Forget the period furnishings and restored interiors: the attraction of this Edwardian family home lies in its strange atmosphere. It is as though the house were frozen in time (1930) and the occupants, brothers William and Walter Straw, had just stepped out for a moment. Coats and caps still hang in the hall, jars of jam and tinned vegetables are stacked in the cupboards. It is a fascinating, moving and slightly disturbing experience.

Built by Robert Smythson, the Hall is late-Elizabethan, E-shaped and outward looking, abandoning the traditional internal courtyard. With the exception of the Parlour, the interior was fully refurbished in 1764 by Thomas Lumby, a local builder. The stairs are Lumby's masterpiece. The superb Long Gallery has displays of paintings and porcelain.

The focus of this extensive stretch of parkland and wooded walks, Clumber House, the seat of the Dukes of Newcastle since the early 18C, was demolished in 1930. Only its vague outline remains facing the lake, together with the chapel, vegetable garden, vineyard, apiary and decorative temples among the trees.

If you want to know more about Joseph Pickford as a Midlands architect or discover 18C domestic activities, a visit to this private residence, built by the architect in 1770 will enlighten you. The building has been restored to its original condition and also has a charming Georgian garden.