Visitors to East Riddlesden Hall, near Keighley, surged by more than 20 per cent this year.

The number visiting the 17th century manor house by the end of October rose to 29,178, up from 24,706 in 2008.

The National Trust, which owns the property, said the rise was down to people choosing to stay at home rather than travel abroad on holiday during the recession.

The increase has been mirrored at other National Trust properties in the region with a record 695,966 visitors flocking to its nine pay-for-entry sites in Yorkshire, up by more than 100,000 from last year.

David Ronn, the National Trust’s regional director for Yorkshire and North East, said: “Britons are exploring their own country again.”