Lytes Cary Manor

The gardens at Lytes Cary Manor sprawl across fourteen acres of proper Somerset countryside, just a few miles south of Glastonbury. What strikes you first is how little it feels like a formal attraction - more like you've wandered into someone's exceptionally well-kept back garden, only it happens to belong to the National Trust and dates back to the 15th century.

You're walking through what was once a working apothecary's garden, so expect herb beds, medicinal plants, and the kind of thoughtful planting that makes sense rather than just looks showy. The manor house itself is handsome in that understated Tudor way, but honestly, most visitors spend their time outside. There's a topiary garden that's been here since the 1920s, a proper kitchen garden, and enough mature trees to make you forget you're in Somerset at all.

It's best suited to anyone with a genuine interest in plants and garden history rather than kids after a fast-paced day out. Two hours is about right unless you're the type to sit and sketch. The walk around is gentle, manageable for most ages, though there are slopes.

If you're based at Orchard Farm Luxury Glamping or Long Hazel Park nearby, this works as a calm half-day break from the Glastonbury circus. Worth combining with a visit to other National Trust properties in the area, or as a quieter counterpoint to bigger attractions. Worth checking ahead on opening times and whether entry fees apply - details aren't always easy to pin down online.