Mum’s gone to Bridlington: Sewerby Hall

“I think these fish and chips might be the best I’ve ever tasted”

“Better than the ones we had in Seahouses?”

“Hmm, it’s a close call but this fish just melts in the mouth.”

The setting probably helped. We were sitting on a bench overlooking the sea, just east of Bridlington (you can just see the benches in the above photo) and everyone was happy and relaxed. Piping hot fish and chips from recommended chip shop, Sewerby Fisheries, were devoured from the paper wrapping, the sea air adding extra saltiness to the meal. It was the perfect end to the day

It had begun early as we picked up Rory’s girlfriend, Juliana, from the station at Seamer so she could join us for our little holiday. Once she had settled herself into our gorgeous accommodation, High Barn Cottages, we set off for Sewerby Hall which was only minutes away from our cottage: the ideal choice for a lazy afternoon in the sunshine. A Grade I listed building, constructed in 1714 by the Greame family, Sewerby Hall has had numerous extensions over the years: a stable block, portico and The Orangery. It’s an impressive house, but an intimate, charming one. Bridlington Council purchased it in 1934 and it was opened to the public in 1936 by famous local aviator, Amy Johnson. There is a fascinating collection of memorabilia pertaining to Amy, donated by her father in 1958: it was wonderful to see what a dare-devil she was – truly an inspiring young woman.

Whilst the house has so much to offer, having been restored using furniture from the Victoria and Albert Museum, we were keen to make the most of the warm weather so made a beeline for the zoo. It’s a tiddly zoo but we did see lemurs, alpacas, capuchin monkeys and some very adorable Humbolt penguins.

Although we only had big children with us, the Sewerby Estate is a very family-friendly place with nature detective activities and an outdoor games area. I don’t think our 19 year olds would have been allowed onto the adventure playground but we did pick up some golf clubs and, paying a donation rather than a fee (maybe it was the end of the day and the chap had gone home) we played 18 holes on the putting green where I executed a superb hole-in-one fairly early on. My celebratory dance was enjoyed by a few onlookers who, I’m sure, were most impressed by my obvious talent.

Visitors can also play on a nine-hole pitch and putt course plus, at certain times, they have foot golf which, I gather, is a fairly new hybrid sport, a combination of football and golf. I wonder if that’s the sport I’ve been waiting for: the one I’ve been hard-wired to excel in? I’ll never know.The Clock Tower Cafe would have been a perfect place for a bite to eat if we weren’t already late for a pressing engagement with a battered cod. We said goodbye to this tree (pictured below) , who seemed to be whispering something to us – probably ‘What a remarkable swing you have there, have you thought of taking up the game?’ – and made our way to the cliff top…

Sewerby Hall and Gardens, Church Lane, Sewerby, Bridlington, East Riding of Yorkshire, YO15 1EA. Tel: 01262 673769