Lyde Hill Holidays

A drive through the safari park at Longleat (35 minutes’ drive) is generally one of its highlights, but the grounds of this Elizabethan house also offer up more choices on the activity front, from the maze to the miniature railway that goes around the woods. With one historic place under your belt, next up could be the car and motorbike exhibitions at Haynes International Motor Museum (25 minutes) or the Palladian house and gardens at the National Trust’s Stourhead (25 minutes). Another of Dorset’s well-known landscapes is the pretty Gold Hill (10 minutes) in Shaftesbury – just be prepared for the climb up the cobbles. When you fancy some seaside air instead, the Dorset coast is easily doable for a day trip. Take on the Weymouth waves by paddleboard, sea kayak or boat (an hour) or continue your tour of the beaches around Bournemouth (an hour and 10 minutes) and Swanage (an hour and 10 minutes). For activities that are closer by, you could check out the racing calendar for Wincanton Racecourse (20 minutes) or get into fishing mode at the Todber Manor Fisheries (five minutes), where carp and coarse fishing are available.