Downside Abbey - Basilica of St Gregory the Great

The first thing that strikes you about Downside Abbey is the sheer scale of it. This Benedictine monastery near Mells rises up from the Somerset countryside like something plucked from continental Europe rather than the Home Counties. The basilica itself - dedicated to St Gregory the Great - is a genuine Victorian engineering feat, all soaring arches and intricate brickwork that somehow manages to feel both monumental and intimate at once.

You're looking at a working community here, not a museum. Monks actually live and work on the grounds, which gives the place a sense of purpose that some heritage sites lack entirely. The basilica is the centrepiece, obviously. The interior is remarkably peaceful even when there are visitors milling about. Stained glass catches the light properly, and the acoustics mean you can hear the plainchant services if you time your visit right - that's worth planning for.

Historians and anyone with an interest in Catholic England will find plenty to occupy a good hour or two. For families, it depends on the kids. If they're the type who find ornate architecture interesting, brilliant. If you're hoping for interactive exhibits and things to poke at, you'll be disappointed. Admission details can be vague online, so ring ahead to confirm opening times.

Combine this with a stay at Glamping on the Hill just down the road, and you've got a proper contemplative Somerset break without the tourist infrastructure of Bath or Wells weighing you down.