£2.6million work to restore the grandeur of Sewerby Hall
which was sold in 1714 to John Graeme and was almost rebuilt by John Graeme between the years 1714 and 1720.
In 1779 the peace of Sewerby was disturbed by the Battle of Flamborough Head which was fought in clear view of the hall between the ships of the Royal Navy and the United States Ships under the command of John Paul Jones.
The cliffs at Sewerby and Bridlington were lined with spectators but fearing an invasion the then Mrs Graeme, taking her jewellery and ‘the family’ silver left for York.
The hall was considerably altered around 1807 by John Graeme’s nephew and heir, also known as John Graeme, with the final alterations being made by Yarborough Graeme in 1848.
Yarborough was a bit of a lad, “a playboy spendthrift, a womaniser who went to Argentina with his floosie and was promptly disinherited,” said Rob.
The Graemes were a sporting family – particularly horse racing.
If that was life upstairs, there was also plenty going on downstairs. A video in what was one of the servants’ rooms gives a glimpse into what it would have been like in the early part of the 20th century.
According to the 1910 census, there were: three housemaids, three ladies’ maids, a scullery maid, kitchen maid, housekeep- er-cook (a Mrs Henderson withthe ubiquitous scowl on her face), footman and butler.
Sweeping, scouring, scrubbing and skivving were the lot of the ‘domestics’ with their half-day off on Sunday and dreaming of opening a seaside cafe.
The house was in the Graeme family estate until 1934 when the family sold the house and grounds to the Bridlington Corporation who renamed it Sewerby Hall.
On June 1 1936 the Hall was opened to the public for the first time, by the aviation heroin, Amy Johnson. Today, the hall has a special section devoted to the heroic flying achievements of Amy Johnson, which includes many tro- phies and memorabilia and a video of her solo flight to Australia.
The hall was converted into a hospital during the Second World War and has also been used as a teacher training centre.
“Downton Abbey has helped us to raise awareness of the hall and it helps people interpret the house because they can imagine those characters in the series living here,” said Rob.
Outside, the grounds are home to a zoo, aviary, putting course, a bandstand, walled garden and it even promises you a rose garden.
There is a season of music in the Orangery and breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea can be taken in the Clock Tower Cafe.