National Trust - Hughenden

Benjamin Disraeli's home sits on a hillside above Marlow, and it's immediately clear why the Victorian Prime Minister chose this spot. The red-brick manor has an oddly theatrical quality - all turrets and gables against the Buckinghamshire landscape. Inside, you get the full picture of mid-19th century political life: his study where he drafted speeches, personal effects that actually feel personal rather than museum-sterile, and the kind of clutter that suggests real people lived here.

The gardens are the real draw though. Disraeli was obsessive about them, and you can still feel that energy walking through the wooded grounds and around the small lake. It's not strenuous - a solid hour covers the main paths without rushing - but the hills mean it's no flat amble either.

Historians and anyone interested in Victorian politics will get the most from the house itself. Families with walkers aged ten-plus will enjoy the grounds and the sense of adventure a rambling Victorian estate provides. Anyone younger might find the interior a bit lecture-heavy.

You'll need to check current opening hours with the National Trust before visiting - they vary by season - but allow a solid three hours if you want to see both house and gardens properly. It's worth combining with a walk into Marlow or exploring the other camping sites scattered across the Chilterns like Penn Meadow Farm or Shillingridge Glamping. The whole area is excellent for a holiday base.