THOSE of you who may have previously visited Duncombe Park, Helmsley, which opens for the season tomorrow, might notice some changes this year.

"There used to be a hut where you had to pay," says Anne Hawkins, who has newly taken on the responsibility for the Duncombe Park Tea Room.

"But the hut has now been removed, so you can simply drive straight up the road to the Parkland Centre, park, and eat in the Tea Room or look round the gift shop without having to pay admission."

Anne, who already has the Bridge Street Tearooms in Helmsley, will be open for business at the Parkland Centre from 10.30-5.30pm, Sunday to Thursday, with last orders taken at 5.15pm.

She is keen to point out that everything is prepared on the premises. Hot lunches of roast beef and Yorkshire puddings, gammon or scampi are on offer, plus homemade scones, cakes, biscuits and puddings. Alternatively, you can choose from a selection of sandwiches, salads, open sandwiches or jacket potatoes with a variety of fillings.

Duncombe Park is the historic home of Lord and Lady Feversham. Left unoccupied by previous generations for 60 years, they returned in 1986 and undertook extensive restoration of the buildings and interiors to create a home for their family, who are direct descendents of its first occupant, Thomas Duncombe.

Tours of the house, lasting one-and-a-half hours, are offered every hour on the hour between 11am and 4pm and give visitors the chance to sample the house's grand yet homely interior while viewing the many original family portraits and Lord Feversham's own collection of English and Continental furniture.

Outside, the gardens are said to embody the 18th century principle of simplicity and greatness, and have been painstakingly maintained in this spirit.

The broadwalks within the formal 30-acre green garden to the east side of the house offer breathtalking views of the surrounding countryside, while elsewhere some access is restricted due to the foot and mouth crisis, and the surrounding parkland is closed. Disinfecting mats and baths are in place, together with electric fences along the length of the drive. It is also not currently permitted to exercise dogs in the parkland or in the gardens.

In light of present circumstances, admission charges have been reduced for adults by £1 and for children by 50p. The amended prices are now as follows: House and Gardens - adults £5, children £2.50. Gardens only - adults £3, children £1.50. Opening times: Sun-Thurs (April, Oct) - House and Gardens open 10.30-6pm. For further details, please call (01439) 770213.

Duncombe Park regrets that the Craft Fair schedule for Easter has been cancelled.

Updated: 14:19 Thursday, April 12, 2001