The historic town of Bedale is a great spot to stop off at for a visit, with a packed Bonfire Night display and a ‘top notch’ Sunday roast
As the nights draw in and the chill sets in, folk are buzzing with anticipation for cosy wraps and winter revelry excitement. The charming Georgian market town of Bedale in North Yorkshire is all set to embrace the frosty weather with an impressive Bonfire Night extravaganza.
The fireworks and bonfire at Bedale Park promise a dazzling spectacle, framed by Bedale Hall – a stately Grade-I listed building dating to the 17th century. Scheduled for Saturday, November 2, everyone’s invited to a fantastic display choreographed to music, complete with tempting food stalls and treats on offer.
Bedale Hall itself is perched on what was once castle grounds, though sadly no ruins remain from that medieval stronghold, reports MyLondon. This erstwhile manor house was revamped into an elegant Palladian abode by Henry Peirse, the progeny of the illustrious Peirse lineage from Lazenby and Hutton Bonville.
Post his grand European “Grand Tour” in 1730, Henry massively expanded the house, practically doubling its earlier footprint. In World War II, the hall was commandeered by the War Department, becoming home to military operations for a period.
Moreover, Bedale boasts one of the finest Sunday roasts you can find around. The Millbank Arms has earned raves on Tripadvisor for its top-notch eats, proudly flaunting a full five-star rating on the platform.
One previous diner raved: “Sunday Lunch – absolutely delicious plenty of piping hot veg roast potatoes and extra Yorkshire pudding – fabulous Sunday roast – with lovely glass of red wine.” Another customer wrote: “Plenty of top notch Sunday roast left us too full for dessert.”
A third reviewer commented: “We decided to book a table in the restaurant for Sunday lunch , this too was amazing and there was a very wide choice of roasts and other options, I had the garlic king prawns and my husband had the mushrooms, followed by roast chicken and my husband had a curry.”
In addition to the great Sunday lunch, the menu also features dishes like Breaded Whitby scampi, Grilled Cajun chicken sandwich, and Gammon steak and a fried egg.
No trip to Bedale would be complete without a visit to Thorp Perrow, a stunning country estate set amidst 100 acres of picturesque woodland gardens. Established by the Ropner family, Thorp Perrow is home to its own breath-taking Arboretum, which was once the ‘secret garden’ of former owner Sir Leonard Ropner.
As the seasons change, the estate transforms, with snowdrops and crocuses carpeting the woodland floor in early spring, giving way to vibrant hydrangeas in the summer. For a fun-filled family day out, head to the Big Sheep and Little Cow Farm, where you can indulge in cuddling adorable animals to your heart’s content.
To delve deeper into Bedale’s rich history, embark on the town’s heritage trail, which will guide you through the church and castle. You’ll also discover The Leech House near the river, a place thought to have been used by a local apothecary for storing leeches – yes, leeches – which were utilised to draw blood from patients.
St Gregory’s Church houses a painting of St George defeating the dragon, along with a stone Viking Age grave marker. During the Civil War, Puritans wreaked havoc on the church and its Catholic relics – primarily the statues.
And when hunger strikes, Bedale boasts an array of eateries to satisfy your cravings. For more traditional pub food, The Old Black Swan dishes up GIANT Yorkshire puddings with either the roast of the day with all the trimmings, trio of sausages and mash, homemade savoury mince, veggie curry, or homemade chilli con carne.
Bedale is the ideal pit stop if you’re seeking a small detour on your journey to the Dales.
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