that Darcy "swept away the complex roofing [except the towers], removed the porch and the projecting blocks in the corners of the wings and completely refenestrated the house". The architect for these changes appears to have been William Wakefield. Darcy also remodelled Aske's somewhat swampy setting, creating the lake, the temple [1740 by Daniel Garrett] and a large "Gothick" garden building to the north of the Hall. In 1763 Sir Lawrence Dundas, 1st Baronet purchased the house for £45,000. In partnership with his architect, John Carr, Dundas sought to transform Aske Hall into one of the great 18th-century houses of the North, "a fitting monument" and pendant to a man who was himself known as "the Nabob of the North". The newly refurbished Aske was to furnish him with a "suitable seat for a new dynasty and a controlling influence in the parliamentary borough of Richmond". Initially work was concentrated on completing the offices, stables, bakehouse, wash-house and laundry. The Dundas Papers also record that Carr demolished the rear section of the dwelling while leaving the hall range and wings intact. According to Giles Worsley: "In its place, grouped round an open courtyard, was built a new kitchen, scullery and a range of servants' rooms, including a steward's parlour, a housekeeper's room and a strongroom, together with family rooms and a staircase." Thomas Dundas, 2nd Earl of Zetland (1795–1873), made "substantial but essentially cosmetic" alterations to Aske Hall. "A faint Jacobean trim was added to the front, with a balcony on each of the wings and cresting above them and over the centre of the house." The latter bore the arms of the new master of Aske. "On the west front the Jacobean tower was remodelled, its square turrets being replaced by round ones, while the three bays immediately to its left may also have been replaced. The architect for the alterations was probably Ignatius Bonomi." Bonomi was probably also responsible for one of the west lodges, which is dated 1847. The estate then descended to Lawrence Dundas, 3rd Marquess of Zetland, who died in 1989 and was succeeded by Mark Dundas, 4th Marquess of Zetland, the current owner. Aske Hall appeared as the background in early Ted & Ralph scenes of the TV series The Fast Show. The house is a Grade I listed building. It is open to the public (for guided tours only) on a very limited