill since April 2019, when they purchased the Grade II*-listed property from television presenter Sarah Beeny and her husband Graham Swift for £1.4 million. The Gills, founders of the award-winning catering and events company Dine, had been advising Beeny and Swift on operations since 2010, including during the latter stages of the property's restoration from 2001 to 2019. Under the Gills' ownership, Rise Hall is managed by Dine as an exclusive private luxury venue specializing in weddings, corporate retreats, and bespoke events, accommodating up to 62 guests across 31 bedrooms and seven reception rooms set within 30 acres of grounds. The emphasizes high-end, all-inclusive hires that generate revenue through tailored , accommodation, and event services, with Dine committing over £500,000 in initial post-purchase investments to enhance facilities. Management prioritizes the preservation of the hall's Regency-era heritage, blending original architectural features with modern amenities to ensure long-term viability as a historic events destination. Following these investments and ongoing enhancements, Rise Hall's value has risen into the millions of pounds by 2025, reflecting its transformation into a premier venue. The Gills have outlined plans for measured expansion, including potential additions to event spaces and initiatives to increase limited access while maintaining exclusivity.

References

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