Lytes Cary Manor

Lytes Cary Manor is a small medieval manor house owned by the National Trust, set in an estate of farmland, meadows and woodland on the edge of the Somerset countryside. Inside, families can look round panelled rooms furnished with antiques collected by the Jenner family, and the 14th-century chapel is a quieter stop for older children. Outside, the Arts and Crafts garden has topiary, herbaceous borders and a croquet lawn to wander around. The main draw for younger visitors is the White Walk, a wooded trail with a natural play area that includes a large hammock swing, a rope traverse and stepping logs. There are also three waymarked estate walks, a small tea-room with indoor and outdoor seating, and a second-hand book barn in the old cow sheds. The site suits a relaxed half-day out, with space to run about outdoors and a programme of seasonal events, including a Christmas market held in the barns and courtyard.