National Trust: Cronkhill

Cronkhill sits a few miles south of Shrewsbury as one of those architectural surprises you stumble upon and think, 'how have I never heard of this?' It's a Regency villa designed by John Nash in 1802 - you know, the bloke who did Buckingham Palace - and it's genuinely odd in the best way. The whole thing reads Italian, which was deliberately strange for rural Shropshire at the time. Squat towers, rendered walls, those deep eaves. It shouldn't work but it does.

You're looking at a Grade I listed property that the National Trust now runs, and it's the kind of place that appeals most to architecture enthusiasts and anyone into early 19th-century design. Not much of a day out for kids, honestly - it's a house, it's quite small, and you'll be done in 45 minutes tops. But if you're into Nash's work or curious about how the wealthy were experimenting with style during the Regency era, it's absolutely worth the detour from Shrewsbury.

The grounds are pleasant enough for a wander, though nothing to plan your day around. Spring Field Dark Skies Eco Camp is nearby if you're after a proper Shropshire countryside base - about five miles away. Check the National Trust website for current opening hours and admission prices before you go, as these places are sometimes restricted to certain days.