Wallington Hall

Wallington Hall sits about 12 miles west of Newcastle, a proper Georgian country pile that belonged to the same family for nearly three centuries. It's a National Trust property, so what you're getting is the full package - the house itself, stuffed with period furniture and art collected over generations, plus 100 acres of grounds that range from formal gardens to woodland walks.

The house is genuinely impressive without being showy. Rooms like the Central Hall, with its Pre-Raphaelite murals covering every wall, stop you dead. There's excellent plasterwork throughout, and the library alone justifies the visit if you're into that sort of thing. Most visitors allow two to three hours inside, though you could stretch it to a full day if you're thorough.

The estate's real strength is the landscape. The gardens include a walled garden that's orderly without being rigid, plus woodland trails that loop through the grounds and into the wider estate. It's brilliant for families who want to burn off some energy after the house, and adults will appreciate the sheer peace of it.

Admission isn't free - it's a paid National Trust attraction - but if you're staying at nearby Northumberland Nook, this makes an excellent half-day trip. Spring's the best time, when the daffodils and magnolias are out, though autumn brings decent colour too. Winter quiets things down considerably. Parking's free and there's a tea room on site, so you won't go hungry.