Sewerby Hall & Gardens

You get the full stately home experience here without the stuffiness. Sewerby Hall sits on the cliffs just north of Bridlington, and it's properly worth the detour if you're camping nearby - most of the holiday parks are within a couple of miles, so it's an easy morning or afternoon out.

The hall itself is an 18th-century Georgian affair with some genuine character. You can wander the rooms and pick up the family history - there's enough detail to keep you interested without feeling like a school trip. The gardens are the real draw, though. They're expansive and well-maintained, with proper views out toward the coast. Kids won't be bored here - there's space to run about, and the grounds are the kind of place where a two-hour visit flies by.

Admission costs a few quid, and it's free to wander the grounds if you're just after the gardens. Allow a good three hours if you want to do both the house and the gardens properly. Summer's the obvious choice, but spring and early autumn can be quieter and equally pleasant.

If you're staying at Bridlington Caravan Club or The Old Mill just down the road, this is an easy way to break up a week of seaside time. It works well as a half-day stop before heading into Bridlington town itself for fish and chips. The setting on the headland gives it a bit more than your average country house visit.