Furness Abbey

Furness was England's second richest Cistercian abbey, and its red sandstone ruins, cradled in a wooded valley on the edge of Barrow, are big enough to feel like a small town: tall arches, walls with the sky showing through them, and rough grass and lawn all round. English Heritage says there is plenty of room for children to run and play, which is exactly how a visit goes.

The World Builder Challenge trail has children following markers round the ruins while they design a city of their own, and a reconstructed night stair climbs to a viewing platform so you can look down on the church as the monks did. The visitor centre holds carved knight effigies, a rare 12th-century silver-gilt crozier and a gemstone ring from an abbot's grave.

Parking is free, but there is no cafe on site, just a vending machine and ice creams, so bring a picnic for the benches outside the visitor centre. Dogs on leads are welcome, and there is extra parking by the separately run Abbey Mill cafe at the far end of the site.

What it costs: On the day, with donation: adult £10, child (5 to 17) £5, family (two adults, up to three children) £25; without donation £9, £4.50 and £22.70. Advance online tickets bought by midnight the day before are 15% less (adult £8.50, child £4.25, family £21.25 with donation). English Heritage members free. Prices change with the season.

Looking for more days out in Barrow-in-Furness?