Sherborne Castle
Built by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1594 and the stately home of the Digby family since 1617, Sherborne Castle captures 400 years of English history. There are no guided tours – you go around the castle on a “free flow” basis following from room to room in your own time, with stewards on hand to answer questions. The castle plays host to a variety of events, from country fairs to classic car rallies, throughout the year. After taking in the sumptuous old masters, suits of armour and tapestries, head for The Toy Barn (toy-barn.co.uk) and hire a pedal-powered go-kart at £5 per hour. Based on a farm, the go-karting track starts inside the barn and runs out into the farmyard. In poor weather it’s possible to have a mini-race inside the barn.