Allerton Castle - Wedding Venue & Tourist Attraction North Yorkshire

The castle rises dramatically from the North Yorkshire countryside just outside Knaresborough - a proper Victorian Gothic pile that looks like someone plucked it from a Gothic novel and dropped it onto the Pennine landscape. Built in the 1880s, it's all turrets, crenellations and theatrical stonework. Tours take you through the main rooms, where you'll find the kind of ornate detail that makes you stop and stare - tiled fireplaces, stained glass, carved oak. The grounds deserve as much time as the building itself, with formal gardens and woodland walks that give you breathing space between rooms.

Wedding season means you won't always get full access, so check ahead. The place works best for anyone interested in Victorian architecture or family history buffs - kids might manage an hour, but it's not theme park material. Allow at least two hours if you're doing the full tour. It's free to roam the gardens most days, though the house tour costs a few quid.

Perfect for breaking up a caravan holiday in the area. The Knaresborough Caravan and Motorhome Club site sits just five miles away, making this an easy afternoon outing. Harrogate and Rudding Holiday Park are equally convenient bases. The castle fills an afternoon nicely if you're already exploring Knaresborough's riverside walks and the famous viaduct - they're practically neighbours.