Review - Day visit to Seaton Delaval - 15th September 2022

It was a lovely sunny autumn day as Andrew, our coach driver, took us first to Wynyard Hall Garden centre, near Stockton. Here we enjoyed coffee and cake, or scone chosen from a delicious selection. Some of us had time to browse in the farm shop, garden centre or stroll in the neatly kept walled garden.

Next, we headed further north through the Tyne Tunnel to Seaton Delaval Hall near Whitley Bay. Most of us headed straight to the cafe for lunch. Others sat in the sun to eat packed lunches or items bought in the Wynyard Cafe. At 1.30pm we met Sue English, a National Trust volunteer guide who was extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic. She took us on a two-hour tour of the Hall.

The Hall was commissioned by a naval officer, Admiral George Delaval, designed by Sir John Vanburgh and built between 1718 and 1728. Sadly, neither man lived to see the completion of the hall which passed to Admiral George’s nephew, Captain Francis Blake Delaval. He lived at the hall with his wife and 12 children. This generation were infamous in Georgian society for their love of partying, theatre, gambling, and practical jokes and became known as the “Gay Delavals”.

During the next 100 years, the fortunes of the family fluctuated and extensions to the hall were planned but not all were built. In 1822 there was a chimney fire which spread to the roof beams and burned the Hall almost to destruction. The Hall stood for 40 years without a roof, deteriorating badly until Newcastle architect John Dobson was hired to shore up the hall. These 19th century repairs are still visible as much of the hall is still unrestored and empty of content.

The East wing was used in the second world war as a prisoner of war camp. In the 1950s Lord and Lady Hastings, who were members of the family, returned to the West wing of the hall and applied for grants to commence the restoration of the main hall. The family still have apartments in the West wing, now leased from the National Trust. The Trust took over the hall and contents, some of which were taken in lieu of death duties, in 2009. After receiving over £7 million in grants, restoration work started in 2019. The hall has been reroofed, damp proofing is in place and the basements (which were once open to the elements, damp and full of growing plants) are dry.

Throughout the hall there are many paintings of family members and the building itself. The National Trust have depicted the hall as a “multi-layered interactive experience” to reflect the gay Delaval’s love of theatre and practical jokes. There is an upside-down room where furniture hangs from the ceiling, a replica Georgian theatre and various sound effects throughout.

Before our return journey we could view the tapestry room, the rooms containing furniture and other artefacts, the Saxon church in the grounds and the lovely walled garden overlooking a parterre.

Many thanks must go to Catherine Brophy for organising such an interesting visit, Sue English, our guide, and to Andrew for driving us so well.

Rosemary Anderton

Review - Trip to Ormesby Hall and Nunnington Hall - 4th August 2022

A warm sunny day greeted us as Ingleby’s full coach, driven by Mick, left York at 9.00 am. Our group, led by Catherine, made its way to our first destination, Ormesby Hall arriving at around 10.30. On arrival we were greeted by the assistant gardener who gave us a brief outline of the gardens and the house. Before embarking on our visit to the house and the gardens our group enjoyed an excellent selection of cakes and refreshments in the cafe, served by very helpful and friendly staff.

Suitably refreshed some of the group headed for the gardens, others of the group made their way to the house.

Ormesby Hall has been the home of the Pennyman family since the early 17th century, the most famous of whom were perhaps Col. James and Ruth Pennyman who opened their home to local arts groups and actors.

Visitors to the hall could be excused for thinking the exterior austere, whilst the interior is welcoming and deceptively spacious. Each room displays possessions of various branches of the Pennyman family who have lived there, together with many portraits and family photos. On the top floor was a model railway staffed by a knowledgeable volunteer who set Southern Railways trains running through tunnels and villages. In another room YANT members had a chance to take the controls themselves and operate a windmill or an engine.

The gardens, though small, were accompanied by a natural play area, a woodland walk, a meadow with newly planted fruit trees and a bird hide, explored by many of our group. After a very enjoyable visit we re-joined the coach for our next destination, Nunnington Hall. On the way we stopped off for a brief visit to Helmsley.

Nunnington Hall, a 17th century manor house on the banks of the river Rye, unlike Ormesby, has been occupied by many different families over the years, some of whom had their portraits painted and these can still be seen in various parts of the house, the most well-known of which is perhaps a picture of William Rutson on a grey hunter, by John Ferneley. Nunnington is famous for its collection of miniatures in the attic, together with a display of folklore. There are also several peacocks in the grounds, one of which made his presence felt by eating part of the writer’s lunch! Very friendly and obviously used to visitors.

After a very enjoyable visit we joined our coach and made our way back to York arriving at around 6.00 pm, a little later than scheduled due to a cricket match at Clifton Park. This did not, however, detract from a lovely and interesting day out.

Janet Harper