Houses & gardens
First, choose your county: (neighbouring counties will be added later)
Catton Hall Catton, Walton-on-Trent, South Derbyshire DE12 8LN
2 miles E of A38, between Alrewas and Walton-on-Trent. Owned by the Neilson family since 1405. The present hall, planned by James Gibbs, was built by Smith of Warwick in 1742. Contains original collection of 17th and 18th century pictures, antique furniture and family and royal portraits.
01283 716311
PUBLIC TRANSPORT 8 miles from Lichfield/Tamworth/Burton on Trent stations.
OPEN 6 April - 12 October - Mondays only, guided tour 2pm prompt.
CPRE PRIVILEGE Half-price admission.
ACCESSIBILITY Partial wheelchair access. No disabled WC.
Haddon Hall Bakewell, Derbyshire DE45 1LA
1 mile south of Bakewell on A6. Follow brown tourist signs.
Beautiful medieval and Tudor manor house, untouched by time. Delightful terraced rose gardens. Restaurant and gift shop.
01629 812855
OPEN April: Saturday-Monday; Easter: Thursday-Tuesday; May-Sep: open daily (closed 27 & 28 June); Oct: Saturday-Monday. Opening hours 12pm-5pm (last admission 4pm). 5-13 December, open daily, 10.30am-3.30pm (last admission 3pm).
PUBLIC TRANSPORT Chesterfield (12 miles). Regular bus route from Derby, Nottingham and Manchester.
CPRE PRIVILEGE 2 tickets for the price of 1.
ACCESSIBILITY Limited. Please telephone in advance.
Melbourne Hall Melbourne, Derby, Derbyshire NE73 8EN
A delightful house full of history. Originally a rectory for the Norman Parish Church, it became the home of Sir John Coke in 1628 and has been inherited by subsequent members of the family to the present day. Tearooms, visitor's centre, gift shop and estate workshops. Situated 8 miles S of Derby.
01332 862502
PUBLIC TRANSPORT 6 miles from Derby Station .
OPEN House: August - daily, 2pm-4.15pm (last entry). Closed first 3 Mondays. Visitor centre, shops, tearoom: open all year.
CPRE PRIVILEGE Half-price admission to Hall only but not gardens.
ACCESSIBILITY Wheelchair access may be limited when house is busy.
Tissington Hall Tissington, Ashbourne, Derbyshire DE6 1RA
Oak-panelled Jaocbean manor house 5 miels N of Ashbourne on A515, the 1609 ancestral home of the FitzHerbert family set in the centre of pcturesque Tissington village and surrounded by beautiful gardens with an arboretum. 55-minute guided tours every 20 minutes. Award-winning Old Coach House tearooms.
01335 352200
PUBLIC TRANSPORT Derby Station (19 miles)
OPEN 13-17 April, 23-25, 28 & 29 May, 21-24, 28-31 July, 4-7, 11-14, 18-21, 25-28 & 31 August, 1.30 - 4pm.
CPRE PRIVILEGE Half-price admission.
ACCESSIBILITY Limited wheelchair access.
LEICESTERSHIRE Back to top
Belvoir Castle Belvoir, Grantham, Leicestershire NG32 1PE
Family home to 11th Duke & Duchess of Rutland. Stunning 19th century romantic castle standing prominent on an escarpment overlooking the beautiful Rose & Statue Garden (house not open to the public).
01476 871002
PUBLIC TRANSPORT Grantham STation (9 miles).
OPEN Generally open 11am-4pm, last entry 3pm. These times do vary, so please check details before travelling.
CPRE PRIVILEGE Half price entry Monday-Friday.
ACCESSIBILITY Wheelchair access to ground floor only (access to castle free).
Rockingham Castle Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 8TH
On the A6003, N of Corby.
01536 770240
A Royal Castle and a family home for 450 years. The predominantly Tudor building, within Norman walls, has architecture, furniture and works of art. 12 acres of formal and wild garden command a splendid view of 5 counties.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT Kettering Station.
OPEN 12 April - May, Sundays & Bank Holiday Mondays. June-September, Sundays & Bank Holiday Monday & Tuesdays. Grounds open 12pm, Castle opens 1pm. Last entry 4.30pm.
CPRE PRIVILEGE 2 adults for the price of 1.
ACCESSIBILITY Wheelchair access on ground floor only.
LINCOLNSHIRE Back to top
Burghley House Burghley Park, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 3JY
Close to the A1, 1 mile E of Stamford on the B1443, clearly signposted.
01780 752451
The largest and grandest house of the first Elizabethan Age. Built by Henry Cecil, Lord High Treasurer to Elizabeth I and still lived in by his descendants. The world famous collection of art and porcelain make Burghley a real 'treasure house'. Fully licensed Orangery Restaurant (in Capability Brown designed building). Gardens of Surprise, incorporating the Historical Garden of Surprise and the Contemporary Sculpture Garden now open.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT 1 mile from Stamford station.
OPEN 28 March-29 October - open daily except Fridays. 11am-5pm, last entry 4.30pm. House & Garden closed 3-6 September (Burghley Horse Trials).
CPRE PRIVILEGE 2 adult tickets for the price of 1.
ACCESSIBILITY Wheelchair access; some mobility required.
Grimsthorpe Castle Estate Office, Grimsthorpe, Bourne, Lincolnshire PE10 0LY
On the A151, 10 minutes drive from the A1.
01778 591205
House dating from 13th century with fine furniture and paintings. Extensive gardens, woodland walk, park ranger tours, tame deer herd, tea room, shop. Family cycle trail.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT 15 miles from Grantham station.
OPEN 2 April-31 May - Sunday, Thursday, and Bank Holiday Mondays, 11am-6pm; castle 1pm-4.30pm. June-September - Sunday-Thursday, 11am-6pm; castle 1pm-4.30pm. Last admission to park 5pm.
CPRE PRIVILEGE 2 adult tickets for the price of 1.
ACCESSIBILITY Wheelchair access except to 1st floor of the castle.
Normanby Hall Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire DN15 9HU
4 miles off the B1430.
01724 720588
Nestling in the heart of tranquil countryside, this is the ideal day out for all the family. Experience the Regency Hall and costume galleries, the farming muiseum and award winning Victorian walled kitchen garden. 2007 winner of East Midlands Tourism Silver Award for large tourist attraction.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT 4 miles from Scunthorpe station.
OPEN All year round - park, daily, 9am-dusk; walled garden open daily except 25-26 December and 1 January, 10.30am-4.30pm. 30 March-28 September - Hall and Farming Museum - 30 March-27 September, 1pm-5pm.
CPRE PRIVILEGE 2 tickets for the price of 1.
ACCESSIBILITY Wheelchair access to farming museum, walled garden and most of the park. Ground floor only in Hall. Accessible toilets.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE Back to top
Coton Manor Garden Coton, Guilsborough, Northamptonshire NN6 8RQ
01604 740219
English country garden laid out on different levels surrounding a 17th century manor (not open). Many herbaceous borders with extensive range of plants, old yew and holly hedges, water garden and fine lawns set in 10 acres. Also wildflower meadow and bluebell wood.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT Long Buckby station.
OPEN 31 March-3 October - Tuesday-Saturday, 12noon-5.30pm; Also, in April-May, Sundays 12noon-5.30pm.
CPRE PRIVILEGE 2 tickets for the price of 1 from 1 June.
ACCESSIBILITY Partial wheelchair access.
Deene Park Deene, Corby, Northamptonshire NN17 3EW
01780 420278
Surrounded by beautiful gardens and a large park, this Tudor and Georgian mansion has been the home of the Brudenell family since 1514, including the 7th Earl of Cardigan who led the Charge of the Light Brigade.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT Kettering (13 miles0; NE of Corby (6 miles), off A43. No bus service.
OPEN Easter-321 August, Sunday & Bank Holiday Mondays; 13 & 20 May and 3 June, Wednesdays, 2-5pm. Open at other times for groups of 20+ by prior arrangement.
CPRE PRIVILEGE 2 for the price of 1 on adult tickets, gardens only. Not available for groups.
ACCESSIBILITY Wheelchair access to ground floor of house, old kitchen, tearoom and gardens.
Lamport Hall & Gardens Lamport, Northampton, Northamptonshire NN6 9HD
01604 686272
Grade I listed house with fine collection of books, furniture and paintings. Collected by the Isham family. Many from a 17th century grand tour. Rmarkable rock garden, fine herbaceous borders, boxbower, large walled garden and small Italian garden with shell fountain. On A508 between Northampton and Market Harborough.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT Northampton or Market Harborough (8 miles). Stagecoach X7 between town centres.
OPEN Easter Sunday-8 October; Wednesday & Thursday; guided tours 2.15pm & 3pm; Bank Holiday & Fair days non-guided tours. Further details on website.
CPRE PRIVILEGE 2 tickets for the price of 1.
ACCESSIBILITY Partial wheelchair access.
Prebendal Manor Nassington, near Peterborough, Northamptonshire PE8 6QG
01780 782575
13th century manor steeped in history, the oldest house in Northamptonshire. The largest recreated medieval gardens in Europe, a dovecote, fishponds, ancient rare breed animals, tithe barn houses, museum and tearoom. Free audio tours.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT 10 miles from Peterborough station.
OPEN All Bank Holiday Mondays, 2pm-5pm. 14 June-31 August, Wednesday-Friday, 2pm-5pm.
CPRE PRIVILEGE Half price admission, except special event days.
ACCESSIBILITY Disabled access.
Southwick Hall Main Street, Southwick, Northamptonshire PE8 5BL
3 miles N of Oundle (A427), 4 miles E of Bulwick (A43).
01832 274064
A family manor house dating from 1300 with Tudor rebuilding and Georgian and Victorian additions. Exhibitions of Victorian and Edwardian life, collections of agricultural and carpentry tools and local archaeological finds.
OPEN 12-13 April, 3-4, 24-25 May, 30-31 August and 13 September - 2pm-5pm.
CPRE PRIVILEGE Half-price admission.
ACCESSIBILITY Wheelchair access to downstairs only.
Sulgrave Manor Manor Road, Sulgrave, Banbury, Northamptonshire OX17 2SD
Just off the B4525 Banbury-Northampton road, 6 miles from Jct 11 of M40.
01295 760205
A superb example of a modest manor house and garden of Sakespeare's time. George Washington's ancestral home. Headquarters of the Herb Society.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT Banbury station.
OPEN April-October - weekends from 12noon; May-October - Tuesday-Thursday, 2pm; also February half term, Easter, Bank Holiday Mondays and Christmas.
CPRE PRIVILEGE Half-price admission.
ACCESSIBILITY Wheelchair access to grounds and lower floor.
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE Back to top
Papplewick Hall Papplewick, Nottinghamshire NG15 8FE
0115 963 632623
A stone-built classical Georgian country house set in park and woodland garden. Fine plasterwork and unspoiled interior, unchanged since it was built in 1784.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT 1.5 miles from Hucknall station.
OPEN 1st, 3rd & 5th Wednesday of every month.
CPRE PRIVILEGE Half-price admission.
ACCESSIBILITY No wheelchair access.
Barnsdale Gardens The Avenue, Exton, Oakham, Rutland LE15 8AH
01572 813200
Turn off the A606 Oakham-Stamford road at Barnsdale Lodge Hotel, then 1 mile on left.
Geoff Hamilton's 8-acre Barnsdale TV garden, 37 individual gardens and features. Nursery, gift shop and coffee shop.
OPEN March-May, September, October - daily, 9am-5pm. June-August - daily, 9am-7pm. November-February - daily, 10am-4pm. Closed 23 & 25 December.
CPRE PRIVILEGE Half-price admission, Monday to Friday.
ACCESSIBILITY Wheelchair access.
YORKSHIRE Back to top
Castle Howard York YO60 7DA
01653 648333
Magnificent 18th century house in 1,000 acres of breathtaking parkland featuring temples, lakes, foundtains and statues. Attractions include outdoor tours, events, adventure playground, boat trips and school holiday activities for children. Choice of shops and cafes including plant centre and award winning farm shop.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT 5 miles from Malton station. Yorkshire Coastliner and Moorbus network.
OPEN 16 March-1 November, 28 November-20 December - daily from 11am. Gardens, playground, shops and cafes: all year from 10am.
CPRE PRIVILEGE 2 adult tickets for the price of 1, valid for House and Gardens only.
ACCESSIBILITY Disabled access to House and Gardens.
Constable Burton Hall Gardens Leyburn, North Yorkshire DL8 5LJ
01677 450428
Delightful terraced garden of lilies, ferns, shrubs, roses and wildflowers attached to a beautiful Palladian house (not open). Garden trails, herbaceous borders, stream garden and reflection ponds. Impressive Spring display of daffodils and tulips.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT 3 miles from Leyburn station.
OPEN 14 March-29 September - open daily, 9am-6pm.
CPRE PRIVILEGE 2 for the price of 1 (except for the Tulip Festival 2-4 May).
ACCESSIBILITY Partial wheelchair access.
Duncombe Park Helmsley, York YO62 5EB
01439 770213
1 mile from Helmsley marketplace.
Finely restored home of Lord and lady Feversham, built in 1713. Principal rooms typical of a late 19th century 'grand interior', surrounded by a 35-acre landscaped 'green garden' with temples and terraces set in 450 acres of dramatic rolling parkland. Waymarked walks, orienteering, shop and tearoom.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT 14 miles from Malton and Thirsk stations.
OPEN 12 April-25 October, Sunday-Thursday, 11am-5.30pm.
CPRE PRIVILEGE Half-price admission, excluding event days.
ACCESSIBILITY Wheelchair access to ground and first floor of house.
Kiplin Hall Scorton, Richmond, North Yorkshire DL10 6AT
Off the B6271 between Scorton and Northallerton.
01748 8188178
Architecturally interesting Jacobean house built by George Calvert, Secretary of State to James I, and founder of Maryland. Furnished as a Victorian home with personal possessions, paintings and furniture collected over four centuries by the families who owned the Hall; the Calverts, Crowes, Carpenters and Talbots. Exhibition: 'The Arts and Crafts Movement', gardens, tearoom, shop, events.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT 8 miles from Northallerton station. Bus 55.
OPEN 12 April-September, Sunday-Wednesday, 2pm-5pm. Plus Good Friday and Easter Saturday, 2pm-5pm.
CPRE PRIVILEGE Half price admission, adults.
ACCESSIBILITY Wheelchair access to ground floor.
Renishaw Hall Gardens, Museum & Galleries Renishaw Park, Renishaw, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S21 3WB
01246 432310
The home of the Sitwells for nearly 400 years, and still a family house. Beautiful gardens laid out by Sir George Sitwell at the end of the 19th century, according to classical Italian principles: garden rooms formed by dark clipped yew hedges, the sound and sight of moving and still water; foundtains; ancient and modern statues. Woodland and lakeside walks, camellias and spring flowers in April, bluebell woods, rhododendrons, a laburnum tunnel, more than 1,000 summer roses. National Collection of Yuccas. Museums, shop, cafe, Chidren's Fairytale Garden with trails, living willow tunnel, maze, story telling. Groups and school parties welcome.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT 8 miles from Chesterfield and Sheffield stations. Buses 50, 56, 53, 70, 72, 252, 253.
OPEN 2 April-27 September - Thursday-Sunday, Bank Holidays, 10.30am-4.30pm. Fanfare for Spring: 22 February, Bluebell fortnight: 22 April. Hall tours must be booked in advance.
CPRE PRIVILEGE 2 for the price of 1, on Saturdays only.
ACCESSIBILITY Partial wheelchair access.
Royal Pump Room Museum Crown Place, Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG1 2RY
01423 556188
Explore Harrogate's history as a spa town - see the sulphur wells and treatments, and taste the unforgettable water. In 2008 visit exhibitions of Ancient Egyptian treasures such as mummy masks, canopic jars, jewellery and a sarcophagus. Mercer Art Gallery is nearby (free entry) featuring a diverse programme of art exhibitions.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT Harrogate station, then 10-minute walk through town centre.
OPEN November-March, Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm; Sunday 2pm-5pm. Open 12noon Sundays in August. Closed 11-13 May and 24-26 December.
CPRE PRIVILEGE 2 tickets for the price of 1.
ACCESSIBILITY Wheelchair access.
Skipton Castle Skipton, North Yorkshire BD23 1AW
01756 792442
One of the best preserved, complete medieval castles in England, situated at the head of Skipton's bustling High Street and within easy walking distance of the railway and bus stations. Delightful teamrooms, wonderful views, picnic areas, excellent shop. Woodland walks.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT Walking distance from Skipton.
OPEN All year round - Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm (last admission), Sunday 12noon-6pm (October-February, last admission 4pm).
CPRE PRIVILEGE 2 for the price of 1, except Bank Holidays and special events.
ACCESSIBILITY Wheelchair access to grounds only.
Sutton Park Main Street, Sutton-on-the-Forest, York YO61 1DP
8 miles N of York on B1363 York-Helmsley road.
01347 810249
The Yorkshire home of Sir Reginald and Lady Sheffield built in 1730 by Thomas Atkinson. Georgian architecture. Frequent winner in Yorkshire in Bloom awards, including Silver Gilt Award for Best Tourist & Visitor Attraction in 2008.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT York Station. Bus Reliance service 40 from Exhibition Square, York.
OPEN April-September - daily, 11am-5pm.
CPRE PRIVILEGE Half price admission, garden only.
ACCESSIBILITY Limited wheelchair access.
Thorp Perrow Arboretum Thorp Perrow, Bedale, North Yorkshire DL8 2PR
01677 425323
A wonderful day out for all ages. 85 acres of woodland to explore, with woodland walks, trails and activity booklets to follow. The Bird of Prey Centre has birds from around the world with 3 entertaining flying displays a day. New Mammal Centre opened in 2008. Licensed tearoom, picnic area and plant centre.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT 10 miles from Northallerton.
OPEN June, July and September - daily, 10am-5pm.
CPRE PRIVILEGE 2 adult tickets for the price of 1.
ACCESSIBILITY Full disabled access.