Gisburne Park

Gisburne Park is an 18th-century country house in the village of Gisburn, Lancashire, set in the Ribble Valley about 10 km north-east of Clitheroe. The house holds the top Grade I listing, and its surrounding parkland is Grade II registered. It is a private estate rather than a museum, so it helps to know what access to expect before you go.

What is it, and who built it?

The Lister family bought the manor of Gisburne in 1614 but only moved in during 1706. The present mansion went up between 1727 and 1736 for Thomas Lister, MP for Clitheroe. It rises two storeys on an H-shaped plan, with a nine-bay south front, and its interiors keep Baroque plasterwork by Italian stuccodores. The builder's grandson, another Thomas Lister, became the first Baron Ribblesdale, and the family held the land for generations. Several estate buildings survive: the Temple, a summerhouse from the 1750s, and the Kennels, a sham castle from later in the century, both Grade II listed. The gate lodges carry a Grade II* listing.

Can you visit the house?

There is no regular house tour. The mansion is privately owned, and the Hindley family has run the estate since 2003. In the 1990s the house became a hospital, which closed in 2021. The roughly 1,000-acre park is part working agricultural land and part wedding and holiday venue under the Ribblesdale Park name, offering lodges, cottages and glamping. The realistic way to see the grounds up close is to book a stay or attend an event. The house is not easily seen from nearby roads, so do not count on a casual look over a wall.

How do you get there?

Gisburn sits on the A59 between Clitheroe and Skipton, which makes it a natural stop on a drive through the Ribble Valley towards the Yorkshire Dales. A car is the practical choice, as public transport in this part of Lancashire is sparse. Entry to the estate requires advance arrangement with the owners.

When should you go?

Late spring to early autumn gives the widest choice of accommodation and the best weather for walking the surrounding countryside. Sika deer and peacocks roam the grounds. Weddings cluster in summer, so parts of the estate may be reserved on weekends.

Frequently asked questions

Is Gisburne Park open to the public? There are no fixed visiting hours. Access depends on booking a stay or an event.

What is the listing status? The house is Grade I listed (designated 1954) and the park is Grade II.

Where is Gisburn? In the Ribble Valley, Lancashire, roughly 10 km from Clitheroe on the A59.

Is it still a hospital? No. The hospital closed in 2021, and the estate now works as a wedding and leisure venue.