Day Trips from Manchester

In Brief. Long before you see the actual house, various monuments adorn the landscape, suggesting there may be more to  Castle Howard than in a typical country house. This turns out to be the case, with an imposing exterior and elaborate interiors that just manage to avoid being too over the top. The house stands in the centre of extensive grounds that include a grandiose fountain, a large walled garden, woodland walks and ponds. Castle Howard is also adjacent to the Yorkshire Arboretum . The house from the Atlas Fountain to the south. What's Here? Castle Howard is entered through a courtyard that could itself be visited for the open air cafe and assorted shops. From there, paths lead to the side of the house, and the imposing north front only comes into view incrementally.  In fact, it's so wide that seeing the whole facade involves wandering down the slope towards the Great Lake. The house itself was largely build during the 18th Century, on the site of a former castle, and...

In Brief. The Pendle Sculpture Trail  combines a countryside walk, a forest walk, outdoor sculptures and some local history in a way that is greater than the sum of its parts. The scenery is pleasant, the forest is not densely planted, the sculptures are varied, and there is a chance to discover a little about  The Pendle Witches , who are remembered in plaques along the sculpture trail.  Please do not feed the mythical creatures. What's Here? The starting point for most visitors will be a carpark in the village of Barley, where there is a log cabin occupied by a cafe that was doing good business on my visit.  The start of the walk involves going through the village, past the pub (The Pendle Inn) and restaurant (The Barley Mow), and then heading right up a signposted lane, with solid dry stone walls on either side. Lower Black Moss Reservoir This lane quickly provides access to pleasant countryside, passing the  Lower Black Moss Reservoir (pictured), and leading...