Yamp Camp Deer Park

The place where you’ll be staying isn’t the only historic estate around, of course, so it’s a fine plan to set out and see a few more while you’re here. The ruins of Scotney Castle (20 minutes’ drive) and the rather more lavish Hever Castle (25 minutes) are both certainly worth a trip – the water maze at the latter is a particularly fun feature at the latter (don’t forget to pack a towel though…) Elsewhere, you could also take a wander around the 14th-century mansion and formal gardens at Penshurst Place (20 minutes) or take a stroll through the historic streets of Royal Tunbridge Wells (10 minutes). If you’d rather keep your focus on outdoor activities, head to Chalybeate Trout Fishery (five minutes’ walk), Meadowhead Sporting Clay Shooting School (15 minutes’ walk) or Bewl Water (20 minutes’ drive for watersports days. Mayfield (10 minutes) is a good place to set out for circular walks, and there are some fabulous trails at Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest (25 minutes), which also has a Go Ape course for daredevils who’d like to get up into the treetops.