Heart of the countryside

This stately home is popular during Open House weekend in September, but you get an early opportunity at this fundraiser to restore the Victorian kitchen. There are 30 stalls of crafts and books.

Children's entertainment is provided by a lookalike Harry Potter, while adults can hear about the history of the building at noon and 3.30pm. Tours of the 18th-century gardens are at 2pm.

Valentines Mansion, Emerson Road, Gants Hill, Essex (020-8554 4447). Sat 15 May, 10am-5pm, £1, under-12s free. www.valentinesmansion.org.uk.