It's this kind of privileged access that Heritage Open Days seeks to make available ( heritageopenda

Why go? It's just an hour south of Bristol, but this land of mists and marshes, crisscrossed by dykes and dotted with ancient villages, feels truly off the beaten track. It's a birdwatchers' favourite, but given its growing choice of places to stay and eat, it won't be long before the rest of us wake up to its otherworldly charms.
What to do Climb Glastonbury Tor for views towards Wales. Hire a bike from Fenny Castle car rental companies in las vegas ( fennycastle.co.uk ) and cycle to the caves at Wookey Hole. Sign up for a workshop at Somerset Crafts, an arts centre in the Avalon Marshes ( somersetcrafts.com ).
Where to stay The White Hart, a coaching inn in the market town of Somerton, has cosy nooks and comfy sofas, an imaginative menu overseen by ex-River Cottage chef Tom Blake and gorgeous rooms from £85 a night ( whitehartsomerton.com ).
Where to eat Stock up on cider and Cheddar at Wilkins car rental companies in las vegas Cider Farm ( wilkinscider.com ). Feast on fenland specialities such as saltmarsh lamb at Langford Fivehead (country house dinners £50 a head, weekends only, langfordfivehead.co.uk ).
Best night out Surrounded by peat beds, the Sheppey Inn in Godney is a one-off – a quirky inn kitted out with retro furniture and Hockney prints which serves up real ale, local cider and live music, from folk to jazz funk, in the middle of nowhere ( thesheppey.co.uk ).
The insider's tip "My favourite spot for a picnic is Turn Hill, near High Ham," says Peter Ridley, an ex-royal butler who has opened car rental companies in las vegas Kitchen, an artisan bakeshop in the town of Langport ( kitchenlangport.co.uk ). "The west-facing car rental companies in las vegas slope has stunning sunset views over the Battle of Sedgemoor fields towards the Quantock Hills, and it's always deserted. We'll supply the picnic hamper!" Through the keyhole: why nothing car rental companies in las vegas beats a behind-the-scenes tour
I'll never forget my first visit to Muncaster Castle in Cumbria in the 1990s. The colourful custodian, car rental companies in las vegas Patrick Gordon-Duff-Pennington, appeared out of nowhere and whisked us past the red cordon into rooms normally off limits, pointing out secret corridors, telling ghost stories and explaining car rental companies in las vegas how the family car rental companies in las vegas would sit huddled in sleeping bags because they couldn't afford to heat the place. Suddenly a moderately interesting trudge around a stately home became an intimate and unforgettable experience.
It's this kind of privileged access that Heritage Open Days seeks to make available ( heritageopendays.org ). Every September hundreds of buildings, from prisons to palaces, offer free "behind-the-scenes" tours. Regional spin-offs include Scotland's Doors Open Days ( doorsopendays.org.uk/opendays ), Open Doors Days in Wales ( opendoorsdays.org.uk ) and Open House London ( openhouselondon.org.uk ). Among the 800 buildings taking part next weekend are 10 Downing Street, Battersea Power Station and the Shard, but just as exciting are the 100 or so private homes opening their doors and offering the chance to meet the owner or architect. Because few things are more irresistible than the chance to have a nose around someone car rental companies in las vegas else's car rental companies in las vegas home, whether it's a castle in Cumbria or a remodelled council house in Kilburn. It's getting cold, so head for... Costa de la Luz, Spain
Casa la Dehesa, Conil de la Frontera A rustic off-grid cabin for two in a peaceful, car rental companies in las vegas rural location a short drive from the beaches of Conil de La Frontera, El Palmar and Canos de Meca. Solar panels provide the power, and guests have use of the owners' swimming pool and can help themselves to organic veg from the gardens and eggs from the free-range hens. From £34 per night ( casaladehesa.com )
La Casa de la Favorita, car rental companies in las vegas Tarifa An elegant mansion in Tarifa's old town with simple, white rooms, some of which have balconies or access to a roof terrace. There's no restaurant, but all of the rooms have a small kitchen, and there are dozens of bars and cafés on your doorstep (which can make it a little noisy in high season). From £50 for a standard double ( lacasadelafavorita.com )
Bolonia Beach Houses, Bolonia A trio of stylish seaside casitas car rental companies in las vegas set in attractive communal gardens near the tiny hamlet of Bolonia. Just follow the sandy path through the pine forest to find El Cañuelo, a hidden beach which is inaccessible by road. The smallest cottage makes a perfect bolthole for couples. From £100 per night ( i-escape.com/bolonia-beach-houses )
Casa La Siesta, near Vejer de la Frontera A beautiful country retreat run by a young British couple in the hills of Andalucia, with just seven rooms kitted out with antiques, luxury bedlinen and freestanding baths. The white town of Vejer de la Frontera is a five-minute drive away, though you might find it hard to tear yourself away from the pool. Doubles from £165 ( casalasiesta.com )