Bagdale Hall was built in 1516 for the Conyers, then the most important family in Whitby. It was described at the time as being surrounded by green fields, partly bordered on one side by Bagdale Beck and covering an area almost as far up the river as where the high level bridge now crosses it. James Conyers, a bailiff of Whitby lived in the Hall until sometime after being appointed Sergeant-at-arms to King Henry VIII. It was subsequently passed down the through the family and then sold to Nicolas Bushell, father of Captain Browne Bushell who inherited the Hall then married a daughter of Sir Thomas Fairfox, Cromwell’s Chief of Staff. In 1643 her served under his uncle, Sir Hugh Chomley defending Scarborough for Parliament and later after Chomley had surrendered to the Royalists, Bushell re-took the Castle, only later to hand it back to the Royal Forces, resulting in his being arrested by his father-in-law, imprisonment for three years, a trial by the house of Commons and his execution in 1651. Bagdale Hall Has since been sold to Isaac Newton, Whitby merchant, who was believed to be related to Sir Isaac Newton. The house remained in the family for over one hundred years. A Famous London Ophthalmic Surgeon, Henry Powers acquired the house in 1882. It required major restoration, which took two years to complete. During this time Dr Power had parts of the house embellished, including the original fireplaces, which he decorated with Delft tiles and added carves wooden over-mantles and surrounds. These still magnificently enhance several of the rooms.
