Burton Agnes Hall

Burton Agnes is an Elizabethan hall en route from Driffield to Bridlington. It is set in the village of the same name and surrounded by arable farming land, woodland and interesting historic small villages and churches. The house belongs to the Cunliffe-Lister family and it has been in their hands for many generations. Hence the homely feel as you enter the the main entrance to begin a gentle self guided tour of the house. With the aid of a leaflet and discreet arrows you are taken from rooms to corridors and up and down stairways to view the family eclectic art collection and the tasteful Christmas decorations, planned and presented by members of the family, guides, gardeners and background staff. There is no single theme running through the Hall except good taste and exceptional use of products from the Estate walled garden and woodlands. Each room is decorated according to its name. For example the White Drawing Room has Sycamore branches with white twisted pearlised paper snowflakes, white cyclamen and paperwhite daffodils. The King's bedroom is adorned with Oak stands, conifer branches and glittering reindeers giving a truly masculine flavour to its magnificent Four poster bed and drapes. Every display uses branches and in some cases full trees from the estate and decorations have been crocheted and knitted by talented staff and family. Windind our way through Echium seed heads decorated with silver and white stars, illuminated wicker spheres and lighted Bamboo teepees we find ourselves in the sparkling and glittering Long Gallery. Without the seasonal decor this is a wonderful room crammed with paintings, modern art installations and decorated cushions. With the seasonal decor of Young Walnut trees hung with huge paper balls of purple and orange lit by golden lights it is a sight to behold. The addition of Santa's Grotto and the fireside scene made by pupils from the local primary school is the icing on the cake. Burton Agnes have made a spectacular job of sharing their family Christmas with their visitors and it surpasses those created by various other stately homes within the region. Well done and well worth the visit which we completed by entering the walled garden and getting lost in the maze!!!! There is an excellent cafe with a wide range of food to suite all tastes and good toilet facilities. Several shops selling seasonal decorations, plants grown in the greenhouses and local foodstuffs to complete a good day out.