May 10th, 2009
On our way back from Beningbrough Hall (read the review) we decided to stop by Sutton Park, which we had last visited during Easter 2008. It was covered in snow last time (see the pictures), so this time, we looked forward to walking around the grounds in relative warmth. Having paid our £3.50 each to enter the grounds (you have to pay £3 more to enter the house), we followed the Woodland trail. Starting out across a field that had a number of tourists caravans parked up we followed the trail through the woods. This was the same trail as the Easter hunt, followed last time in the snow. The ground was dry this time and the trees were really green. The trail brings you back into the main grounds where we explored the gardens, the ice house and took a peep at the falconry display in the walled garden (access would have cost another £5 which we decided was a bit of a rip off).
We kind of got the feeling that this property which is privately owned is only ‘reluctantly’ opened to the public as a means of bringing money in to support it’s obvious expensive upkeep. We were surprised to see that picnics are banned from anywhere in the grounds except the children’s play area (can you imagine the noise), so unlike Beningbrough Hall where many a family were enjoying picnics in the grounds, this one had little life to it.
It’s worth a quick stop off if you’re passing, but we felt offered little value for the entrance fee.
Pryordurkin rating 2 stars.
Posted in Homes Parks and Gardens