National Trust - Avebury Manor

The manor sits right at the heart of Avebury village, surrounded by one of Britain's most impressive stone circles - and that alone makes it worth stopping for. You're looking at a Grade I listed house that's been lived in for over 500 years, with rooms that actually tell you something about how people existed in different periods rather than just showing you empty furniture.

Inside, it's a proper working house tour. The kitchens are the real draw - you can see where meals were actually made, the scullery, the servants' quarters. Upstairs, the bedrooms and living spaces feel inhabited in a way many stately homes don't. The National Trust has done well here by not over-curating it. Allow a couple of hours if you're thorough, less if you're just dipping in between walks around the stones themselves.

Families with kids aged eight and up will get something from it. Younger children might find the rooms a bit samey. The gardens outside are worth a wander too, particularly if you time it right in spring or early summer.

If you're based at Ridgeway Campsite or any of the other parks within a few miles of Marlborough, Avebury Manor fits neatly into a day that includes walking the stone circle. The two complement each other well - the stones give you the mystery, the manor gives you the human story. It's not free, but admission is reasonable for National Trust members and day visitors alike. Go on a weekday morning if you can; weekends get rammed with coach parties.