Normanby Hall gave us an interesting (and extended!) day out and the weather was very kind.

We enjoyed a specially provided lunch at the nearby Golf Club, followed by a guided tour of the Victorian Walled Garden and a tour of the Hall itself, which is set in 300 acres of beautiful parkland, woodland, deer park and gardens.

The Victorian Walled Garden first built in 1817 was restored and opened to the public in 1997. It is the only totally period-correct Victorian walled garden in Britain.

Everything grown in the garden dates from 1901 or earlier. The gardeners use nineteenth century techniques wherever possible.

Glasshouses line the one-acre garden on its warmest south-facing wall. The remainder is divided into four large vegetable plots by broad gravel paths. Victorian varieties of vegetables are grown throughout the season.

Sue Hoy, the Head Gardener and our guide, was very knowledgeable and interesting. Because of the size of our group she was kind enough to take us round in two groups.

After a very enjoyable day out, it was quite a shock to have our snoozing on the return coach trip awakened by cries of smoke! Everyone had to disembark as quickly as possible and sit on the wooded embankment above the hard shoulder of the motorway.

Very quickly the Police and Fire-Service attended and no harm was done. Whilst awaiting a replacement coach we enjoyed a very fine sunset on the motorway just outside Leeds and even more opportunity to chat to each other about the wonderful day out in sunny Scunny.