Woad Mill Barns

Sandringham House is a royal country house on a large estate in the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is owned personally by the monarch rather than the Crown, and the house is Grade II* listed. The landscaped gardens, park and woodlands are on the National Register of Historic Parks and Gardens, and the site has a history stretching back to Elizabethan times.

Tip: If you're bringing a dog, check the estate's dog-friendly areas on its website before you set off.

Fantasy Island is a resort theme park at Ingoldmells on the Lincolnshire coast, close to Skegness and a short walk from the beach. Rides are split into three wristband levels, Discovery and Adventurer for thrill seekers and Little Explorer for younger children, with height restrictions applying. Outdoor rides sit alongside an indoor entertainment complex in a steel pyramid.

Tip: Check the park is open before you go, as it closes between seasons. Wristbands can be pre-booked online or bought on arrival, and the right one depends on your height.

Lincoln Cathedral is a Church of England cathedral and a working place of worship, consecrated in the 11th century. The building is grade I listed and has Gothic architecture from several periods, including two large rose windows, the Dean's Eye and the Bishop's Eye. The Victorian writer John Ruskin rated it highly among British buildings.

Tip: The cathedral is a living church, so some areas can close for services or events. Check the visit page for current restrictions before you travel.

Tattershall Castle is a National Trust property built in the 15th century by Ralph Cromwell, Treasurer of England. The Great Tower is an imposing red-brick keep with seven storeys, including the Parlour, Great Hall, Audience Chamber and Private Chamber. Some of the huge medieval fireplaces were once ripped out for sale abroad before being tracked down and returned.

Tip: The tower has 149 steps and no lift, and the grounds have deep gravel, so wear sensible shoes. Dogs on leads can go in most places but not inside the Great Tower, except assistance dogs.

Burghley House is one of the largest and grandest houses of the 16th century, built for William Cecil, Lord High Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth I. It is still a family home, and the State Rooms are full of paintings and treasures, including ceiling paintings on the Heaven Room and Hell Staircase and carvings by Grinling Gibbons.

Tip: Book online in advance to save money on the day. Dogs on leads can use the parkland, but not the house, gardens or adventure play.

Bolingbroke Castle is a ruined castle in Old Bolingbroke, Lincolnshire. It was founded in 1220 by Ranulf, Earl of Chester, shortly after he returned from the Fifth Crusade. It is one of the earliest castles designed and built without a keep, relying instead on thick walls, five D-shaped towers and a twin-towered gatehouse.

Tip: Look for the lower walls and the ground floors of the towers, which are the main surviving parts to see.

Belton House is a Grade I listed country house near Grantham, built between 1685 and 1687 for the Brownlow family. It sits within formal gardens, including Italian and Dutch gardens, and a wooded park crossed by avenues leading to follies. The park has been home to a herd of fallow deer for over 300 years.

Tip: There's no need to book for normal visits, and parking is included in the entry fee. Park in the grounds, not in Belton village. Dogs on leads are welcome in the gardens, parkland and café, but not in the house or playgrounds.

Grimsthorpe Castle is a country house in Lincolnshire, a few miles north-west of Bourne on the A151. Despite the name it isn't a castle in the strict sense, but its towers and outlying pavilions give it a massive, fortress-like look. Much of the Tudor house still stands, and Sir John Vanbrugh designed the Baroque north front, which is regarded as his last masterpiece.

Tip: Head for the Vanbrugh hall and State Dining Room first, then take in the parkland.