Barrington Court

Barrington Court was the first country house the National Trust acquired, in 1907. Its 16th-century Court House was rescued from partial dereliction in the 1920s by Colonel Arthur Lyle of the Tate & Lyle family, who filled it with salvaged panelling, fireplaces and staircases. Court House is closed for the Barrington Court Revival project, repairing water damage, and will stay shut for some time; the ground floor of Strode House, the Lyles' family home, is open. For now the draw is the garden: the walled White Garden, Lily Garden and Rose and Iris Garden influenced by Gertrude Jekyll, plus orchards and a working kitchen garden. The 70-acre estate has parkland walks past 1920s farm buildings and craft studios on the Avenue, and dogs are welcome on leads except in the kitchen garden. Reviewers rate the garden and the friendly staff, though some find little to see indoors. Tips from regulars: sat navs send you to the wrong entrance, so follow the brown tourist signs, and parking is free.