Prior Park

The moment you crest the hill above Bradford-on-Avon, Prior Park unfolds below you like a landscape painting come to life. This 18th-century garden slopes down to a string of ornamental lakes, with a Palladian bridge crossing the middle one - the sort of view that explains why the National Trust bothers maintaining these places at all.

It's owned by the Trust and free to wander around, though you'll want to allow a good two hours if you're doing it properly. The gardens were designed by landscape architect Ralph Allen, and they've got that formal-meets-romantic Georgian thing going on. Paths wind through woodland, past follies and viewpoints. Kids will enjoy the theatrical scale of it, but they might lose interest after the initial lake circuit unless they're keen on trees.

Walkers and photographers absolutely should make the trip. The views back towards the Cotswolds are genuinely worth your time, and the whole place has a sense of calm that most gardens lose once they hit tourist season. The bridge itself - you'll recognise it if you've seen any period drama filmed around Bath - draws crowds on sunny weekends, so go on a weekday morning if you can.

From the nearby holiday parks like Campwell Farm or Widbrook Barns, it's an easy drive into Bradford-on-Avon. Pair it with a proper look around the town itself - the bridge and the weaving heritage are solid - and you've got a proper afternoon sorted. The park's positioned well for exploring the wider area without fighting crowds.