Carolside House & Gardens

Carolside House & Gardens sits in a former deer park beside the River Leader, with an 18th-century mansion above a sheltered valley. The heart of the visit is an oval walled garden planted with old roses, including a National Collection of pre-1900 Gallica roses, alongside herbaceous borders, delphinium beds and a potager of vegetables. Smaller rooms take in a herb garden, a winter garden and an apple orchard, and a walk through the surrounding park follows the river past an 18th-century bridge. It suits families who enjoy gardens, the outdoors and a slower pace, with older children likely to get most from the walks and the quiet corners. Under-16s are admitted free. Dogs are allowed in the park on leads, with sheep grazing there, but are not admitted into the gardens themselves.