Holme Pierrepont Hall

The red-brick Tudor mansion sits just south of Nottingham, a proper statement of Renaissance ambition that's been standing since the 1500s. What you're looking at is Holme Pierrepont Hall - a working family home that opens its doors to visitors with enough historical credentials to justify the trip.

Inside, the rooms tell the story of centuries of occupation: period furnishings, family portraits lining the walls, and the kind of architectural details that make you stop and stare. The grounds are lovely too, particularly if you catch them in spring. Most visitors allow two to three hours here, wandering through at a gentle pace without feeling rushed.

This is absolutely worth the detour if you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks - Shelford Nurseries is barely three miles away, and Gunthorpe Camping sits at 4.5 miles. It works well as a half-day excursion, particularly if the weather turns and you want something indoors. History enthusiasts will get far more out of it than families with young children, who might find it a bit static after an hour.

Admission fees and opening times can vary seasonally, so checking ahead is essential before you drive over. The hall remains genuinely lived-in rather than museum-like, which gives it character other heritage attractions lack. From Nottingham city centre, it's a straightforward 20-minute drive south.