National Trust - Gawthorpe Hall

The drive up to Gawthorpe Hall from Nelson takes you through proper Pennine country - all dry stone walls and moorland views. What greets you at the top is a handsome Jacobean mansion that's been in the hands of the National Trust since the 1970s, looking exactly like the sort of place where serious Lancashire families made their money in textiles.

Inside, you get a real sense of how people actually lived here. The rooms are furnished without being fussy, and there's a textile collection that goes some way to explaining why this part of Lancashire mattered. Walk the grounds and you'll find yourself thinking less about the building's credentials and more about the fact that you can see for miles across the valley. On a clear day, it's worth the trip just for that.

This works best if you've got an interest in period houses or textiles - kids under ten will likely get restless after forty minutes unless they're into portraits and wallpaper. Walkers should allow time for the grounds, which are worth a proper explore. The hall sits well with a wider Lancashire break: Pendle View Holiday Park and Higher Grange Glamping are both within easy reach, making it a solid half-day slot between longer walks in the Forest of Bowland.

Check ahead for opening hours and admission costs before you travel - National Trust properties can be variable. Go mid-week if possible; weekends draw coach parties.