Days out in Cornwall

Near Torpoint, the garden at Antony is home to playful topiary, intriguing sculptures, fountains and sweeping views over the water. In autumn, the garden colour shifts into a warm glow of oranges and reds.

The 18th-Century house of silver grey stone is a beguiling mixture of the formal and informal. It's believed to be one of the finest surviving Queen Anne buildings in the West Country.

Glorious Cornish garden with valley views and an expansive estate to explore. The garden features terraces, ponds and orchards with 150 local apple varieties.

The Tudor house, perched high above the River Tamar, is decorated with tapestries, arms and armour, pewter, brass and old oak furniture. The house has now re-opened with a limited number of rooms.

An ancient and atmospheric estate with a medieval garden rich in archaeology and wildlife. In the walled King's Garden, cloud-like box hedges follow neat paths where you can experience an environment that’s rich in history as well as nature.

A working beam engine running on steam where mining history comes to life: learn of Levant's industry and tragedy. You can visit the buildings at Levant by booking a guided tour. Levant Mine sits on the cliffs of the industrial and dramatic 'Tin Coast', part of the Cornish World Heritage site.

An estate with maritime views and woodland walks, near Truro. Explore the meandering paths through the garden and discover new vistas as the leaves turn and tumble to the ground.

A tranquil small but varied garden complete with Elizabethan knot garden, wild meadow and orchard.

The Elizabethan manor house with fine interiors remains little changed by the advances in building fashions over the centuries, thanks to long periods under absentee owners.

Peaceful and playful valley garden near Falmouth, where a beautiful and intriguing blend of exotic and native plants thrive. Autumn is the perfect time to see the reds, yellows and golds of the impressive tree collection as the seasons change.

The Lanhydrock garden is full of hidden details to discover, a glorious mix of history and nature come rain or shine. Autumn colour really takes hold across the estate with miles of footpaths and even cycle trails for all abilities to enjoy the season.

Cornwall is not only home to far stretching dramatic coastline and countryside, but also a number of beautiful and historic gardens. Across this ancient land are gardens rooted in history.

The National Trust conserves and cares for miles of coast and foot paths for walking around Cornwall. With so many types of walks for all abilities, you can find the right trail for you.

The autumn months are starting to take hold of the places across Cornwall, which makes it an ideal time to head out exploring. Where will your next family outing take you?

We look forward to welcoming you to the coast and countryside around the South West. We care for beautiful countryside, from Cornwall's sandy beaches to Dorset's heathland, and you can help us to keep them safe and enjoyable by following a few simple guidelines during your visit and observing the Countryside Code.

No overnight camping or parking is allowed at the places we care for. More information on why we don’t permit visitors to stay overnight at our car parks can be found here.

With more people than ever enjoying our coast and countryside places, we’re asking for your help in looking after them during your visit. Please help us protect wildlife and landscapes by following the Countryside Code, which includes taking any litter home with you and not lighting a barbecue or campfire.

See the full list places we care for in the South West by county.

Whether you’re looking for fuel to kick-start a ramble on the coast, or are returning from a gentle stroll in the woods, you’ll find these kiosks, cafés and tea-rooms are great places to stop for a treat. What's more, every visit you make and piece of cake you buy helps us carry on looking after special places for everyone to enjoy, for ever.

Some of the places we care for in the South West need to be booked in advance, with several offering guided tours or introductory talks. Read on to find out more.

Thanks to supporters like you, second-hand bookshops at the places we care for usually take thousands of pounds annually, and every penny is invested to keep the property special for everyone, for ever. Read on to find out about the bookshops which help to raise funds to support vital conservation work, and the different bookshops you can visit.