THE house and gardens which inspired the Bronte novel Jane Eyre are to open to the public.
Sir James and Lady Graham will open their 18th Century home at Norton Conyers, near Ripon, on Sunday, in aid of the British Red Cross.
The visit of Charlotte Bronte in 1839 immortalised the house. The aspiring novelist was so taken by the surroundings that she was compelled to write the opening chapters of Jane Eyre.
The house opens at 2pm and admission is £2.50 for adults, free for children.
On the same day, Millgate House, in Richmond, will allow the public to look round. In 1995, it beat 3,000 entries to win the Royal Society's garden of the year award.
Red Cross fundraiser Andrew Brown said: "The British Red Cross open gardens programme is growing year-on-year, becoming an ever more popular way for people to enjoy their Sunday."
He said Yorkshire Water was supporting the events.
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