Operation Pied Piper

During World War II, a handful of scientists and military strategists gathered in a nondescript corner of Somerset to plan one of the war's most audacious operations - the mass evacuation of children from British cities. Operation Pied Piper is that story, told through what remains of the command centre and supporting documentation.

It's a sobering place to spend an hour or so. You won't find much fanfare here - no theme park theatrics, just the bare facts of how nearly 3.5 million children were uprooted from their homes in a matter of days. The physical site itself is modest, but the weight of what happened there settles on you quickly. History types and anyone interested in wartime Britain will find it genuinely moving rather than exploitative.

The nearest town is Bristol, which makes this easy to slot into a longer visit. If you're staying at Somerset Glamping nearby - a cracking spot with proper reviews - you could combine this with a walk along the local paths. Allow a couple of hours including the journey from Bristol, though the site visit itself won't take more than 45 minutes unless you're really into the detail.

Best visited on a quieter day if possible. The atmosphere matters here more than the infrastructure, and crowds would cheapen it. Worth the detour if you're exploring Somerset's war heritage, though not essential if you're mainly after outdoor activities.