Hansom Hall

The Grade II listed Victorian mansion sits quietly on the outskirts of Leicester, easy to miss if you're not looking for it. Hansom Hall is a proper period piece - all red brick and sash windows - that takes you back to the mid-19th century when Leicester had money and ambition. The building itself is the main draw here. You can't exactly wander the rooms like a stately home, but the exterior tells its own story if you know where to look. The craftsmanship in the brickwork, the proportions, the way it commands its plot - this is what Victorian prosperity looked like.

Historically minded visitors will get the most from a visit. It's not a dramatic ruin or a castle with a thousand years of bloodshed behind it, just a solid reminder of Leicester's industrial heyday. If you're into architectural history or 19th-century domestic design, it's worth the detour. Everyone else might find themselves doing a quick loop and then heading back to the car.

Based near Green Acres Caravan Park or Cossiwild Camping, you could tick this off as part of a wider Leicester exploration without losing much time. Bradgate Park sits just down the road too, which offers far more in terms of open space and walking if your family's getting restless. The combination works well - a spot of history followed by proper parkland. Allow 30 minutes maximum, longer only if you're photographing the architectural details. There's no visitor centre or cafe, so go in with reasonable expectations.