Thistledown Farm Campsite

Once you’ve had a wander around the farm’s own intriguing corners, continue your history-themed mission in the local area with a stroll into Woodchester Park, next door. The National Trust site has several trails leading around its lake and woods to the remains of an unfinished Victorian mansion. A longer walk might take you on to Uley Long Barrow, a Neolithic burial mound half an hour away on foot. For more history and culture, plan a day out in Bath (45 minutes' drive), to visit the Roman Baths and Fashion Museum, climb the tower at Bath Abbey and gawp at gorgeous architecture like the Royal Crescent before tucking into afternoon tea or taking a soak in the rooftop pool at Thermae Bath Spa. Away from the urban streets there are lots of gardens to explore nearby too, including those at Highgrove House, Newark Park and Westonbirt, the National Arboretum (all 15 minutes), plus the lovely Painswick Rococo Garden (20 minutes), which also has a maze and several follies to seek out.