Next door to Dove Cottage, Wordsworth’s first family home, is the Wordsworth Museum, which houses an unsurpassed collection of the Wordsworths’ letters, journals and poems.

The Ruskin Museum tells the story of Coniston in Cumbria – a place of copper mines and slate quarries, Swallows & Amazons country where Beatrix Potter owned farms and Stone Age fell walkers once dwelled.

The Muncaster Castle estate takes in a haunted castle, bluebell woods, Hawk and Owl Centre and more.

Sitting proud amid lush green parkland just inside the Lake District National Park, Lowther Castle is like a fairytale illustration of a castle.

Ever fancied sleeping in a 16th century four-poster bed, in a bona fide castle? Get a taste of Elizabethan aristocracy at Appleby Castle.

Make a pilgrimage to this recently renovated ‘Victorian Cabinet of curiosities’ to see the musical stones of Skiddaw, one of the museum’s star objects.

The Beacon in Whitehaven provides a well-used museum service for local families and visitors, drawing on rich collections – fine and decorative arts, social history, archaeology and natural sciences.

Dove Cottage is where William Wordsworth lived and wrote, and where the Wordsworth Trust continues that work today with poets in residence and public programmes.

Once home to William Wordsworth, this historic villa now combines a small, informal art gallery with a giant indoor mural space.

A mock gothic castle, far from the usual Windermere crowds, with stunning grounds and a short walk to Claife Viewing station.

Sizergh Castle is a flagship National Trust property at the gateway to the Lakes, showing off the very best of Kendal.

Privately-owned Cockermouth Castle dates back to Norman times and is occasionally open to the public.