Hedon

Hedon is a charming market town dominated by its magnificent Church of St Augustine, known as the King of Holderness because of its cathedral-like proportions. Building of the church began in 1190 when Hedon enjoyed great prosperity as a port, but as the Hedon Haven silted up it left the town high and dry, and the church took another 250 years to build. Its splendid tower was finally completed in the mid-15th century. Today the church overlooks Hedon's cobbled Market Place, which becomes a bustling market every Wednesday, and is a conservation area, surrounded by historical buildings.

As you stroll around the town, call in to the Town Hall, where special viewings are held of Hedon's rare and beautiful civic silver collection, which includes the oldest civic mace in the country. And at Hedon Museum you can find out more about the town`s origins over 900 years ago as the first port on the River Humber. Nearby is Fort Paull, first built in 1542 as part of Henry VIII`s coastal defence strategy, and now a museum which is great fun for all the family. The present fort was built in 1808, in response to the threat of invasion by Napoleon, and the Museum's displays and exhibits capture different periods of history. The children will love the junior assault course and the labyrinth of tunnels to explore.

Just north of Hedon is the splendid Burton Constable. Built in 1559 by Sir John Constable, in the 18th century vast sums of money were spent on the hall, employing all the experts of the day, and the gardens, landscaped by Capability Brown. The hall now contains a superb collection of Chippendale furniture and priceless stained glass, beautiful paintings adorn the Long Gallery, and handpainted wallpaper decorates the Chinese Room.