Somerleyton Hall and Gardens

The first thing that hits you walking up to Somerleyton Hall is the sheer Victorian ambition of it all. This is proper estate living - a grand Victorian mansion surrounded by formal gardens that someone clearly spent serious money on, and it shows. The hall itself sits just east of Great Yarmouth, making it an easy afternoon from any of the nearby holiday parks like Broadland Sands or Haven Hopton.

Inside you'll find period rooms done up as they would have been, plus regular exhibitions. The real draw, though, is the gardens. There's a maze that'll occupy kids for longer than you'd think, ornamental ponds, and enough mature planting to make you understand why Victorians were so obsessed with horticulture. If you're into that sort of thing, you'll spend a good two to three hours here easily. Less keen gardeners might find the grounds a bit samey after an hour.

It's family-friendly without being gimmicky. No bouncy castles or ice cream vans trying too hard - just a proper house and gardens. The maze alone justifies the trip if you've got children old enough to actually navigate it rather than just wander about confused.

Paired with a day at one of the nearby holiday parks, it works as a solid change of pace from beach time. Check ahead for opening hours and admission fees - these estates vary. Worth ringing ahead rather than turning up and finding it closed.