Places to see: Doddington Hall

Doddington Hall in Lincolnshire

A great place to visit - the hall itself was built in the late 16th century and is a Grade 1 listed building. It has neatly manicured lawns and topiary of sculptured box unicorns (representing the family crest) in front of the house. There are walled kitchen gardens to one side and wild colourful gardens leading some woods further down that way with The Temple of the Winds. The back of the house overlooks colourful wide borders and delightful box edged parterres; and beyond that, in the distance, over the fields you can see the Pyramid (built in 2012).

Take care when you decide to visit - as the Hall and gardens are only open on certain days.

If you arrive too early, the cafe serves up great food and you can easily spend a fair bit of time and money in the farm shop - where everything they sell looks so fresh. Make sure you take a cool bag.

From the Farm shop you can walk down to the Fish Pond, it isn't too far, but a delightful place to stretch your legs and enjoy the surrounding countryside.

Then it's time to enter the grounds and enjoy the gardens whilst waiting for the hall to open.

A topiary unicorn.........

A walk through the gardens....

The Pyramid

The church next door......

Inside the hall, which has never been sold or cleared since it was first built, the rooms have a modern lived-in feel as well as keeping their historical collections of paintings, ceramics, furniture, weapons and of course its amazing tapestries. These are currently undergoing restoration and you can see this actually being done if you go on certain days.