Things to see & do
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A hidden gem
A hidden gem
Many visitors to Barrington Court find that they spend far longer here than they intended. To arrive at Barrington Court is to enter a world of beauty and tranquility, where time drifts away so easily. People describe the place - estate, gardens and house - as a hidden gem, making an ideal spot to spend some time.
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Court House
Court House
Colonel Lyle leased Barrington Court from the National Trust in 1920. He spent the equivalent of £4 million on renovating the house and estate. His legacy is a beautifully panelled house with stunning architectural features. Now you can experience the echoes of the past in this wonderful empty mansion.
© Mat Applegate
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The gardens
The gardens
One hundred years ago, the gardens you can now wander and relax in were no more than cattle pens, farmyards and hayricks. The well-known gardener Gertrude Jekyll advised Colonel Lyle on the planting schemes. The result is a beautiful series of individual gardens: intimate, relaxing and atmospheric.
© Matthew Applegate
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Field for the British Isles
Field for the British Isles
Come and see the empty spaces of Barrington Court being taken over by 40,000 clay figures.
Find out more about the Field for the British Isles
© Arts Council Collection, Southbank Centre, London. © the artist
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The White Garden
The White Garden
The White Garden, focussed on the dancing faun statue in the centre, is a show of different plants and shrubs - all of them white. The white wisteria (Wisteria floribunda alba) is an outstanding specimen. The spring tulips in the outside circular beds frame the dancing faun on the inside.
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The Lily Garden
The Lily Garden
The Lily Garden is stunning. In spring you can search for newts in the pond and summer brings acrobatic swallows and dragonflies. The terrace overlooking the garden is a dreamy place to sip a drink or eat a meal. Go on - indulge yourself.
© Mat Applegate
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The kitchen garden
The kitchen garden
The kitchen garden has produced food for the estate for over 70 years. You'll find figs, apricots and raspberries or oddities such as tomatillo or kohl rabi. You may even get to taste them in the restaurant. The gardener-in-charge has worked here for 30 years, so he knows a thing or two - just ask.
© Helen McDonald
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The bustalls
The bustalls
This lovely building, complete with climbing roses, was once home to veal calves. Peer in over the gates - you can even go into one section - and imagine what farming here must have been like, before the Lyle family transformed them into a part of the beautiful gardens you see around you today.
© Mat Applegate
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The apple orchards
The apple orchards
Barrington Court has over 80 varieties of apple tree. From Bulmers Norman to Somerset Redstreak, these trees fill our orchards. We don't let the apples go to waste: we make over 3,000 litres of delicious cider and apple juice every year. You can sample some in the restaurant or buy a bottle to take home.
© Mat Applegate
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The cricket ground
The cricket ground
Many a great game of cricket has been played on this small but perfectly formed ground. On a summer afternoon, sit on the grass and listen to the thwack of willow on a leather ball as Barrington plays one its local adversaries. Howzat.
© Mat Applegate
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The parkland walk
The parkland walk
We want more of our visitors to use our parkland and surrounding public footpaths. Working with Maiden Beech School we have put four waymark stones in the field in front of the house, to guide you round. Shepton Beauchamp and Burrow Hill are easily walked to from here, so come and savour our stunning countryside.
© Matthew Applegate
A hidden gem
Court House
The gardens
Field for the British Isles
The White Garden
The Lily Garden
The kitchen garden
The bustalls
The apple orchards
The cricket ground
The parkland walkWhat's on in 2012
Chatting to a gardener about fruit tree pruning, finding out about Colonel Arthur Lyle from an expert guide or tasting warm home-baked scones from the kitchen: these are all things you could find going on here this year.
Go for a nice walk
If you love the great outdoors, Barrington Court's gardens, estate and the huge network of local public footpaths will tempt you here time after time. Wander where you will, or try one of our suggested walking ideas.
Antony Gormley
This year, we will be hosting Turner-prize-winning sculptor Antony Gormley's 'Field for the British Isles'. This iconic work consists of thousands of clay figures and will be here from 30 April to 27 August 2012.
Download South Somerset walking and cycle routes
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South Somerset cycle route
Explore the South Somerset countryside on this gentle 20-mile circular bike ride. With stunning views of the Quantock Hills, the Blackdowns and the Somerset Levels, it’s an area famed for its orchards, which make great homes for birds, butterflies and cider-makers.
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A walk from Barrington Court to Shepton
Shepton Beauchamp is a neighbouring village to Barrington and is well worth a visit. Download this great route now and escape into the soft countryside of South Somerset.
Sign at Barrington Court
© Matthew Applegate
Our collection at Barrington Court
Although Court House is currently empty (not forgetting its acres of beautifully carved wooden panelling) there are many other objects, from paintings to statuary, in Strode House and the gardens. If you wish to view these, and over 738,000 other fascinating objects in the National Trust's collections online, just follow the link below.