Beningbrough Hall

18th-century mansion in Italianate Baroque style, now managed by the National Trust. It is the red-brick creation of John Bourchier, who was inspired by the Grand Tour of Europe he took as a 20-year-old. Inside, it's all gilt and ornate white plaster, with an ever-changing rotation of over 100 period portraits on permanent loan from the National Portrait Gallery in London, while outside the gardens are rich, extensive and diverse. Eclectic too are the attractions on offer: Beningbrough is no staid stately home, with dogs welcome in the gardens and children well catered for by heaps of activities throughout the year, bicycle hire and several themed walking routes with such intriguing titles as 'Top ten trees of interest'. A restaurant, shop and adventure playground complete the package.

• museum
• outdoors
• family

Address

Beningbrough, YO30 1DD

Getting there

north of city centre off the A19 - follow brown signs. Free parking. Bus 80 to Newton on Ouse village hall the 1 mile walk via Cherry Tree Avenue. Enter parkland by archway.

Hours

see website

Price

Adult £16, Child £8, NT members free

Website

nationaltrust.org.uk (opens in a new tab)