William Shakespeare

Standing in the half-timbered house where the world's greatest playwright drew his first breath feels properly spine-tingling. Shakespeare's birthplace on Henley Street in Stratford-upon-Avon pulls you straight back to 1564, complete with Tudor furniture and the very room where young Will made his entrance.

Literature buffs will absolutely lap this up, though kids might find the guided tour a touch heavy unless they're already hooked on the Bard. The exhibits do a decent job explaining how a glover's son became immortal, with plenty of period details about Elizabethan family life. New Place, where Shakespeare spent his final years, sits just down the road and makes for a good double-header.

Expect to spend a good two hours if you're doing both properties justice. The town centre location means you can easily walk between the various Shakespeare sites, though parking's a right pain during summer months.

Families staying at nearby spots like Dodwell Park or Stratford Parks will find this makes an excellent rainy day alternative to theme parks. The Apple Farm Glamping is close enough for a morning visit before heading to the RSC theatre for an evening performance. Just don't expect bargain prices - this is prime tourist territory and the admission fees reflect that reality.