Stainborough Castle

The ruins of Stainborough Castle stand on a hilltop just outside Barnsley, a proper romantic wreck that rewards the walk up. What you're looking at is mainly the gatehouse and some crumbling walls - it's not going to take you two hours, but the views across South Yorkshire make the climb worthwhile. Built in the 1770s by the Earl of Stainborough, it was designed as a folly more than a fortress, which explains why it looks like something from a Gothic novel rather than an actual defensive stronghold. The stone's weathered beautifully over 250 years, and on a clear day you can see quite far across the valley.

Historians and walkers will get the most out of a visit here. Families with young kids might find it a bit sparse - there's no visitor centre, no café, just the ruin itself and the moorland around it. The walk from Barnsley takes about forty minutes on foot, or you can drive closer and manage a shorter trek. It's free to visit and you can turn up whenever you fancy. Allow an hour tops unless you're planning a longer hike across the moors.

If you're staying at one of the local caravan parks - Greensprings is nearest at just over a mile away - this makes an easy afternoon excursion. Pair it with a walk across Wentworth Woodhouse grounds or a ramble through the surrounding countryside and you've got a solid day out. Worth the detour if you're in the area, though it's not a reason on its own to make the trip to Barnsley.