Steeton Hall Gateway

The stone gateway at Steeton Hall is one of those monuments you stumble across rather than plan for, which makes it all the more satisfying when you do. Standing just outside Selby, this Grade II listed structure is what remains of a once-grand estate entrance - sturdy blocks of stone arranged in a proper Tudor arch, the kind of thing that makes you wonder what happened to the big house behind it.

There's not much to do here beyond looking at it and taking a photograph or two, but that's rather the point. It's the sort of stop that appeals to local history buffs and anyone driving between Selby and York who fancies a five-minute detour to see something with actual age to it. Kids will find it mildly interesting for about thirty seconds before wanting to move on.

The main draw is that it genuinely does feel like stepping back in time - the stonework tells you everything about Tudor craftsmanship and the wealth that once stood here. There's no visitor centre or interpretation boards, which is either brilliant or disappointing depending on how much detail you crave.

If you're based at York South Ltd, the holiday lodges just six miles away, this makes an easy morning walk or a quick pit stop on the way to exploring Selby's abbey. Access is free and unrestricted, though you'll want to check the ground conditions after heavy rain - it's a rural setting with minimal facilities. Don't expect grand gardens or tea rooms, just a genuine, ungussied-up piece of Yorkshire heritage.