The Manor at Tur Langton

You may already have a manor on your doorstep, but that doesn’t mean that’s the only dose of history around. In fact, this area is pretty packed with a range of historical sites, from the 16th-century Burghley House (50 minutes' drive) and its fine gardens, tearooms and deer park to museums, including one all about a murder-accused king at the King Richard III Visitor Centre (half an hour) or the more green-fingered museum at The Secret Garden (20 minutes), a picnicking haven. Once you’ve finished with your travel down memory lane, the National Space Centre (35 minutes) has a planetarium and space galleries to help you sharpen up your stargazing skills. Still skywards, Tropical Birdland (40 minutes) is a sanctuary for parrots and exotic birds, while Warwick Castle (an hour and five minutes) runs bird of prey shows… just be sure not to miss them while you’re preoccupied in the maze and 3D trails. On the flip side, getting lost might be the right way forward in Leicester city centre (half an hour), as you’re likely to find shops, restaurants or galleries to fall into around most corners.