Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

The first thing that hits you about Raby is scale. This isn't some modest manor house - it's a proper medieval fortress with eight towers, surrounded by 200 acres of parkland that rolls out like someone's thrown a green blanket across County Durham. You'll need to ring ahead or check their website for opening times and admission fees, as they're not always open to the public, but when they are, it's worth the trip from Bishop Auckland.

Inside, the castle feels genuinely lived-in. The Baron's Hall is enormous - all high ceilings and history - and the rooms are stuffed with furniture, tapestries, and paintings that give you a real sense of how the aristocracy actually inhabited the place rather than treating it like a museum. The gardens are the real draw though. Formal lawns give way to woodland walks, and there's a lake that catches the light beautifully on clear days. Kids won't stay entertained all afternoon, but older children and walkers will find plenty to do.

Parking is straightforward, and if you're based at one of the nearby caravan parks - Cragwood is closest at just 2.5 miles, or High Farm if you want something a bit further out - you can easily slot a morning or afternoon visit into a park holiday without it feeling like a slog. The grounds alone justify the detour if you fancy a proper walk. Summer is best; winter can feel a bit bleak around here, though that's rather atmospheric in its own way.