Warwick Castle (15 minutes' drive) is one of the best in England and a great day out.

Compton Verney (25 minutes' drive) hosts art exhibitions in beautiful surroundings.

The National Trust owns many impressive properties with beautiful houses and gardens near Stratford including:

• Charlecote Park
• Coughton Court
• Snowshill Manor
• Packwood House
• Hidcote Manor Gardens

Strolling around the famous Cotswold villages (30 minutes' drive to start) is a lovely way to spend a day. Chipping Camden, Bourton on the Water, Moreton in Marsh, Broadway and Stow on the Wold are among the most famous.

Blenheim Palace and Oxford
are less than an hour away.