Stourhead House

The Palladian mansion sits on a ridge above the village of Stourton, about four miles south of Wincanton, and it's the gardens that steal the show here - not the house itself. The 18th-century landscape is a masterclass in romantic design: a series of lakes, temples, and follies arranged so you're constantly discovering new vistas as you walk the circuit. There's a grotto with an underground stream, a Turkish tent, a pantheon. It reads like someone's fever dream of the classical world, but in the best possible way.

Walkers will get the most satisfaction here. The circuit takes a couple of hours at a leisurely pace, and you'll want that time to sit and actually absorb each view rather than rush through. Families with young kids might find it a touch long unless they're genuinely interested in spotting temples, but the water and woodland keep things reasonably engaging. The house itself is worth an hour if you're into furniture and Regency-era interiors, though it's not the main event.

It's National Trust property, so admission isn't cheap but does include the grounds and gardens. Summer weekends get rammed, so aim for a quieter day if possible. Both Sunnyhill Campsite and Longleat Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite are within easy striking distance - under six miles away - making it a natural pairing if you're doing a week in Somerset. The combination of stately home and landscape design makes it a proper half-day well spent.