Fodor's Expert Review Temple Newsam

A grand country estate in the middle of a city, this huge Elizabethan and Jacobean building—the family home and birthplace of Lord Darnley (1545–67), the notorious husband of Mary, Queen of Scots—contains one of Britain's most important collections of fine and decorative arts, including furniture, paintings, and ceramics. Surrounding the house are 1,500 acres of parkland, lakes, gardens, miles of woodland walks, as well as a working rare breeds farm, where kids can enjoy a petting zoo. The park and gardens were created by noted 18th-century landscape designer, Capability Brown. Temple Newsam is 4 miles east of Leeds on A63; Bus 10 runs directly from Leeds Central Bus station from Easter to mid-September.