Castle Howard
15 m NE York, Yorkshire, off the A64
Here is John Vanbrugh's extraordinary baroque vision realized in all its extravagance for the 3rd Earl of Carlisle. One of the very first landscape gardens was built here, and there are paintings by Gainsborough and Rubens. The huge central dome has been restored after a 20th-century fire. More recently, Castle Howard was the setting for Brideshead Revisited.
Beningbrough Hall
8 m NW York, Yorkshire, off A19, National Trust
A red brick Queen Anne mansion, housing rich baroque interiors, and including paintings from the National Portrait Gallery.
Eden Camp
Malton, North Yorkshire, open daily
A former winner of the Museum of the Year Award, Eden Camp recreates the experience of life in WWII Britain. Built in original prisoner of war huts.
Yorkshire Air Museum and Allied Air Forces Memorial
Halifax Way, Elvington, York
This museum is a re-creation of a 1940's airbase, featuring the Halifax 4-engined bomber. Over 25 planes are displayed, including a Mosquito night fighter that took over 25 years to restore, Buccanneers, and Britain's first jet bomber. There is also a reconstruction of the 1849 Caylet glider - the first unpowered plane to carry a man. The Allied Air Forces Memorial is built in memory of the many Allied Servicemen who died while flying from this airfield. A chapel adjoins the memorial, and regular services are held.
Yorkshire Museum of Farming
Murton Park, Murton
Really four attractions in one. There is an agricultural museum featuring tools, machinery, and farm animals. Danelaw is a reconstruction of an authentic Saxon village from the Dark Ages, and Brigantium is a model Roman army fort where children can dress in realistic Roman garb. On Sunday visitors can also ride old trains along the old Derwent Valley line. Disabled access is available.
