East Yorkshire is home to some of England’s most stunning stately homes, each offering a unique glimpse into the region’s heritage and natural beauty. Whether you’re a history buff, green fingered gardener, or simply want to escape to tranquil surroundings, the stately homes in East Yorkshire offer a fantastic day out.
Step back in time and see the splendour of the Elizabethan, Edwardian and Regency era, discovering special places, unique artefacts and stunning floral displays. Secret walled gardens, ghost stories, and tales of the past all add to the mystique of these magnificent buildings and their beautiful settings. We encourage you to see as many as you can whilst you’re here.
Architecture and art
East Yorkshire's historic houses are iconic symbols of British aristocracy, showcasing ornate facades, expansive estates, and intricate interiors. Just imagine them in their hay day, hosting lavish garden parties and elegant soirées!
Sledmere House was designed by the renowned architect Sir Christopher Wren’s protégé, Sir Robert Smirke. The house is characterised by its symmetrical design and grand facade. The interiors are just as stunning, with elegant rooms filled with exquisite furnishings and fine art.
At Burton Agnes Hall, you'll find a combination of stunning Elizabethan and Jacobean architecture. The hall’s art collection is one of its most impressive features, with works ranging from Old Master paintings to contemporary pieces.
Burton Constable Hall stands out with its elegant combination of Palladian and Georgian architectural styles. The hall is home to an extensive collection of fine art, including portraits, landscapes, and sculptures.
Guided tours
There’s no better way to experience East Yorkshire’s stately homes than with a guided tour.
Sledmere House and Burton Constable Hall both offer regular house tours, giving you the opportunity to explore their grand rooms alongside a helpful guide who can answer any questions you might have. Burton Constable Hall also offers Cobwebs and Cream Tea tours, giving you access to areas not normally seem by members of the public, including the derelict servant attic rooms and the cellars. This is followed up with a delicious cream tea in the Stables Tea Room - the perfect end to a fascinating day!
Burton Agnes Hall offers guided tours to groups of 15 or more people at a small additional charge.
A self-guided audio tour is available at Sewerby Hall.
Seasonal events
Throughout the year, East Yorkshire’s stately homes play host to lots of vibrant events. From snowdrop walks and daffodil trails to music festivals, vintage car gatherings, outdoor cinema and monthly craft fairs, whichever time of year you choose to visit, you're sure to find something exciting taking place. Medieval jousting at Sewerby Hall over the Easter holidays is always a hit with visitors!
Take a look at some of the events coming up at East Yorkshire's stately homes a little further down this page or discover more of what's on across East Yorkshire.
Award-winning gardens
Take a walk through the award-winning gardens at Burton Agnes Hall and discover thousands of plant species, a yew maze and giant outdoor games to add an extra touch of fun. Or head to the nearby woodland which is planted in a peaceful arboretum walk and is carpeted with tens of thousands of snowdrops each February.
The meticulously kept gardens at Sewerby Hall have also received several accolades. Their formal gardens include the elegant Rose Garden, the Walled Garden, and Pleasure Garden, as well as sweeping lawns, with each area thoughtfully planted to highlight different seasons.
Over at Burton Constable Hall you can explore 330 acres of breathtaking, historic grade II listed parkland—widely regarded as the best-documented landscape shaped by Capability Brown! Choose from five scenic walking routes or explore the Wildlife Sculpture Trail and Parkland Waymarker Trail.
A peaceful paradise
Burnby Hall Gardens is a peaceful paradise, perfect for relaxing and reconnecting with nature. Its stunning lakes are home to a National Collection Water Lilies which put on a magnificent display between June and August each year. Wander the lakeside paths and discover the different garden areas which are spread out over 9 acres.
You'll also find plenty of special events taking place at Burnby Hall Gardens too, from snowdrop talks and their Tulip Festival to May Day celebrations, bands and concerts.
Meet up with animal friends
Get up close to animals from all around the world at Sewerby Hall’s zoo. Capuchin monkeys, meerkats, lemurs, alpacas, and donkeys are just part of the gang excited to welcome you! The colony of Humboldt Penguins are always popular too, especially at feeding time when you can gather around their pool and watch them swimming for fish.
Nestled within the grounds of Sledmere House, their Rare Breed Farm Park offers you the chance to meet many rare and endangered breeds. Suffolk Punch horses, Gloucestershire Old Spot pigs, and White Park cattle are all part of the important conservation efforts here. The farm park offers an educational experience for all ages, with the chance to learn about the history, characteristics, and care of these animals.
Play areas
For children, often the most important part of their day out is the play area! Each of our stately homes offers its own unique play facilities, with lots of keep little visitors entertained.
Burton Agnes Hall has a yew maze to explore and giant outdoor games to play with the whole family. A visit to Sledmere House in the summer means there is even more to explore with their maize maze, garden games and woodland play area. At Burton Constable Hall you’ll find a small outdoor play area perfect for Key Stage 1 children, with climbing frames and animal sculptures. In the first courtyard of the historic stable block, there’s also an undercover imaginative play space with a miniature carriage, rocking horses, and a dress-up area, so your little ones can have fun, rain or shine. And at Sewerby Hall children can enjoy playing in the woodland activity area on a zip line, balance beams, stepping stones, and a wobbly bridge.
Food and drink
After all the fun its time to refuel and what could be more inviting than a homemade cake or scone? All of our stately homes have a fantastic food offering and lovely seating areas to enjoy the grounds, but picnics are welcome with plenty of spots on the grounds to enjoy your sandwiches.
Beautiful, historic, family friendly and breathtaking; these are just some of the ways that visitors describe our eclectic mix of stately homes. Why not come and experience them for yourself?
