Most people, when visiting Avebury, just go to see the prehistoric standing stones and then leave…read more This is a pity, as there is a lot more of this tiny village than the (admittedly UNESCO world heritage) standing stones. Just outside the stones, behind the church, is Avebury Manor. This comprises the Manor house itself, the surrounding gardens, a Dovecote, the Alexander Keiller museum (separate charge) and a 17th century barn and a former farmyard block. The manor house was built in the early 16th century, with later additions. Like the stone circle, these are all in the care of the National Trust. The rooms in the manor house were restored a decade or so ago, as part of a television series produced by the BBC, called "The Manor Reborn". Each of the rooms is decorated and furnished with restored or re-created furniture, to reflect a different period in the life of the house. There is a Tudor dining room and bedroom; the Queen Anne bedroom (she reputedly stayed here); a Georgian styled dining room; the early 20th century billiard room, library and kitchen; and the 1930s lounge. The lounge reflects the period when it was home to the wealthy archaeologist Alexander Keiller, who was responsible for the excavation and restoration of the stones in the 1930s. Unlike many properties run by the National Trust, Avebury Manor encourages a hands-on experience - you can sit on and touch the furniture, play billions on the billiard table, and generally enjoy being in the house. We found this a very refreshing change, enhance by the really lovely volunteer staff on hand. We could not have been made more welcome. Afterwards, do not miss the gardens, the formal garden, kitchen garden and topiary garden are all charming and afford some lovely photographic opportunities. Our only disappointment was the museum (we are members, so did not have to pay, but it is charged separately from the house). We found this a bit disappointing, although it does include the story of the restoration of the stones and there are some archaeological finds exhibited. Afterwards, don't miss going in the barn, which houses a veteran touring car. We visited the café (in the farmyard buildings) afterwards, and had a very nice orange and poppyseed cake and chocolate brownie with tea. I personally find that that National Trust cafés can be a little bit hit and miss, but this one was a hit largely because of the very charming staff. There is parking for those with disabled badges in the village, about a five minute walk from Avebury Manor itself. For everyone else, the main car park is situated about half a mile away, on the A4361 road between Beckhampton and Avebury.

Gorgeous surroundings and relaxed atmosphere. Very spiritual place. We went to the café/restaurant…read morewhich was nice, but the manager was very cold to us and spoke down to his staff (I presume he was as he was the manager as he was the only one not in uniform) The barn was great and a lovely walk through the gardens. Fantastic location. Thoroughly recommend.

What a fantastic day out. This place offers a lot for family's…read more Great value for £8 per adult and £5 for children over two, under twos are free ! The grounds are fantastic lots of open space for the children to wonder and explore and also paths that follow through the trees and gardens. There's a big adventure playground full of lots to explore, zip wire, slide climbing frame etc. There were also blow up slides and a paddling pool. There was a separate area with Wendy houses, trampolines and a climbing frame for the smaller children which was in a really nice relaxing area. You can get up close with pigs, rabbits, guinea pigs and chickens in Pet's Corner. There is 66 acres of beautiful gardens and woodland walks, the views across the River Severn and Wales and spectacular ! There's also a cafe and shop. The cafe is really nice I had a caramel latte with a cheese and chutney sandwich came to £5.50 wich Is good value. Plenty of parking available. Overall a fantastic day out which was really enjoyed by all.

Old Down Country Park is not your typical stately home. It is a farm/zoo/park/house. Great for the…read morewhole family too. They have large lawn areas for picnics, a café for those who didn't pre-prepare food, and lots and ltos of animals. Expect to find your typical farm animals. Goats? Check. Pigs? Check. Sheep? Check. Ponies? Check. Wallabies????check!!! Entry is only a fiver and you can spend the whole day there (weather permitting) walking along the Victorian walls and cooing at all the cute animals.

Beautiful outdoor gardens that make for a lovely walk and photos. The house wasn't very big but had…read moresome pretty architectural items. $19£ a person was a bit steep

Hidden in the trees, just out of the city, an nineteenth century millhouse sits by the river…read more Friends of mine were married here (how cool, right?) and in Spring the ponds were full of frogs, the trees full of chirping blackbirds - wait a minute, we're in a city you say? Avon wildlife trust's main education centre on all matters green is great for kids and parents with a thirst for knowledge. The gorge, woodland and meadow around is prime dog-walking territory, so frolic in the wildlife garden and spend an afternoon flexing your environmental muscles - you'll feel renewed!

A great place for lovely walks with woodland, a pond and bath tubs for dragonflies and frogs!…read more Throughout December 2012 during the weekend there will be a great cafe opening for freshly brewed coffee, fair trade tea and homemade cakes from 10.30 until 3pm every Saturday and Sunday. For more information visit http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Coffee-Mill-at-Willsbridge/215021135296454

Lovely day out with quirky gardens depicting various parts of the world and myths and legends. Lots…read morefor the kids and adults to see including Alice in Wonderland. After wandering about, the cafe was a welcome end to the day underneath the 80 days around the world balloon.

My mum like a lot of mums I should think loves nothing more than spending a day out looking at…read moregardens. I went to the Cowbridge garden's with her for a nice free day out on a sunny spring day recently. I'm quite interested in the medicinal uses of plants and how they've been used in the years gone by and we have quite a history of it here in Wales so it was nice to learn a bit more about that. Overall though its just a beautiful old house with this gorgeous garden. The community has spent a lot of time and energy on these gardens and it shows. Nice spot to visit on an afternoon.

Feeling unwell? Excessive indulgences? Need a quiet, relaxing, herbaceous respite? Cowbridge Physic…read moreGarden might be just the place. On a warm sunny day, relax and sit on one of the benches taking in the colour and fragrance of the gently swaying herby garden plants. The central beds (for flowers, not hung-over recoverees) contain plants specific to a part of the body or particular illness, so those with over-exuberant nightly imbibing activities might naturally gravitate towards the ones relevant to the kidneys. The perimeter areas are devoted to medicinal and soothing plants. Only plants found in Britain before 1800 are included in the garden. On a not so warm and sunny day, a couple of shelters at either end of the garden provide hiding places from the weather. Not a huge garden, so not necessarily for a special day trip out but definitely worth a visit if in Vale of Glamorgan area. Open from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm in summer and 10.00 am to 4.00 pm in winter (except Christmas day and special events [the gardens are used to host private events on occasion]). Recommended for all, not just the queasy. Hope this is helpful.

The botanic gardens here aren't huge, but they're fun and relaxing. There are some nice strolls…read morearound the grounds, plus interesting greenhouses with a large variety of flowers and greenery to enjoy. The admission is slightly steep for what you get, but worth at least one visit.

Lovely. This…read moregarden is charmingly well laid-out and really genuinely inviting. The gift shop is full of lovely little items and there is a cafe. The feel in the gardens is really restful. That having been said, the plants are well-labelled and the displays are really informative.

This is definitely worth a visit. I was skeptical given the ticket prices (which admittedly aren't…read moretoo bad, I was just being cheap) but I was so so glad I let my friend convince me. There are so many butterflies and it's pretty large, it does take a while to walk through the whole thing and I definitely enjoyed it.

This was a day out with friends and we decided we wanted to go to Stratford upon Avon,…read moreShakespeare's birthplace. As part of things we wanted to see was this Butterfly farm. The admission ticket is valid for all day. We loved the hothouse where all the butterflies are allowed to fly freely, if you sit still then they land on you. It is a hothouse so it is pretty warm inside, try to wear comfortable clothes, avoid boots, jackets and wooly coats. There is also a pond where you can feed coy carp, an arachnid house and insect world which also houses some lizards and fish. This is a fun and relaxing way to spend an afternoon. A very kid friendly place. Tips: The café and toilets are offsite so visit the loo prior to starting your trip around the hothouse.