All about Mollycroft

A little history

Greville's family have been living on the same land for 800 years and, in 1827, built the chapel in which he now lives with wife Sophie and his three kids. The chapel's large rooms make for a wonderful family home and give Sophie the space to run ilovegorgeous, her children's clothing label. More importantly to the Worthingtons, it makes a great party house.

The chapel was the first chapel built after the Catholic Emancipation act of 1823 and is clearly a neo-gothic building of celebration. They also lend themselves to art, especially sculpture. The family has an impressive private collection featuring works by Edmund De Waal, Catherine Yass and Damien Hirst and the chapel has even hosted shows, the most recent of which was an exhibition by Roger Hiorns, currently the star of The British Art Show at Haywood Gallery in London.

Wildlife & environment

The area sourrounding the Mollycroft is a mix of farmland, mainly sheep and cattle farming on lowland pastures and extensive hardwood woodland, managed by Greville. He manages the woodland by coppicing hazel and using the offcuts to make charcoal on site (a charcoal burn can be arranged occasionally as a participation activity). The woodland is home to rabbits and deer as well as a thriving bird population, which also extends to the bamboo garden around the Mollycroft. There's a resident flock of green finches in winter as well as owls, woodpeckers and starlings. On site, there is also an organic veg garden and it may be possible to pick up the odd fresh grown treat depending on availability.

Getting there

The Mollycroft, Tunstall, North Yorkshire DL10 7PJ

By train

The nearest station is Darlington, from which you can take a bus to Catterick

By car

From North. Come off the A1 at Catterick (3 miles south of Scotch Corner) and go straight on to Catterick Bridge with the racecourse in front of you. Turn Right straight after the bridge, then go on for 1 mile. Take the first left (Tunstall and equestrian centre), and after 700 yards, the first left through the fancy gates into Brough Park. They are straight ahead with the road bearing off to the right and the Mollycroft just there on right behind hedge.

Things to do

The Mollycroft is on the edge of The Yorkshire Dales National Park with hundreds of miles of walks across moors, valleys and pastures, waterfalls and woodland with pubs and restaurants aplenty. The Mollycroft has its own library of guidebooks of walks and eateries to tempt you. If you are outwardbound, you will not be short of adventure.

For a real taste of the local area come to the largest Sunday Market in the North. On every Sunday at Catterick racecourse, with about 200 stalls offering hundreds of bargains. Perfect for that idle wander around before lunch. It is in fact possible to walk there in about half an hour if you are feeling like it, and mostly across fields. Otherwise Richmond (5 miles away) is a delightful market town with a handsome Norman castle and a beautiful market square with an outdoor market on Saturdays and a farmer's market alongside on the third Saturday of the month. The castle also has lots of different events on during the Summer.

You're also within one hour's drive of the metropolitan centres of Newcastle to the North and Leeds to the South. Both are very easy to get to on the A1 which is 1 mile from the Mollycroft. Newcastle has culture in abundance, apart from all the bars and restaurants. Famous for its Sage Centre for the best in music in an incredible new building, just next door to the Baltic for world class exhibitions in another incredible building and hundreds of excellent restaurants and bars dotted along the river Tyne.

Heading South for 1 hour takes you to Leeds and another great day or evening out. Highlights include the West Yorkshire Playhouse and the Henry Moore Institute for edgy art shows. Again, with all the restaurants and entertainment at your fingertips.

Eating & drinking

Pubs & restaurants around the Mollycroft

The White Heifer - Scorton (1.4 miles) - Great food and excellent wine, best to make a reservation, so call 01748 811357

The Bay Horse - Tunstall (3.1 miles) Real local feel, a warm welcome and a coal fire in winter, good for beer but no food on offer

The Black Bull - Moulton (4.7 miles) Famous for oysters and lemon sole - ask to dine in the railway carriage!

The Wensleydale Heifer - West Witton (12.4 miles) A delightful seafood place in the midst of great walking country

The Blue Lion - East Witton (9.6 miles) Also on some great walking routes, game and seasonal cooking that are hard to beat plus a cosy log fire

All about Mollycroft

A little history

Greville's family have been living on the same land for 800 years and, in 1827, built the chapel in which he now lives with wife Sophie and his three kids. The chapel's large rooms make for a wonderful family home and give Sophie the space to run ilovegorgeous, her children's clothing label. More importantly to the Worthingtons, it makes a great party house.

The chapel was the first chapel built after the Catholic Emancipation act of 1823 and is clearly a neo-gothic building of celebration. They also lend themselves to art, especially sculpture. The family has an impressive private collection featuring works by Edmund De Waal, Catherine Yass and Damien Hirst and the chapel has even hosted shows, the most recent of which was an exhibition by Roger Hiorns, currently the star of The British Art Show at Haywood Gallery in London.

Wildlife & environment

The area sourrounding the Mollycroft is a mix of farmland, mainly sheep and cattle farming on lowland pastures and extensive hardwood woodland, managed by Greville. He manages the woodland by coppicing hazel and using the offcuts to make charcoal on site (a charcoal burn can be arranged occasionally as a participation activity). The woodland is home to rabbits and deer as well as a thriving bird population, which also extends to the bamboo garden around the Mollycroft. There's a resident flock of green finches in winter as well as owls, woodpeckers and starlings. On site, there is also an organic veg garden and it may be possible to pick up the odd fresh grown treat depending on availability.