STONYHURST College is an estate widely regarded as the ‘Jewel in the Crown’ of Lancashire’s beautiful Ribble Valley.

The college, a Grade I-listed building which nestles amid some of Lancashire’s most beautiful hills and valleys, is now more accessible to the public than ever before.

The combination of a recently-opened museum and the introduction of college tours has firmly cemented the venue as one of the county’s most treasured destinations.

The newest addition to Stonyhurst, The Chapel Museum, is a treasure-trove full of historical relics from every corner of the globe.

Once the home of Sherlock Holmes author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who attended the college in the 1870s, Stonyhurst's new museum boasts an impressive collection of artifacts dating all the way back to 1609.

Speaking about why Stonyhurst is so popular with visitors, Jan Graffius, a curator at Stoneyhurst said: "The College is a unique building with a fascinating history, and it is something that we love to share with visitors when our tours are running.

"People are always impressed by the scale and grandeur of the College and our tour guides are passionate and knowledgeable about the school, which is brought to life with anecdotes about former students, such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle."

Among treasures in the museum is a rare first edition of William Shakespeare’s First Folio - a document dating back to 1623 and often regarded as the most important piece of work in the history of English literature.

The collection on view, which has a focus on religious history, has been described as ‘displays that circle the globe, from prehistory to ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome.’

Items once belonging to some of the country’s most prolific literary figures aren’t the only things you’ll find at the college.

A Victoria Cross, awarded to one of the college's alumni is on display in the museum, alongside the portraits of no less than seven of the school’s other students who were also awarded the VC ordaining the walls of the Great Hall.

All visitors are asked to check the website before they turn up as tours don't run all year round. Visit stonyhurst.ac.uk for more details.