National Trust - Arlington Court and the National Trust Carriage Museum

A mile or so inland from Ilfracombe, Arlington Court sits like a Victorian fantasy that someone actually had the money to build. It's a grand house - but the real draw here is the carriage museum tucked into the grounds, where you'll find everything from ornate Victorian carriages to a functioning sleigh. The collection is genuinely impressive and beats the standard stately home route of endless period furniture.

Inside the house itself, there's plenty to occupy a couple of hours: the library's rather special, and the collections reflect what one wealthy family managed to accumulate over generations. It doesn't feel as stuffy as some National Trust properties - there's actual character here, not just ropes and printed guides.

Historians and anyone keen on transport will get the most out of the carriages. Families with primary-age kids tend to find the house bit-long but the museum breaks things up nicely. Adults who enjoy Victorian architecture and the quirks of old money will spend a full afternoon here without rushing.

Admission isn't free - standard NT rates apply - and you'll want three hours minimum if you're doing both house and grounds properly. Spring and autumn are lovely for the gardens. If you're based at HARTA Retreat or Longlands just down the road, or camping at Newberry Valley or Stowford Farm Meadows, this makes a solid half-day outing without the drive being painful. It's not a must-do, but if you're already in north Devon, it's well worth the detour.