Elsham Hall Gardens & Country Park

Elsham is a relaxed mix of historic garden and family country park, and it works best for a day when everyone wants something different. The centrepiece for gardeners is the Walled Garden, one of the biggest 18th-century walled gardens in the country. It was first used for growing flowers, fruit and vegetables for the hall, and has been reimagined by Gervase and Clare Elwes as a contemporary garden designed by garden architect Ian Stubbs, so it is a good place to see how modern planting can sit inside old brick walls.

The two lakes are older than the house. They were made by Augustinian canons who lived here for around 350 years, and later owners added the 18th-century lake walls and bridge beside the Walled Garden. There is a feeding platform for the carp, and paths lead on through lakeside gardens to the arboretum, planted after the earlier wood was lost to Dutch elm disease with trees chosen from around the British Isles. The Enchanted Woods, which replaced the old butterfly walk, are made for children to explore.

The Georgian courtyard, designed by John Carr of York, holds the shop and café. Alpacas, donkeys, rabbits and guinea pigs live on site, peacocks and guinea fowl wander freely, and the aviaries now house rescued owls. Keep an eye out for wildlife too: kingfishers, herons and buzzards are seen here, and otters live along the water. Because of the free-roaming animals, pet dogs are not allowed, though guide and support dogs on leads are welcome. The hall itself is a private home and is not open.