I really enjoyed the garden.  It is one of the best I have visited and the house was really interesting too. It is still lived in by the family and has never been up for public sale since it was built in 1173. The family living there has changed from time to time over the years due to the female line sometimes inheriting the home. It is now owned and managed by a charitable trust. The original manor house is situated next door and managed by English Heritage.

I was persuaded that it would be a good idea to visit Bridlington for some fish and chips. It was only when I got there that I remembered I wasn’t that fond of Bridlington, especially in the rain! This meant another quick change of plan and a return to York where a good evening meal was had in The Olive Tree which was vaguely Mediterranean in style. I had sea bass followed by Amaretto sponge. Mmmm!

I almost forgot to mention that on the journey to Burton Agnes I got stuck behind very slow traffic. So when I spotted a sign to Bishop Wilton church, which said it was of interest I decided to do a detour. It was a very interesting church and the minister arrived and turned on the lights to show off the most interesting features and give a little bit of history of the church and surrounding area. He mentioned that the painted stars on the ceiling were made of solid lead and that two of them had fallen off. He produced them and they weighed quite heavy.  He then mentioned that one had fallen right by the pulpit!!! But I suppose the pulpit is quite close to the organ and it’s vibrations…