THE Constable family of Burton Constable are descended from a Norman knight called Ulbert the Constable. They have been in possession of land at Holderness in East Yorkshire since the 12th century.
The Constables built houses at Burton Constable and nearby Halsham. As the years rolled by the house at Halsham became ruined and they concentrated their efforts into the Burton house.
Rebuilding of Burton Constable was commenced in the 16th century, and 200 years later, in the 18th century it was remodelled by William Constable who engaged the best architects and craftsmen of the day including James Wyatt, Thomas Chippendale and sculptor John Cheere.
William was a collector and his curiosities and scientific instruments are on display today at the house. There are 30 magnificent rooms to view at Burton Constable, all of which come alive and look as though someone lives there.
The Great Hall is magnificent, the Long Gallery breathtaking, the Chinese Room is unique and the Blue Drawing Room a pleasure.
But if you want to see something out of the ordinary for such a grand place go no further than the stables where you will find a sperm whale. Unfortunately the poor creature has been dead for almost 200 years.
This magnificent beast was washed up on the Holderness shore and became the property of the Constables.
After a dissection and examination by a Hull surgeon, the whale was hung from an iron frame and mounted in the grounds. It was articulated and the skeleton could be opened and closed at will for visitors to walk inside.
Today this huge sperm whale skeleton is at rest on the floor of an old stable, but is still an awesome sight to all who dare enter through its prison door in the courtyard of the stables.
Your Route
Leave the car park to go right on to the busy A165 towards Bridlington. In about one mile enter the village of Skirlaugh. At the roundabout in the village turn right onto the B1243 signed to Rise. Pass, or visit, Rise Hall church on your right, although you might find it locked, and at the next signpost keep straight ahead signed to Whitedale and Aldbrough. Keep following signs for Aldbrough, then at the t-junction turn left, signed to Withernwick and Aldbrough.
Soon pass through Withernwick and the Falcon Inn, then leave the village to cycle on a straight road heading towards the coast. At the t-junction turn right on to the B1242 signed to Hull and Withernsea and soon you arrive at the village of Aldbrough with the sea air in your lungs.
In the middle of the village turn right, signed to Carlton and West Newton, along a narrow, bumpy road. Keep following signs for West Newton then, at a three-way junction, keep right, signed on a signpost to West Newton and Sproatley, on to a very narrow road. At the next signpost keep straight ahead signed to Sproatley and Hull. Watch out for gritty, sharp corners along here and eventually you reach a t-junction. Turn right here signed to Marton and Ellerby.
Look out for Burton Constable Hall and follow signs at the entrance to the car park. There the sign directs you on foot to the entrance to the hall and tea rooms, and you will find a sign for cycle parking nearby.
When you have seen the magnificent hall and visited the sperm whale, exit the car park as directed. At the road, turn left, then left again in a couple of hundred yards, signed to Old Ellerby along a very narrow, potholed road with gritty, tight corners.
At the t-junction, go left signed to Old Ellerby, pass through the village with its pub, The Blue Bell.
At the t-junction go right on to the busy A165 signed to Bridlington and in about one mile return to the car park on your right.
The facts
Distance: 20miles (32km.) Terrain: Flat with mainly quiet, narrow roads.
Best map: OS Landranger 107.
Start/grid ref: Rail Trail car park off the A165 near Skirlaugh, ref 153376.
Refreshments: Garden centre on A165 near the start/finish, tea rooms at Burton Constable Hall, odd pub along the way.
Guide book: Burton Constable Hall published by the Burton Constable Foundation is available on entry and is an excellent publication.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here