My Yorkshire: Simon Cunliffe-Lister

What's your first Yorkshire memory?

Going to school at Masham aged four-and-three-quarters. Walking myself home through the churchyard and across our field to find my mother Susan feeding our horses and sheep. It was, I realise now, a pretty idyllic childhood, and we lived in an old Georgian rectory. At the age of 12, I inherited Burton Agnes itself, and the family moved in to continue the tradition. Living here is wonderful, but there is a strong duty of care to the house and grounds and many responsibilities. One of which, of course, is ensuring that it is in perfect order when it is inevitably passed on to the next generation.

What's your favourite part of the county – and why?

I'm torn between my childhood home of Masham and the surrounding Swinton estate, now owned by my older brother Lord Masham, and the space and tranquillity of being on my own estate. The gardens that my mother has created here are wonderful and I admire her skills so much.

What's your idea of a perfect day, or a perfect weekend out in Yorkshire?

It would start with walking Chica, our dog, on Bridlington south beach, and ideally both children would avoid falling over into the sea. Our daughter Islay is three-and-a-half, and Joss is one-and-a -half, and you have to have eyes in the back of your head. Then we'd go for a coffee in a caf, like Inspirations Caf in Driffield. That would be followed by a long, leisurely roast beef and Yorkshire pudding pub lunch at the Pipe and Glass Inn, South Dalton, with Wold Top or Black Sheep on tap. We'd return home for tea for the children to romp in the garden.

Do you have a favourite walk – or view?

In 1998, we planted a wood to mark the 400th anniversary of the hall and my 21st birthday. We left a clearing in the wood that looks back to the hall, and although it is open to our visitors, few wander out there. We recently had friends staying and took a great picnic down there, piled on top of our children's pushchairs.

Which Yorkshire sportsman, past or present, would you like to take for lunch?

Ian Botham. As a child of the '80s, he was a legend of the time. My brother Mark and I used to play cricket against each other with various friends in each of the teams and we haven't done that for a while. It might be good to revive the idea. I am a social cricketer and I have no pretences as to being much good.

Which Yorkshire stage or screen star, of past or present, would you like to take for dinner?

Michael Parkinson would be my choice of dinner guest. He is one of the old school of interviewers, in that he does that rare thing with his guests – he listens. Most of the rest seem to have monstrous egos and to engage in a relentless cult of me, me, me.

If you had to name your Yorkshire "hidden gem", what would it be?

Burton Agnes Hall and gardens. Simon Jenkins, the author of England's Thousand Best Houses described our home as "the perfect English house" and as one of the 20 best English houses. That was deeply flattering and a wonderful thing to write. We have won awards with our gardens, and attract over 50,000 visitors a year. If you go further afield than East Yorkshire, however, it is surprising how few people know about us.

What do you think gives Yorkshire its unique identity?

The wonderful people, the beer, the huge size of the county and its distance from the south east of England.

Do you follow sport in the county, and if so, what?

I'm not a big sport follower, but couldn't help getting swept up in the excitement of Hull City's promotion to the Premiership two years ago, so I pick out their results in the sports sections. I enjoy watching rugby. The sport I cannot understand is Formula One which seems to be more about machines than personal endeavour.

Do you have a favourite restaurant, or pub?

We love going to Mr Yip's fantastic Chinese restaurant opposite the Bridlington Spa. The best pizzas are at Manor Court in Carnaby. For a treat we go to the Pipe and Glass Inn at South Dalton.

Do you have a favourite food shop?

To top up our own garden's pickings, my wife Olivia loves choosing her fruit and veg from Rafters, bread from Costello's and more unusual treats from Ken Bentley's speciality food store – all of which you'll find on Driffield High Street. We buy our meat direct from local farmers, including Burdass Lamb.

How do you think that Yorkshire has changed, for better or for worse, in the time that you've known it?

For the better. Local food and local beer are now fabulous. In particular, the Black Sheep brewery in Masham. Tom Mellor started up the first-rate Wold Top Brewery. The growth of farmers' markets and farm shops, supporting a wealth of local food producers, is tremendously positive.

Who is the Yorkshire person that you most admire?

I admire the unsung hero of the community, the people behind the scenes who don't bang their own personal drums. I delight in the loyalty and devotion of craftsmen, land agents, cleaners, church wardens and employees on the estate. If I were to pick a famous Yorkshireman, David Hockney is splendid for treading his own road, creating amazing art and trading California for Bridlington.

Has Yorkshire influenced your work?

Totally. Our family has lived at Burton Agnes for 900 years and Burton Agnes Hall has been here for 400. It is the individuality of the Yorkshire people that have lived and worked here over the centuries that influences what Burton Agnes is today.

In the present day we employ 65 people, mostly Yorkshire born and bred. We run a calendar of events at the Hall engaging with local artists, plant nurseries, farmers, food producers and craftsmen.

Name your favourite Yorkshire

book/author/artist/CD/performer.

The Farm by Richard Benson, which is about a man returning from London to help with his family's farm, as his parents face being forced to sell up.

It captures so many details that illuminate the people and the countryside, particularly arable East Yorkshire. I'm also an admirer of Clare Teal's music.

If a stranger to Yorkshire only had time to visit one place, it would be?

I'd take them to one of Yorkshire's wonderful little pubs, on a good summer's day, sit them outside, and share an al fresco meal, and a few excellent pints. And also Burton Agnes Hall.

Burton Agnes Jazz and Blues Festival August 6-8. www.burtonagnes.com, or call 01262 490324.

YP MAG 1/5/10