Washington Old Hall in Washington village, Tyne and Wear, is the ancestral home of George Washington's family, who took their surname from this place; the stone manor house incorporates parts of the medieval home of the first US president's direct ancestors and today reflects gentry life after the English Civil War. Much loved locally, it is backed by a large Friends organisation. Inside are furnished period rooms and a second-hand bookshop on the first-floor landing; outside, a formal parterre, fruit trees, a wildlife-rich nuttery and a small play area with a wooden castle. Reviewers praise the knowledgeable volunteers and the immaculately kept gardens, and note that this small property does not take long to see. Tips from visitors: parking is free on The Avenue beside the property, with mobility spaces on site that must be booked; there is no cafe, so bring a picnic; and dogs are welcome in the grounds but not the hall.
