Hanbury Hall and Gardens

Considering it was built in 1701, this William and Mary style country pile isn't doing too badly for modern restoration: having been sympathetically restored from the restored Hercules rooms and recreated Gothic corridor, to the recently re-decorated smoking room and stunning staircase wall-paintings, they've done it so well they've won the nationally recognised ICON award! You can enjoy a family trail around the house which helps keep the less curious smalls moving.

The glorious 18th century parkland (400 acres!) and recreated gardens (20 acres) have restored features including the avenues, semi-circle and brick kiln pond. Untouched traditional features include an intricately laid out parterre, fragrant fruit garden, grove and orangery, robust orchard and an old fashioned bowling green. All very well and good for grown ups but where's the playground? You can find that at the far side of the gardens near the mushroom and ice houses, both of which are also worth a look with your cool little fun-guys (see what we did there?).

You can even take a guided garden tour most afternoons, ideal for keeping granparents busy while you hit the playground, or if you just don't want to miss a thing! All tour tickets are allocated on arrival (they're non bookable). Running from 14 February to 1 November, they aim the tour at 12:20pm. Worth noting that admission to house is by timed ticket on busy days, so you may have to hit the playground while you wait. Not a bad thing!