New Hall

New Hall sits just outside Salisbury, a substantial Tudor mansion that's genuinely worth tracking down if you're into proper old buildings. The house itself dates from around 1500s and still carries that unmistakable Tudor character - the kind of place where you can actually feel the centuries pressing down on the brick and timber.

What you'll see depends on access arrangements, which can be a bit vague if you're planning ahead. Sometimes it's open for tours, other times it's a private residence. Ring ahead before you go - nothing worse than driving out from Salisbury expecting to nose around inside only to find the gates locked. The grounds and exterior are worth a look regardless, and the setting near the Avon Valley gives it proper context as a working estate rather than a museum piece.

This appeals most to anyone serious about Tudor England rather than casual day-trippers. History enthusiasts will spend a good couple of hours here if access permits; families with younger kids might find it less gripping unless they've got a real passion for period properties. The practical approach is to combine it with Salisbury itself - the cathedral and market town give you a full day - then use one of the nearby caravan parks like Salisbury Camping and Caravanning Club Site as your base. It's close enough that you won't feel you've wasted petrol, but honest enough not to oversell what's on offer.