The Cockpit

The Cockpit sits quietly in one of London's least obvious corners, a Georgian garden that most people walk straight past. Built in the 1760s on the site of an actual cockfighting arena - hence the name - it's survived centuries of urban sprawl to become something rather special: a proper working garden with formal layouts, contemporary sculptures, and enough tranquility to make you forget you're in the capital.

What you get is a wander through different garden rooms, each with its own character. There's trained fruit trees, herbaceous borders, and seasonal plantings that change the whole mood depending when you visit. The sculptures scattered about give it an edge - nothing twee or overdone, just thoughtful pieces that catch you off guard.

It's not massive, so two hours is more than enough to see everything properly, which makes it ideal if you're based at Lovat Parks nearby and want a half-day excursion into London. History buffs will dig the Georgian bones of the place, but it's really landscape designers and gardeners who'll get the most from it - the planting knowledge on display is exceptional. Families with young children might find it a bit quiet, to be honest.

Free to visit, which is frankly generous for somewhere this well-maintained. Spring and early summer are when it genuinely sings, but even in winter there's structure and sense to the design that keeps it interesting. Well worth the short journey from your holiday park.