01/05/2026
Have you been on a 'mouse hunt' in Goathland church? Pop in and find all of the carved mice next time you stay with us at Halmer Grange Guest House, located just behind the church. 🐁
Where have you found them? I've made a map of elusive 'Mouseman' mice carved into half-hidden places in North Yorkshire to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Robert Thompson’s birth on 7th May. The Mouseman lived in Kilburn near Thirsk and worked in the family carpentry business. When undergoing an apprenticeship near Leeds he travelled weekly through Ripon and enjoyed spending time in Ripon Cathedral where he appreciated the fifteenth century carvings and craftsmanship. That was part of his inspiration.
Many years later he was carving an altar rail one day, bemoaning his poverty with a colleague, saying they were 'as poor as a church mouse'. According to his great grandson, "he had this idea of a church mouse gnawing away and no one knew it was there, so thought it was a good idea to use it as a trademark". From that moment on, he carved a small mouse on every piece he made, and became known to future generations as 'the Mouseman'.
His tiny carved mice can be found all over Yorkshire, particularly in churches and older pubs as well as on oak furniture and cheeseboards which have found their way across the world to collectors who prize them for their tactile feel and increasing value. Their source can be found in Kilburn at the Robert Thompson workshop or "House of the Mouse". There's a viewing gallery in the workshop so you can see the skilled craftspeople at work.
Perhaps part of the charm is that his mice are rarely in the same position so you have to hunt for them a little. They could be on a table leg or the underside of a chair so there's a burst of pleasure when you spot one, knowing not everyone will.
Look carefully and you'll be able to find them all over the Yorkshire Dales, often in churches. Take a look at the pews, choir stalls and chairs in Hubberholme church or at the rood loft and oak pews, or in the church at Bolton Abbey where you'll find the distinctive mouse carving on the Bishop's Chair and board listing previous Priors. I was delighted to recently spot the little mouse on the lychgate by the cemetery at Greenhow.
Not all the mice are in churches. Look carefully anywhere you find heavier oak furniture and you may discover a hidden mouse carvings such as on the bar stools and bar at the The Punch Bowl Inn in Low Row, and Stone House Hotel in Wensleydale.
Ampleforth Abbey houses one of the largest known collections of Mouseman furniture. To mark the 150th anniversary, they are hosting several events between 2nd – 10th May (pls check details before your visit). Family-Friendly Mouseman Trails can be collected from the Visitor Centre. Special Mouseman Tours will help you explore the collection and learn about Robert Thompson’s life and legacy.
If you’d like to see or own a piece, Tennants Fine Art Auctioneers in Leyburn are the leading specialists. They are hosting a dedicated 150th Anniversary Sale on June 13th, 2026. You can preview the lots on Thursday 11th June and Friday 12th June (10am–4pm), and on the morning of the sale from 8am. There’s also a special Talk & Lunch: On Thursday 25th June, Mouseman specialist Diane Sinnott will host a talk and lunch in The Garden Rooms at Tennants offering insights into iconic early pieces like the Hutch, the evolution of the Monk’s Chair, and the work of master carvers like George Weightman and Stan Dodds.
You can find my map of the North Yorkshire Mouseman carvings I know about (they'll be more!) here, although even when you know the locations you'll still have to do quite a bit of hunting to actually find them! https://www.yorkshiretreasures.co.uk/blog/years-of-the-mouseman
Photo: thanks to Ampleforth Abbey
