Messingham Grange

Lured here by that on-site fishing lake? That’s not the only fishing hot spot hereabouts: it’s a five-minute walk from the site to Messingham Grange fisheries, where carp, crucian and ide swim about, and a 30-minute drive to Lindholme Lakes, which are full of carp, silverfish and F1s. Prefer wildlife encounters to be less of a predatory affair? It’s a five-minute walk to Messingham Zoo, where guests can get up close with raccoons, prairie dogs, arctic foxes and more, and there are safari-style rambles among lions, tigers and (polar) bears within 45 minutes’ drive at Yorkshire Wildlife Park. History buffs can dive into the past quite easily round here too: wander the streets of Gainsthorpe Medieval Village 15 minutes from base (a little imagination may be required there), tour Normanby Hall's Regency-era mansion and its parklands 25 minutes away, and explore the intriguing Mr Straw’s House about 50 minutes from base. Urban days (and plenty more history) can be had starting in Cleethorpes (50 minutes) on the boating lake, beach and Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway, before moving on to the big city at Lincoln (also 50 minutes) to see the castle, cathedral and copy of the Magna Carta, or to Hull and its art galleries, museums and The Deep aquarium an hour away.