A STATELY HOME near York which has ancient regal links and a place in racing history is to play its part in welcoming visitors to Royal Ascot in the city.

Aldby Park, at Buttercrambe, which is owned by Mark and Alice Winn, will be available to let to racegoers for the big event next year for about £250 each per night.

The magnificent mansion was built in 1726 by John Brewster Darley in the Palladian style, and is on the site of the moated Anglo-Saxon palace of King Edwin and Queen Ethelburga.

It was at Buttercrambe that King Harold slept in a bed for the last time before the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066, and his death a few days later at Hastings.

In the early 18th century it was the home of Darley Arabian, one of the first Arab stallions to be brought to Britain, which played an important role in siring the line of English thoroughbreds which are racing today.

Four double bedrooms are up for grabs at Aldby Park, and a team of caterers will be on hand to serve breakfast and dinner.

The mansion, which has been restored after it suffered extensive damage in a major fire in 1999, is 30 minutes from York Racecourse and has "plenty of room for a helicopter to land".

The Evening Press has previously reported that the owners of Sutton Park - the historic home of Sir Reginald and Lady Sheffield, eight miles north of York - had also been put up to let over Ascot week.

Updated: 09:16 Saturday, July 24, 2004