Hatchlands Park

The drive through the Mickleham valley gets you there - 18th-century country house with proper grounds that actually live up to the hype. Built for a naval admiral, the place feels genuinely lived-in rather than museum-sterile, which makes it worth the trip from Leatherhead.

Inside, you'll find a collection of keyboard instruments that's frankly brilliant if you're into that sort of thing - Broadwoods and Erards that belonged to famous musicians. The rooms themselves tell the story of how the house evolved from grand Georgian pile to something more intimate. Upstairs, the bedrooms are smaller than you'd expect, which somehow makes it feel more authentic.

But honestly? The grounds are where Hatchlands earns its keep. The parkland rolls away properly - open grassland, woodland sections, the whole lot. Allow a solid hour to walk it without rushing. Spring's lovely for the rhododendrons; autumn colours are decent too.

This works well for families who aren't desperate for theme park thrills. Older kids interested in social history get more from it. Pure historians will spend longer inside than most. A couple of hours total is realistic unless you're a serious keyboard buff.

It's National Trust, so expect admission charges and seasonal opening - check the website before you drive out. With Norbury Park just 5.8 miles away and Polesden Lacey near your camping options, you could string together a proper Surrey country house crawl. None are far from Leatherhead, which matters if weather turns.