Newby Hall & Gardens

The hall began as a more modest late 17th-century house, before being substantially remodelled in the 1760s for William Weddell, who commissioned Robert Adam to create interiors fit for the classical sculpture and Gobelins tapestries he had brought back from his travels in Europe.

The result, particularly the sculpture gallery built specifically to display Weddell's collection, is considered one of Adam's finest surviving works, and the hall remains in the same family today, lived in rather than simply preserved as a museum piece.

The gardens were largely created in the 20th century and have continued to develop since, earning a reputation as one of the best plant-lover's gardens in Yorkshire, with several national plant collections held on site.

Allow a full half-day to take in the house, the gardens and the miniature railway, longer if children want repeat rides or a proper go on the adventure play equipment. The site is large, so comfortable shoes are a good idea.

The house and gardens are only open seasonally, broadly spring to autumn, so check the website for current opening days and times before setting off, especially outside peak summer months.

It combines well with Fountains Abbey or Ripon itself on the same day, since both are a short drive away and sit roughly between Newby Hall and Pateley Bridge.