Haddon Hall

Stone walls rise from the River Wye like something from a medieval dream, and that's exactly what Haddon Hall delivers. This 12th-century manor house sits magnificently above Bakewell, its honey-coloured limestone glowing warmly in the Derbyshire sunshine. Walking through the gatehouse feels like stepping back 800 years - the Great Hall still has its original timber roof, and the Long Gallery stretches out with mullioned windows that flood the space with light.

History buffs will be in their element here. The house has remained remarkably unchanged since Tudor times, with painted walls in the chapel and gardens that tumble down terraced slopes to the river below. Jane Austen fans might recognise it from various film adaptations.

Families should allow a good half-day to explore properly. The grounds are extensive and children love running around the courtyards, though the interiors might test shorter attention spans after an hour or so. Spring and summer show the gardens at their finest, particularly when the roses are in bloom.

From nearby holiday parks like Greenhills Holiday Park or Darwin Forest, it's an easy drive into the heart of the Peak District. Combine it with a trip into Bakewell itself for proper pudding tasting - you're only a few minutes from the town centre. The whole area works brilliantly as a base for exploring both the dramatic White Peak landscape and these more gentle historical treasures.