Renishaw Hall
Renishaw Nr. Sheffield S21 3WB
Castellated and creeper-clad Renishaw Hall has been home of the extraordinary Sitwell family (Dame Edith, Sir Osbert and Sir Sacheverell) for almost 400 years, and the current incumbent Alexandra is the daughter of the late Sir Reresby and Lady Sitwell. The Sitwells have always been avid collectors and patrons of the arts and the history of the family is filled with writers, innovators and eccentrics. You can't just turn up and go round, but guided tours are held regularly - best to call before you set off.
If for whatever reason the Hall isn't open it's still worth going to wander round the eight acres of stunning Italianate gardens studded with fabulous statues and sculpture are, as is the vineyard (yes, you heard right!) - sample the rather good wine in the Gallery Cafe. And, extraordinarily, the National Collection of Yuccas lives here. In 1979 the head gardener Trevor Key bought a yucca from Tesco; now it's 33 years old and 12 feet tall. Key started a collection, sourcing rare seeds from America and growing them at Renishaw. Now there are over 40 species, and well worth a visit. If, when you get there it looks vaguely familiar, the 1995 TV series Pride & Prejudice was filmed here.
