Marble Hill

Marble Hill sits on the Thames between Chessington and Richmond, a sprawling Georgian mansion that catches you off guard with how grand it actually is. You're expecting a modest riverside property and instead find yourself staring at this proper 18th-century palace with gardens that roll down to the water's edge.

The house itself was built for Henrietta Howard, a royal mistress with excellent taste, and the interior delivers - ornate plasterwork, period furniture, and rooms that speak to serious wealth. The grounds matter as much as the building though. Walking the pathways between the river and the mansion, you get proper views of the Thames, and on a decent day the gardens feel properly spacious for somewhere so close to suburban Surrey.

Walkers will get the most from this. You're not going to spend six hours here, but the house tour takes a solid couple of hours, and the grounds are worth a good wander. Kids might find the interior a touch dull - it's not a hands-on place - but families who enjoy a stroll and don't mind period rooms will find it worthwhile.

It's free to access the grounds, though the house itself usually charges for entry. The nearest proper accommodation is Walton on Thames Camping and Caravanning Club Site, just five miles away, which makes it a straightforward morning or afternoon visit. Best timing is late spring through early autumn when the gardens are at their best and the riverside walk is actually pleasant.