Corsham Almshouse and Schoolroom

A converted 17th-century almshouse in Corsham that's been turned into a small museum. It's the kind of place that gives you a genuine sense of what life was actually like for poorer residents centuries ago - rather more cramped and austere than you might expect. The schoolroom sits alongside, offering a snapshot of Victorian education with original fixtures and period furniture that hasn't been over-restored or prettified.

You'll want to allow about 45 minutes to an hour here. History buffs and anyone curious about social welfare and education will get the most from it, though families with older children interested in how things used to work won't find it tedious. The rooms are small - deliberately so, which rather drives home the point.

It's free entry, which is fair given the modest scale. Opening hours can be variable, so worth checking ahead or ringing Chippenham tourist office before heading over. The building sits in the heart of Corsham itself, so you can easily combine it with a walk round the town's Georgian architecture and grab lunch while you're at it.

If you're basing yourself at one of the nearby caravan parks - Piccadilly is closest at just over 2 miles away, or Plough Lane at 4.5 miles - this works as a solid wet-weather activity or a quiet morning before heading to bigger attractions in the area. Bath's only 20 minutes away if you want something grander.