Cannon Hall

The drive up to Cannon Hall takes you through proper South Yorkshire countryside, and then suddenly there's this 18th-century country house sitting in 70 acres of grounds near Barnsley. It's a working museum now - you can wander the ornate rooms, see the period furnishings, and get a real sense of how the gentry lived back in the day. There's also a working glass-blowing studio, which is genuinely absorbing to watch. The real draw, though, is the grounds themselves. The formal gardens are well maintained, and if you've got kids, they won't get restless - there's enough space to let them burn off energy without feeling like you're herding cats round a stately home.

It's free entry, which feels almost criminal given how much there is to see. You'll want a good two to three hours minimum, longer if you're the type to read every placard. The art collection inside is solid, nothing that'll blow your mind but worth a look. Summer visits are best - the grounds are at their most pleasant, and you can grab a coffee and sit outside without needing a jumper.

If you're staying at one of the nearby glamping spots - Boots and Bubbles or Beesknees are both five-star operations, barely a 20-minute drive away - Cannon Hall works brilliantly as a half-day activity. It fills the gap between breakfast and dinner without feeling like a tourist box-tick. The kind of place that stays with you a bit longer than you'd expect.