Sewerby Hall and Gardens

About the museum

The Georgian core of Sewerby Hall was built between 1714 and 1720 by John Greame, and later owners added to it in 1808 and again in the 1830s, 1840s and 1890s. The Grade I listed house stands on the cliff top near Bridlington, within grounds that include formal gardens, an orangery and a former courtyard stable block that now holds the cafe.

Bridlington Corporation bought the house in 1934. The Hull-born aviator Amy Johnson, famous for her solo flight from England to Australia, was invited to open the hall to the public on 1 June 1936. In 1958 her family donated memorabilia, which remains on permanent display in two dedicated rooms, one of which shows a short film about her record-breaking flight.

A complete restoration in 2013 and 2014 re-presented the house as an Edwardian country home around 1910, furnished with pieces lent by the Victoria and Albert Museum and other collections. Visitors can see the servants' wing with its working coal-fired kitchen range, a nursery with Edwardian toys and, on request, a display of mayoral regalia. East Riding of Yorkshire Council runs the estate, which also has a zoo and a children's adventure playground.

Highlights

• Amy Johnson collection in two dedicated rooms, with a film of her flight to Australia
• Edwardian country house interiors with furnishings lent by the Victoria and Albert Museum
• Servants' wing with a working coal-fired kitchen range
• Nursery with a collection of Edwardian toys
• Orangery and gardens above the cliffs overlooking Bridlington Bay
• Mayoral regalia display and a recreated Mayor's Parlour, shown on request

Permanent exhibitions

• Amy Johnson collection – Memorabilia of the Hull-born aviator Amy Johnson in two rooms, one showing a short film of her record-breaking flight to Australia.
• The Edwardian house – Rooms restored to show a country house around 1910, including the servants' wing with its kitchen and the nursery with Edwardian toys.
• Mayoral regalia and the Mayor's Parlour – Regalia from former local authorities with a recreated Mayor's Parlour, open on request in small groups.

Founded

1936

Operated by

East Riding of Yorkshire Council

Admission & discounts

Prices are for the house only (adult 4.75 pounds, child 3.75 pounds), which is open at weekends in the winter season; the zoo costs the same. Entry to the gardens is free from 28 September 2026 to 23 October 2026 and again from 2 November 2026 to 19 March 2027; prices for the winter season from November are still to be confirmed. There is no concession rate. Annual passes are sold; members of the Historic Houses Association and Yorkshire's Great Houses, Castles and Gardens enter free, and National Art Pass holders receive 50 per cent off standard admission. Discounted paid admission is available with a valid parking ticket from the paid car parks.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description

The house and estate are described as disability-friendly, but there are some steps, especially on the bark-surfaced Woodland Walk, and the path from the car park to the house is about 200 metres long with a slight incline. Motorised wheelchairs and scooters are not allowed in the house or Orangery; hand-pushed wheelchairs can be borrowed there on a first-come basis. Accessible entrance at the rear of the house; the upper-floor display is reached by lift. Blue Badge bays are in the main car park. Accessible toilets are in the Orangery and courtyard, and a Changing Places unit in the courtyard uses a RADAR key. Hearing loops are available in several buildings, audio descriptions of the house and Amy Johnson exhibition can be borrowed, and handling items can be arranged in advance. A visual story and a Neurodiverse Borrow Box with ear defenders are available. The venue is dementia friendly.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

Children can dress up as Edwardian servants or the Greame family, meet costumed interpreters and play with toys in the nursery. The estate has a zoo, a children's adventure playground and holiday events, and an activity book with crayons is sold in the shop. Prams are not allowed in the house, though they can be left at the accessible entrance. Baby-change facilities are in the courtyard and Orangery toilets.

Getting there & parking

Use postcode YO15 1ED for the car park entrance. A cliff-top walk leads from Bridlington's north promenade to Sewerby.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi is offered across the estate (network EastRidingFreeWiFi). The Clock Tower Cafe serves hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, soup and cakes, with a children's menu and a dog-friendly seating area; an ice cream parlour opens on busy days. The Stables and Welcome Centre gift shops sell local produce and gifts. Bicycle racks are by the pay stations.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 120 guests.

The Orangery seats 120 in theatre style, 80 in classroom style and 40 as a boardroom; a training room, board room and Goodin room are also hired by the hour. Weddings are offered, and catering and marquee hire are available.

Plan your visit