Ashley Court

Ashley Court sits just outside Tiverton, a proper Tudor manor house that stops you in your tracks the moment you round the bend. The brick and stone facade is genuine - built in the 16th century and looking every bit the part, with those characteristic chimneys and mullioned windows that make you forget what century you're actually in.

You can walk the grounds and admire the exterior, which is the main draw here. It's not a grand estate with sweeping lawns - more intimate than that - but there's something genuinely moving about standing in front of a building that's been here since Tudor times. The architecture tells its own story without needing a guided tour.

This works best as part of a broader wander around Tiverton rather than a destination in itself. Families with older kids who appreciate a bit of history will get something from it; younger children might lose interest after twenty minutes. Give it thirty to forty-five minutes if you're thorough, less if you just want the photographs.

If you're staying at Nirvana Glamping nearby, it's a straightforward drive in to see Ashley Court and poke around Tiverton's town centre. Don't expect cafes or facilities at the house itself - bring what you need. Best visited on a clear day when the brickwork photographs properly. Worth the detour if you're local or passing through, but not worth planning your entire holiday around.