I love Egton Manor, so much so that it’s gone straight into my top ten of favourite ever wedding venues.
I began Steph and Max’s day with a drive through the Yorkshire countryside and into the misty Esk Valley, where the small village of Egton is. Think stone cottages, rolling hills, and that peaceful countryside charm and you’d be about there, right in the heart of the North York Moors National Park.
When I arrived, Steph and her besties were already getting ready in style in the bridal suite, with her makeup artist and hair stylist on hand to help them look and feel her absolute best.
Once the dress went on, the bouquets of flowers were handed out to the bridesmaids and Maid of Honour and the entire crew headed up the road – avoiding the local coal lorry on his delivery rounds – to St Hedda’s Church, just a minutes walk up the road. Once quick walk down the aisle and once the vows were exchanged, the rings were placed on their fingers and the entire thing was sealed with a kiss.
A quick trundle back to Egton and the Prosecco was popped for the guests whilst we worked our way through the group photos. Speeches by the Groom, Father of the Bride and the Best Man went down a treat and before you knew it, it was time for the wedding breakfast.
The evening began with a bit of mingling in the bar before the cake cut and then onto the first dance. This is where the day became epic. The band, Agent Smith, know how to put on a show. The lead singer had the entire dance floor filled from start to finish with some of the best indie/rock/rock n roll/metal covers you’ve heard. If you’re thinking of a band for your wedding day, PLEASE, check these guys out.
Suppliers:
Venue: Egton Manor
Dress: Poppy Bridal
Florist: Moonwind Flowers
MUA: Marie Young Makeup & Clare Flint Makeup
Hair: Cara Louise Wedding Hair
Caterers: Babaganoush Catering
Band: Agent Smith Band
Egton Manor is a historic country house situated near the village of Egton Bridge, nestled along the banks of the River Esk in the North Yorkshire Moors (designated a National Park in 1952) and just a few miles from Whitby and an hour from York – or Jórvík, as the Vikings used to call it – itself. Built in 1869 by the Foster family, who still reside there today, the manor is a Grade II listed building. The Manor, which covers 6,000 acres, lies at the heart of the Egton Estate and is mentioned in the Domesday Book.
Norman Conquest
Egton Manor appears in the Domesday Book of 1086. At that time, the manor was held by Robert, Count of Mortain – half-brother to William the Conqueror. Before the Norman Conquest, it had been owned by a man named Swen. In the centuries that followed, Egton passed through several noble families, including the Fossards, de Turnhams, de Mauleys, and the Salvins.
17th to 19th Centuries
By 1686, Egton was under the ownership of Henry Yelverton, Baron Grey of Ruthin, who later became the first Viscount Longueville in 1690. His son, Talbot Yelverton, 1st Earl of Sussex, held various prominent positions including Lord of the Bedchamber and Privy Counsellor. However, the Yelvertons were absentee landlords, seldom visiting the estate.
In 1730, Talbot Yelverton sold Egton Manor for £38,000 to Robert Elwes, a wealthy goldsmith from Twickenham. The estate remained in the Elwes family until 1869, passing through several generations: Robert’s son Cary Charles Elwes, his grandson Robert Cary Elwes, and eventually Valentine Dudley Henry Cary Elwes.
The Foster Family
In 1869, Valentine Elwes sold the estate to John Foster, a prosperous mill owner from Queensbury, Bradford. Along with his brothers Johnston Jonas, Abraham Briggs, and John the Younger, Foster purchased the estate at auction as a sporting retreat. The Foster brothers were self-made industrialists and devout Anglicans, having built their wealth in the textile industry.
At the time of purchase, the Egton Estate covered 12,480 acres and cost £155,100—a significant sum in that era. The Fosters initially stayed at Bridgeholme Green while Egton Manor House was under construction.
Egton Manor, completed in 1893, and originally built as a sporting lodge, was built of hammered sandstone with ashlar detailing and slate roofs. Over time, the three elder Foster brothers sold their shares, leaving the youngest, John, as the sole owner. The Fosters were known for their philanthropy, investing in the local community by rebuilding farm structures and establishing St. Hilda’s Church and a new school in Egton.
20th Century
The manor was extended in 1913, featuring additions in herringbone-tooled sandstone. Following John Foster’s death, ownership passed to his son Kenneth, and later to Kenneth’s son Simon. Egton Manor received its Grade II listed status on 19 February 1952. In 1979, it underwent substantial remodelling and partial demolition. Since around 1980, the estate has been operated as a commercial enterprise.
Present Day
Today, Egton Manor remains a centerpiece of the North York Moors National Park, an area celebrated for its outstanding natural beauty. Located about six miles from Whitby, the estate offers activities such as shooting, fishing, and event hosting, including weddings. It is particularly known for the wild salmon that run through the River Esk.
A Brief History of Yorkshire: England’s Historic County
Yorkshire, often referred to as “God’s Own Country,” is the largest historic county in England, located in the region of Northern England. Its history spans millennia, shaped by ancient tribes, Roman legions, Viking settlers, and medieval conflicts. The name “Yorkshire” derives from its historic capital, York, originally known as Eboracum, a major Roman stronghold founded in AD 71.
Roman & Anglo-Saxon Period
Yorkshire was central to Roman Britain, with Eboracum serving as a military base and later the capital of the Roman province of Britannia Inferior. Emperors such as Septimius Severus and Constantius Chlorus died in York, and Constantine the Great was proclaimed emperor there in AD 306.
After the Romans, Yorkshire became part of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Northumbria, with key settlements like Whitby, known for the Synod of Whitby in 664 AD, which aligned the English Church with Roman rather than Celtic practices.
Viking Invasion & Danelaw
In the 9th century, Vikings from Denmark captured York, renaming it Jórvík, and it became a major trading hub within the Danelaw—the area of England under Norse control. The Jórvík Viking Centre in modern York celebrates this Norse heritage.
Medieval Yorkshire
Following the Norman Conquest of 1066, William the Conqueror conducted the brutal Harrying of the North (1069–70) to subdue rebellion, devastating much of Yorkshire. The region was then divided into three Ridings—North Riding, East Riding, and West Riding—administrative divisions that lasted until the 1974 local government reorganization.
Major medieval events include the Wars of the Roses (1455–1487), where Yorkshire’s House of York clashed with Lancashire’s House of Lancaster for the English throne. Key battles include Towton, one of the bloodiest in English history.
Industrial Revolution & Modern Era
During the Industrial Revolution, cities like Leeds, Sheffield, Bradford, and Huddersfield became powerhouses of textile manufacturing, steel production, and engineering. Hull, a major port city on the Humber Estuary, played a vital role in trade and fishing.
Today, Yorkshire is known for its stunning natural landscapes including the Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors, and Peak District, as well as cultural landmarks like Fountains Abbey, Castle Howard, and Scarborough—one of the first seaside resorts in the UK.
Attractions include York Castle Musuem, The National Railway Museum, Stockeld Park, The Shambles, in York city itself, York Minster and the Jorvik Viking Centre.
Legacy
Yorkshire’s rich tapestry includes literary figures such as the Brontë sisters of Haworth, explorer Captain James Cook of Whitby, and political reformers like William Wilberforce of Hull. Its cultural identity remains strong, celebrated annually on Yorkshire Day (August 1st).
