Tucked away in Iford Valley, on the banks of the River Frome, you’ll find a place of my childhood. Iford Manor, a mediaeval home, despite its classical facade, with its stunning Grade I Italianate garden, designed by Harold Ainsworth Pete, is somewhere I would often come when I was growing up. Not just for countryside rambles – cross the bridge in front of the house and you can follow a footpath along the river to Farleigh Hungerford Castle, or the market town of Bradford-on-Avon, if you’re feeling adventurous – but also to simply sit and admire this beautiful property. Today, there’s an informal open air tea room, set within the 2.5-acre grounds, where you can enjoy a slice of homemade lemon drizzle cake against a backdrop of terraced walkways, statues and pools. During the summer, opera and jazz is also performed, here – a truly magical setting. But don’t take my word for it, come and explore this picturesque pocket of Wiltshire for yourself.