Day Trips from Manchester

In Brief. Conisbrough Castle  consists of a crumbling inner Bailey and an impressively preserved 12th Century tower that sits on a hill overlooking much of the small town of Conisbrough. Run by English Heritage, there are informative displays on the castle and the principal protagonists in its history, along with insights into what is involved in keeping a castle up and running. The town of Conisbrough itself is quite low key, and its roads are no better maintained than in other parts of the country; hitting a pothole with a bit of a thump at quite low speed near to the castle turned out to be enough to puncture a front tyre and radically change the plan for the day. The tower from the inner Bailey. What's Here? The most striking feature of Conisbrough Castle is its tower, which was likely built in the late 12th century by/for Isabel and Hamelin de Warenne. Isabelle was the great-great-granddaughter of William de Warenne, a close follower of William the Conqueror, and Hamelin of An...

In Brief. Brodsworth Hall is a Victorian country house surrounded by gardens that were designed to impress, and do. The house was built in the 1860s, and much of the interior dates from the time of its construction, when money was plentiful. However, the gardens are the star turn, maintained to a very high standard, and providing variety around every turn. The immaculate formal gardens were quite a spectacle during my August visit. The formal fountain garden. What's here? Brodsworth Hall was built to replace an existing residence on the site in the 1860s, at the same time as the gardens were laid out. The hall itself, though substantial, has a somewhat understated exterior, approached by a sweeping drive and surrounded by lawns. The interior is more lavish, with grand spaces for entertaining, which can be contrasted with the more down-to-earth facilities of the servant's wing. The friendly guides were keen to share stories and history. View from the summer house. The gardens, ...

  In Brief. Beeston Castle , which is run by English Heritage, is a partly ruined, but strikingly located castle, much of which dates from the 13th century. The outer walls enclose a substantial partly wooded area, that leads up to the inner walls on a rocky outcrop. The entire site is elevated, and provides good views over the Cheshire plain. The inner gatehouse and walls. What's Here? The site has a long history, with findings from dating back to the Bronze Age. The castellated ticket office dates from 1846, reflecting the fact that this has even been a visitor attraction for ages!  The ticket office also houses a worthwhile exhibition that outlines the history of the site, from Bronze and Iron Age metalwork, through the original construction of the castle for Earl Ranulf of Chester in the 13th Century, to sieges in the English Civil War.  A commanding position offers rewarding views. From the gatehouse, everything to be visited is above, but it is a short walk to what ...

In Brief. Bolsover Castle is more a country house, or perhaps pleasure dome, than a fortress. Mostly built for, and reflecting the social interests of, a single 17th century aristocrat, the historical narrative largely relates to the lifetime of that individual. Reflecting this, there is a well preserved country house with quirky artistic interiors, a renovated riding house, and a ruined wing once used for larger scale entertaining, including of royalty.  The grounds are compact, but include a pleasant walled garden. The Little Castle and walled garden. What's Here? The castle occupies a compact site adjacent to Bolsover town centre. Run by English Heritage, there is a reception building selling tickets, with a cafe and a shop.  The reception building gives access to a lawn, including some picnic tables and a castle themed play area, beyond which is the castle itself, which consists of three sections. The Little Castle, pictured above, is the original building, built during t...