‘Bomber crews were stationed there. Many failed to return from missions over Nazi-occupied Europe’

THIS is a wonderful way to get away from it all. Beningbrough Hall and Gardens is a magnificent Georgian red-brick mansion with one of Britain's finest baroque interiors.

And it’s got a great little restaurant too.

The hall is five miles north-west of York, set in the heart of the middle of nowhere in the North Yorkshire countryside.

It can be tough to find, especially as lorries are notorious for catching the road signs and turning them the wrong way.

We fell for that and ended up going miles in the wrong direction.

There is an easier way.

The hall – set in its own parkland – is right next to RAF Linton-on-Ouse. Head for that and you won’t go far wrong.

And the RAF station has played an important part in the hall’s more modern history.

In the Second World War bomber crews were stationed there. Many failed to return from missions over Nazi-occupied Europe, but they literally left their mark.

In a small ante-room off one of the main bedrooms they played darts and stubbed their cigarettes out on the wooden panelling.

The burn marks can still be seen, a poignant reminder of their bravery. Few lasted longer than two weeks.

The hall has a large walled garden which is used to grow vegetables for its restaurant, which is set in a narrow stone building with exposed beams.

Almost all the food is homemade.

As a taster, leek and potato soup is £4.50 while organic lamb and vegetable casserole is £7.50.

Still hungry? Sticky toffee pudding with custard will sort that out at £3.50.

Children’s portions are half-price.

Inside the hall one of the main highlights is a vast self-supporting staircase with incredibly ornate carved woodwork.

It’s a miracle of craftsmanship, but apparently some of the wartime RAF crews were known to ride motorbikes up it.

The rooms have furnishings dating back to the 1700s and – as with most National Trust properties – is an experience of walking through history. It brings the subject to life for children.

Beningbrough is now displaying over 100 famous paintings in a partnership with the National Portrait Gallery.

For the youngsters there is a wilderness play area with a large fort and inside the hall the chance to dress up in 17th century clothes and spooky masks.

But the best bit has to be the Making Faces gallery, where you can superimpose your own face on to a painting and then get it emailed to yourself.

Beningbrough Hall has a busy summer of events, including Artregeous workshops and jazz through to a teddy bears’ picnic and a food and craft festival.

For more details about the hall visit website www.nationaltrust.org.uk