Anthony Mason Hornby

The ruins of Anthony Mason Hornby stand quietly on the outskirts of Lancaster, a weathered reminder of Lancashire's medieval past. What remains is mostly stonework - enough to read the shape of a substantial hall, but you're doing a fair bit of imagining to picture it in its full glory. The site sits in open countryside, which means the walk here is often as rewarding as the destination itself.

This is proper territory for history buffs and anyone interested in how the gentry lived centuries ago. The bones of the building tell you something about status and permanence, though there's not much interpretation on site, so you'll want to do your homework beforehand. Families with young kids might find it a bit thin - there's no visitor centre, no café, no activities. It's just the stones and whatever story you bring with you.

If you're staying at Crook O'Lune Holiday Park, it's only six miles away and makes a decent half-day outing when the weather's decent. Combine it with a walk around Lancaster itself and you've got a proper afternoon sorted. Allow an hour or so, maybe longer if you're keen on photography or sketching. There's no charge to visit, though you'll need to navigate to the site carefully - it's not exactly sign-posted from the main road.

Worth the trip? If you're already in the area and like roaming around old buildings, yes. Don't go out of your way specially.