Sound Garden

The Sound Garden sits just outside Lanark, a place where someone has gone to considerable effort to create something genuinely different. It's not your typical row of flower beds - instead, it's a space designed around sound, with instruments and installations scattered throughout that visitors are encouraged to play with. Wind chimes catch the breeze, metal sculptures resonate when struck, and there are percussion bits dotted about that actually make you stop and think about how gardens can engage more than just your eyes.

Walking through feels a bit like being in someone's experimental art project, which is either brilliant or not your thing depending on what you're after. It works well for families with kids old enough to appreciate making noise without it being a total free-for-all - toddlers might get restless, but eight-year-olds onwards tend to find it engaging. Adults who like slightly offbeat attractions rather than the standard stately home gardens will get more from it. Allow 45 minutes to an hour, longer if you're the type to sit and actually listen.

Practically speaking, opening hours and admission fees aren't readily available online, so ring ahead before travelling - nothing worse than arriving at a locked gate. If you're staying at Ecosse Glamping nearby, it makes a decent half-day addition to a South Lanarkshire break, though don't expect it to anchor an entire holiday. It's quirky enough to warrant the detour if you're in the area, but not worth a special trip from miles away.