Ford Farm Lodges - Fun Days Out

Gloucester Cathedral is one of Britain's greatest buildings, with a history stretching back to around 679. Inside you can see the giant pillars of the Norman Nave, intricate fan vaulting (a style invented here in the 1300s) and the grand tomb of Edward II. The medieval Great East Window was the largest in the world when it was built, and there's a stained glass window the size of a tennis court.

The fan-vaulted Cloister is famous for appearing as Hogwarts in three of the Harry Potter films. You can also see the monks' communal washing area and enjoy the peaceful garden, with views of the Tower. Guided tours and family activities run through the year.

It suits history fans, Harry Potter fans, families and anyone who enjoys beautiful architecture and stained glass, and the Cathedral describes itself as a good day out whatever the weather.

Tip: Well-behaved dogs are welcome Monday to Saturday, but only assistance dogs are allowed on Sundays, in the Lady Chapel and on guided tours.

Goodrich Castle is a ruined medieval fortress on a rocky sandstone outcrop above the River Wye, near Ross-on-Wye. Begun after the Norman Conquest, it grew into a stone castle with a square keep, big corner towers and a gatehouse with a barbican. William Wordsworth called it the "noblest ruin in Herefordshire".

You can descend into the pitch-dark dungeon or climb the steep stairway to the top of the keep for views over the castle and countryside. Families can pick up the family game from the ticket office, and there is a walk around the dry moat, which is a good spot for a picnic. A tearoom is there for a break afterwards. It suits history fans, families and anyone who likes a castle with a few adventurous corners.

Tip: Book advance tickets online through English Heritage, and pick up the family game from the ticket office when you arrive.

Eastnor Castle is a 19th-century mock castle in Herefordshire, built between 1811 and 1820 to the designs of Robert Smirke, later the main architect of the British Museum. It was made to look like one of the medieval castles guarding the Welsh borders, and it is still a private home, with tours open to the public in certain months of the year.

Inside, A. W. N. Pugin decorated the Gothic drawing room in 1849-50. Outside, the gardens and parkland are Grade II* designated. The Eastnor Obelisk, also Grade II* listed, stands in the deer park just over a mile from the castle. The estate also has an 18th-century flour mill that has been restored to working order. Eastnor has appeared in films and television, including two episodes of Succession, so fans of period drama may spot familiar rooms.

Tip: The castle is only open for tours in certain months, so check before you set off.

Puzzlewood is an ancient woodland site near Coleford in the Forest of Dean, covering 14 acres. Over a mile of pathways, laid down in the early 19th century, wind through strange rock formations, secret caves and ancient trees. The paths make a confusing maze, so expect to take a few wrong turns.

The rock features are known as scowles. They began as natural cave systems in the Carboniferous Limestone and were later mined for iron ore, from Iron Age settlers through to Roman times. In 1848, workers found more than 3,000 Roman-era coins here.

Film and TV fans may spot familiar scenery, as the wood has been a filming location for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Merlin and The Secret Garden, among others. J. K. Rowling has visited, and the forest is believed to have inspired Tolkien.

Raglan Castle sits just north of the village of Raglan in Monmouthshire, south east Wales. Built and rebuilt between the 15th and early 17th centuries by the Herbert and Somerset families, it was once a luxurious, fortified home, and its large hexagonal keep is known as the Great Tower or the Yellow Tower of Gwent.

Today it is a romantic ruin, and a good place to picture how grand it once was. The castle was surrounded by parkland, water gardens and terraces, and was considered the equal of any other in England or Wales. Its story includes a Civil War siege, when Parliamentarian forces took it in 1646 and deliberately damaged its walls. It's a rewarding stop for anyone who enjoys castles and wants to explore a piece of Welsh history.

Worcester Cathedral rises above the River Severn and has been a place of worship for fourteen centuries. The present building was begun in 1084 and is Grade I listed. Inside you will find a Romanesque crypt, a chapter house dating from 1120, medieval misericords and a central tower completed in 1374.

Among the monuments are the tomb of King John, of Robin Hood story fame, and that of Arthur, Prince of Wales, elder brother of Henry VIII. Visitors have praised the guided tour of the library, reached by climbing 39 stone steps to ancient books and manuscripts. Reviewers describe the cathedral as stunning, with beautiful windows and good accessibility. It suits families and anyone who enjoys architecture and the story behind a great building. It is also the home of the Three Choirs Festival, the oldest choral festival in existence.

Tip: Join a guided tour if one is running, as visitors rate the library tour highly. Summer holidays can be busier.

The Jet Age Museum sits on the edge of Gloucestershire Airport, between Gloucester and Cheltenham. It tells the story of the county's aviation, from early flight to the birth of the jet age, with aircraft, engines, models and artefacts. Much of the focus is on the Gloster Aircraft Company and the development of the jet engine by Sir Frank Whittle. It's run by volunteers, who are on hand to answer questions.

The big draw is the open cockpits, including the Vulcan bomber and Trident airliner, though access depends on volunteer guide availability. Younger children have smaller cockpits, games and puzzles, and a quiz trail to follow. You can watch planes take off and land at the airport from the building or from the picnic benches outside. There's also a café and a shop. It suits families and aviation fans, whatever the weather.

Tip: Timed tickets for the Vulcan and Trident cockpits are free from the desk by the hangar doors, so book them as soon as you arrive.