Pool View Lodge - Fun Days Out

Whittington Castle stands in the village of Whittington in northern Shropshire, close to the Welsh border and the old fort of Old Oswestry. It began as a motte-and-bailey castle and was rebuilt in the 13th century, with buildings along a curtain wall, five towers on a raised platform, a moat and an outer gatehouse or barbican.

There is plenty of history to take in, from the Norman and FitzWarin families to attacks by Welsh princes. A 2003 investigation found that the outer bailey held two elaborate gardens surrounded by water in the 14th century, with a viewing mound in the centre that may be the oldest of its type found in England. The castle is now cared for by a community trust after a major renovation, and a re-enactment group gathers here each year to stage battles.

Tip: Look for the viewing mound in the centre of the site, which may be the oldest of its kind found in England.

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct carries the Llangollen Canal across the River Dee in the Vale of Llangollen. Designed by Thomas Telford and William Jessop, it is a cast iron trough held 127 ft (39 m) above the river on eighteen hollow masonry piers, with 19 arched spans. It is 336 yards (307 m) long and about 12 feet wide.

The aqueduct is made for narrowboats, and a towpath runs alongside the water on one side, so you can see the structure from the canal itself. It is a Grade I listed building and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Trevor Basin sits just over the aqueduct, at the end of the canal route that was completed.

Plas Newydd in Llangollen was the home of Lady Eleanor Butler and Sarah Ponsonby, two Irish ladies who eloped and set up house together in the late 18th century. It began as a five-roomed stone cottage and was enlarged with many Gothic features. It is now a museum.

The most unusual feature is the exterior, where reclaimed oak carvings from broken-up furniture and church fittings are set patchwork-style over much of the outside, alongside black-and-white trim and stained glass. The ladies also developed the gardens, adding a "ruined" archway, rustic bridges and a temple. Visitors included Wordsworth, Sir Walter Scott and the Duke of Wellington. Those interested in the story of the house and its famous residents will find plenty to look at.

Tip: Look closely at the outside of the house as well as the rooms, since the patchwork of reclaimed oak carvings is its most unusual feature.

Shrewsbury Castle is a Grade I listed red sandstone castle standing on a hill in the neck of the River Severn's meander. Ordered by William I around 1067, it was extended as a base for operations into Wales. Parts of the original medieval structure remain, including the inner bailey.

Inside, the museum tells the story of the county's regimental past, from the King's Shropshire Light Infantry to the 53rd and 85th regiments. Collections include a lock of Napoleon Bonaparte's hair, Karl Dönitz's Grand Admiral's Baton and several Victoria Crosses. Laura's Tower overlooks the townscape and countryside. History fans and anyone curious about military heritage will enjoy it, and the grounds make a pleasant stop in the middle of town.

Tip: Access to the castle grounds is free, so you can look around them even if you don't go into the museum.

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.

Erddig is a late 17th-century country house near Wrexham, saved from dereliction in the 1970s. The Yorke family had an unusual relationship with their servants and commemorated them in portraits and poems, and the servants' quarters and estate workshops survive well. Outbuildings include the Joiners' Workshop, Smithy, Sawmill and Stables, and the house holds a fine collection of 17th-century furniture.

Outside, there is a restored 18th-century walled garden with Dutch influence, plus a large estate of meadows, lakes, woodland and waymarked walks. Families can use the Wolf's Den natural play area in Big Wood, and the Hayloft Restaurant serves hot food, cakes and afternoon tea. It suits history fans, walkers and families who want a mix of house, garden and open air.

Tip: Postcodes aren't always recognised by sat navs, so follow the brown signs on the A525 or A483. Parking is free. Dogs are welcome in the garden and on the estate on a lead, but not in the Hall, Hayloft Restaurant, shop or Wolf's Den (assistance dogs are allowed everywhere). Check the National Trust dog page before you go, as rules can change.

Chirk Castle (Castell y Waun) was built in 1295 by Roger Mortimer de Chirk as part of Edward I's chain of fortresses across north Wales, guarding the entrance to the Ceiriog Valley. It was partly demolished in the English Civil War and then rebuilt, and the Myddelton family bought it in 1593. It is a National Trust property and Grade I listed.

The gardens are a big part of the visit, with clipped yew hedges, herbaceous borders, rock gardens and terraces. They sit within 18th-century parkland that began as a medieval deer park. Offa's Dyke runs through the park, within 200 yards of the castle, and the Oak at the Gate of the Dead marks the site of the 1165 Battle of Crogen. It will suit history lovers and keen gardeners.

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.