1-Bedroom Hot Tub Cottage in Byton - Fun Days Out

Ludlow Castle is a partly ruined medieval fortress in the Shropshire market town of Ludlow, standing on a high promontory above the River Teme. Probably founded around 1075, it was one of the first stone castles built in England and later became the seat of the Council of Wales and the Marches.

You can walk through the castle grounds and explore the ruined lodgings of kings, queens, princes, judges and nobility, a glimpse into medieval and Tudor life. Highlights include the Great Tower, the Great Hall and a rare circular chapel modelled on the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The views over the Shropshire countryside are superb. The castle covers almost five acres, and a guide book is available if you want the full story. There is a cafe and a gift shop on site.

Tip: There is no parking at the castle itself, so plan to park in the town and walk in.

West Midlands Safari Park, near Bewdley in Worcestershire, combines a drive-through safari with walk-through animal areas and an adventure theme park. The four-mile Safari Drive takes you past lions, giraffes, rhinos, tigers and more, including white lions and cheetahs, with the cheetah reserve billed as the UK's largest drive-by one.

On foot, you can visit walk-through areas with penguins, hippos, lemurs, sea lions, lorikeets and meerkats. The African Walking Trail gets you close to elephants, giraffes and rhinos, while Tiger Tropics and Lion Ridge are for big cat fans. Land of the Living Dinosaurs adds animatronic dinosaurs and fossils, and there are daily feeds and talks. Rides in the theme park can be added to your ticket, and the Discovery Trail has mostly indoor exhibits, which helps if the weather turns.

Croft Castle is a castellated 17th-century manor house that has been the home of the Croft family for many centuries. Inside, you can look round the castle rooms, while outside there are colourful herbaceous borders, a secret garden and a walled garden with a small working vineyard, historic apple trees and a glasshouse. The church of St Michael and All Angels stands opposite, and parts of it date back to the 12th century.

The real draw for many is the 1,500 acres of historic parkland, with woodland, farmland, the picturesque Fishpool Valley, an Iron Age hillfort and ancient trees. Families can head for the castle play area or the natural play area with rope swings and balance beams. Walkers have plenty of routes to choose from, and the tea-room serves snacks, sandwiches, cakes, pasties and ice creams.

Tip: Dogs on leads are welcome in the garden and parkland but not in the house. Satnav users should enter HR6 0BL, as the National Trust recommends.

Stokesay is a moated, walled manor house near Craven Arms. Though it looks like a castle, it was really a lightly defended mansion, with work completed by 1291. The stone hall and solar block sit behind two stone towers, and the hall keeps its 13th-century wooden-beamed ceiling. The timber and plaster gatehouse at the entrance dates from the 17th century.

You can explore the Great Hall, climb the North Tower, look inside the Solar and take the walled garden and moat walk. There is an audio tour, and families can follow a puzzle quest inspired by local giants. The playground is themed on the castle's towers and gatehouse. The dog-friendly cottage tearoom outside the castle has a log burner and outdoor seating with views of the Shropshire Hills.

Tip: Book advance tickets online through English Heritage, and finish with a break in the tearoom, which is open to all and welcomes dogs.

Clun Castle is a ruined Welsh border castle on a rocky mound beside the River Clun, on the edge of the small, picturesque town of Clun. Founded shortly after the Norman Conquest, it still has its tall 13th century keep, which unusually sits on the side of the mound, along with extensive earthworks to wander around.

Bring a picnic and let the children run around and explore. It is also a good spot for dogs, though Hemlock and Hemlock water dropwort grow around the site and in the river, so keep dogs on leads and children closely supervised. The village is a short walk away for food, shops and pubs. Stokesay Castle, Wigmore Castle and Acton Burnell Castle are all nearby if you fancy a castle-hopping day.

Tip: Wear sturdy footwear as the grounds have steep slopes and uneven ground; there is a free car park next to the castle, with toilets, reached by a footbridge with steps.

Hay Castle is a medieval fortification with a 17th-century mansion alongside, right in the centre of the book town of Hay-on-Wye. Founded by the Normans and rebuilt in stone around 1200, it has been attacked and burnt several times over the centuries. After years of restoration it now works as a centre for arts, literature and learning, with an exhibition gallery inside a modern refit of the old building.

You can explore the floors of the castle, visit the gallery and head up to the roof of the keep for views over the town and the River Wye. It's also home to the world's first Honesty Bookshop, and there's a café and shop. The Great Hall is free to enter. It suits history fans, book lovers and anyone who fancies pairing a castle visit with a wander around Hay's streets.

Tip: Use the large public car park off Oxford Road, which has free electric vehicle charging points. Dogs must stay on a lead, and are welcome on the ground floor, in the café and in the grounds.

Eastnor Castle is a 19th-century mock castle in Herefordshire, built between 1811 and 1820 to the designs of Robert Smirke, later the main architect of the British Museum. It was made to look like one of the medieval castles guarding the Welsh borders, and it is still a private home, with tours open to the public in certain months of the year.

Inside, A. W. N. Pugin decorated the Gothic drawing room in 1849-50. Outside, the gardens and parkland are Grade II* designated. The Eastnor Obelisk, also Grade II* listed, stands in the deer park just over a mile from the castle. The estate also has an 18th-century flour mill that has been restored to working order. Eastnor has appeared in films and television, including two episodes of Succession, so fans of period drama may spot familiar rooms.

Tip: The castle is only open for tours in certain months, so check before you set off.

Pitchford Hall is a Grade I listed Tudor country house about six miles from Shrewsbury, built around 1560. Its timber-framed, black-and-white look is striking, and the estate has an orangery and walled garden. Queen Victoria stayed here as a young princess, and during the Second World War the house was chosen as a possible retreat for the royal family.

The star of the grounds is the treehouse, set in a large lime tree and first mentioned in 1692. It is arguably the oldest in the world, with gothic windows on all sides and a carved ceiling inside. A tour covers the hall, the grounds and the treehouse, led by a knowledgeable guide. It suits history lovers, families curious about the treehouse, and anyone happy to wander through Shropshire countryside.

Tip: Tours of the hall, grounds and treehouse need to be booked in advance through Invitation to View.