Althorp Estate

The private residence of the Spencer family sits just outside Northampton, famous worldwide for one reason alone - it's where Diana, Princess of Wales, was laid to rest. Althorp Estate opens to the public during summer months, and visitors come to see the grounds, the exhibition spaces dedicated to Diana's life, and the island where she's buried in the Round Oval.

Walking around feels respectful rather than morbid. The house itself is genuinely grand - a 16th-century estate with proper gravitas - and the gardens are well-maintained. You'll spend a good three to four hours here if you're thorough, longer if you queue during peak season. The Diana exhibition is thorough without being saccharine, and the grounds themselves warrant a wander even if the royal connection doesn't move you.

This isn't for everyone. History buffs and those with genuine interest in the Spencer family will find it absorbing. Families with young children might struggle - it's not interactive, and there's a lot of walking between exhibits. The admission fee is steep, so check opening dates and hours before planning your visit.

If you're basing yourself at one of the caravan sites nearby - Covert Farm or Steepleton Lodge are within easy reach of Northampton - Althorp works as a morning or afternoon excursion. It's the sort of place you either really want to see or you don't. No middle ground.