The village of Sutton-on-the-Forest
Sutton-on-the-Forest is one of the prettiest villages in North Yorkshire. Dominated by Georgian brick cottages which sit back from the broad main street, the wide grass verges are tree-lined with oak, elm, horse chestnut and ash.
At the heart of the village is All Hallows, the Anglican church which is renowned for its wall-mounted memorials to the Harland Family; excellent nineteenth century stained glass and tall mahogany pulpit used by Anglo-Irish novelist and cleric, Laurence Sterne. Sterne, (author of Tristram Shandy (which was written when he was living in the village), was vicar in Sutton and nearby Stillington in the mid-eighteenth century.
The original name for the village is just Sutton, which translates as simply ‘South Village’. It later became Sutton sub Galtres and is now Sutton-on-the-Forest. The forest referenced in the name is the Royal Forest of Galtres, a medieval hunting forest established by the Norman Kings which at one time extended to the very walls of York.
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Walking / Cycling / Running Routes around Sutton-on-the-Forest
Sutton Park
Just opposite Pear Tree House, Sutton Park is the private family home of Sir Reginald Sheffield, father of Samantha Cameron, the wife of former British prime minister David Cameron.
The house recently starred in the BBC TV series, Gentleman Jack as ‘Crow Nest’ the home of Anne Walker, (Anne Lister’s love interest).
The eighteenth century house, built in 1730 for Philip Harland, and well-known for its sumptuous interiors and beautiful terraced gardens is open to the public for a limited period every year and well worth a visit.
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Locations used in Gentlemen Jack
Screen Yorkshire – Sutton Park
Miss Daisy’s Tea Rooms
Just across the road from Pear Tree House is a lovely café in the grounds of Sutton Park. Miss Daisy’s Tearooms is a family-run, fully licensed tearooms which serves homemade and locally sourced food. The fresh-baked scones are simply delicious!
The café is open Wednesdays to Sundays 10am – 4pm
Be sure to say that you are staying at Pear Tree House when you visit – we like to support our local businesses and your custom will be very much appreciated.
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Paradiso on the Forest
Just a quarter of a mile outside the village (on the York road), Paradiso on the Forest is an authentic, family-run, Italian restaurant which offers a great deal more than just pizza and pasta. Be sure to study the specials board – the Sea Bass, the Mussels, the Calamaretti, the King Prawns, the Porchetta and the various Steaks are simply delicious! We are so lucky to have this lovely restaurant on our doorstep. Rosie and I love it and it’s become a firm favourite with many of our visitors
The restaurant is open:
Tuesday to Friday 5pm – 10pm
Saturday 12pm – 10pm
Sunday 12pm – 8pm
(Closed on Mondays)
It is advisable to call in advance to book a table as the restaurant is popular. Be sure to say that you are staying at Pear Tree House when you visit – we like to support our local businesses and your custom will be very much appreciated.
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Dog Walking
Walk straight across the road from Pear Tree House into the visitor car park and through the gate into the ancient woodland of the Sutton Park estate and the fields beyond – perfect dog walking on your doorstep! The parkland and farmland beyond is inhabited by deer, otters, foxes, badgers, hares, buzzards, owls and woodpeckers. The woodland includes many natives species including oak ash, sycamore and elm and is brought to life at different times of the year by snowdrops, daffodils, bluebells, rhododendrons and azaleas.
Alternatively, turn right out of the house and walk down the village past the church. The footpath will take you safely all the way to Huby, the nearest village, just 1.5 miles away. Or half a mile out of the village, turn right when your get to the cemetery and the path will take you across the fields to Huby.
Please keep to the footpaths and bridleways and pick-up after your dogs.
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