Cross Keys Farm

The Bowes Museum is an art gallery in Barnard Castle, County Durham, built in the style of a French château and set in landscaped parkland overlooking Teesdale countryside. It was purpose-built to house the collection of John Bowes and his wife Joséphine, and opened in 1892.

Tip: Check the museum's website for the current Silver Swan showing times before you go, as they differ on bank holidays and school holidays.

Raby Castle is a Grade I listed medieval castle near Staindrop in County Durham, built by the Nevilles between about 1367 and 1390. It has nine towers, a Neville Gateway with grooves still visible from its portcullises, and a large art collection including works by old masters and portraits. It remains a private family home, and the grounds include 200 acres of deer park.

Tip: Pre-booking tickets online is recommended to get the best price.

Barnard Castle is a ruined medieval castle on the edge of the County Durham town that shares its name. A stone fortress was begun here in the 12th century by the Balliol family, and the mighty round tower still stands over the gorge. Later owners included Richard of Gloucester, who went on to become Richard III.

Tip: Head first for the great chamber window to find Richard's carved white boar and the view of the river.

Lightwater Valley is a family adventure park in North Stainley, near Ripon, set in 175 acres of North Yorkshire countryside. It began in 1969 as a self-pick fruit farm and grew into a theme park, and it was once home to The Ultimate, billed as the longest roller coaster in the world.

Tip: Book tickets online in advance, before midnight the day before your visit, to get the online discount rather than the on-the-day price.

Bowes Castle is the ruin of Henry II's 12th century keep, built within the site of the Roman fort of Lavatrae. It guarded the approach to the Stainmore Pass, one of the few upland routes over the Pennines between England and Scotland.

Tip: Park in the village. The rubble path up to the castle isn't suitable for wheelchairs, and dogs must be on leads.

Brough Castle is a ruined English Heritage castle on a ridge overlooking the Stainmore Pass, built within the walls of an old Roman fort. Its towering keep dates from about 1200, and the site was a frequent target of Scots raids. The Clifford family later added more comfortable living quarters, which were accidentally burnt after a great Christmas party in 1521.

Tip: Parking is limited in the village, so don't use Brough Castle Farm. Farm livestock may be present and the ground is uneven, especially the gatehouse cobbles.

The Forbidden Corner is a folly garden in the Tupgill Park Estate at Coverham in Coverdale, inside the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Built in the 1980s as a private pleasure garden, it opened to the public in 1997. The Folly Fellowship voted it the best European folly of the 20th century.

Tip: Check the official website before you go to see how tickets are booked.

Richmond Castle stands on a commanding hill above the River Swale, close to the centre of Richmond. Alan Rufus began building it from 1071, after the Norman Conquest, and it is described as the best-preserved early Norman castle in England. You can wander the towers, halls and chapels around the big grassy courtyard, and relax in the quiet Cockpit Garden.