Sandbeck Park
Sandbeck Park is the home of the Earl of Scarborough whose family has lived on the estate since the 16th Century.
The name Sandbeck derives pretty obviously from sandy stream. The earliest mention of a settlement there is in 1148. The manor was given by Idonea Vipont, daughter and heir of John de Busli to the Monks of Roche Abbey (she died in 1334).
After the Dissolution of the Monasteries, Sandbeck was sold to a London syndicate for £800. You can bet that was a bit of property speculation. In 1545 the manor was bought by Robert Saunderson. His son Nicholas built a house at Sandbeck. The Saunderson did very well for themselves becoming knights, baronets and viscounts. The titles died out with the death of James Saunderson in 1723 and the estate passed to a Mr Lumley who was related to the Saundersons through his mother, who married the First Earl of Scarborough. He took the surname Saunderson and became Third Earl of Scarborough in 1739.
The original hall was demolished and the present house was built the Fourth Earl. It dates from about 1760 and was designed by James Paine. The south front is in the Grecian style and the house has an elegant and commodious interior. There are the usual outbuildings, stable block and chapel.
At this time the estate contained the ruins of Roche Abbey which were included in the landscaped gardens created by Capability Brown. Some of the Roche Abbey ruins were demolished at this time and the site levelled. The lakes on the estate were created at about the same time.
Unlike Firbeck Hall it seems as if Sandbeck is a loved house.
There are sometimes special open days but I have not seen any details recently. The present Earl is a supporter of the charity Safe@Last and the grounds of Sandbeck Park are used for fundraising events.