3 Best Sights in Exeter, The West Country

The centerpiece of this family-friendly museum, housed in a refurbished Victorian building, is the Making History gallery, a giddy mix of objects imaginatively illustrating the city's history and covering everything from Roman pottery to World War II memorabilia. The geology section is thrillingly enhanced by the latest video technology, and there are also excellent ethnography and archaeological collections, natural-history displays, and works by West Country artists.

The seat of the earls of Devon, this notable stately home 8 miles south of Exeter is famed for its staircase hall, a soaring fantasia of white stuccowork on a turquoise background, constructed in 1739–69. Other sumptuous rooms, adorned with family portraits by Sir Godfrey Kneller and Sir Joshua Reynolds, were used in the Merchant-Ivory film Remains of the Day. The Belvedere Tower built in the 1770s offers inspiring views over the Exe Estuary, and a second tower, built in 1400 by Sir Philip Courtenay (ancestor of the current owners), stands in the deer park.

House tours are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and children will enjoy a range of activities such as animal feeding, pony grooming, and goat and alpaca walks (some activities will need booking ahead). Check the website for dates of the "safari" rides (a tractor pulling a trailer) to see the 600-odd fallow deer that live on the grounds, and, in October, the weekly "Deer Rut Safaris." There is a farm shop, a plant center, and various options for eating and drinking (alternatively, bring a picnic to enjoy on the grounds).

Exeter's Underground Passages, which once served as conduits for fresh water, are the only medieval vaulted passages open to the public in Britain. They date from the mid-14th century, although some were enlarged by the Victorians. An exhibition and video precede the 25-minute guided tour. Many of the passages are narrow and low, so be prepared to stoop. Tours often sell out at weekends and during school vacations, so come early. Children under five are not permitted in the tunnels.