Thirsk Hall Sculpture Garden

The sculpture garden at Thirsk Hall spreads across the grounds like someone's gone properly mad with a chisel and some very big ideas. What you're looking at is a collection of contemporary sculptures dotted through the landscape - some abstract, some figurative, all of them stopping you mid-walk to stare for longer than you'd planned. It's the sort of place where a ten-minute wander turns into an hour because you keep discovering another piece round the next corner.

This works best for anyone who fancies mixing art with a bit of fresh air. Walkers get a decent excuse to linger between stretches. Families with older kids might appreciate it more than those with toddlers - there's not much in the way of facilities or playgrounds, so a three-year-old will get bored fast. Art types and sculpture enthusiasts will find plenty to chew over, though admission details and opening times are frustratingly vague, so ringing ahead is essential before making the trip from Thirsk town centre.

It sits well within a broader North Yorkshire park holiday. Woodland Lakes Lodges is just 2.6 miles away if you're after a comfortable base, though the caravan parks - Hillside is particularly well-rated at 4.6 stars - offer better value. The sculpture garden feels like the sort of afternoon activity that fills a gap between a longer walk or a visit to Thirsk itself. Don't expect a grand estate experience. Go for the art and the quiet, not the tea shop.