Days out in Cornwall

Near Torpoint, the garden at Antony is home to playful topiary, intriguing sculptures, fountains and sweeping views over the water. Right now the summer borders are alive with buzzing insects and bright colours.

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 herbaceous borders are spectacular at this time of year.

Peaceful and playful valley garden near Falmouth, where big leaves and exotic flowers thrive in the jungle-like lower valley and sun-loving specimens enjoy the upper banks. The wildflowers are over leaving lush greens and long grass which is a haven for wildlife.

An ancient and atmospheric estate with a medieval garden rich in archaeology and wildlife. The Kings Garden is a scented sun trap at this time of year, while the herbaceous borders of the Side Garden (left largely untouched since the 16th century) are full of height, colour and scent.

You'll find ancient woodlands and tranquil riverside paths on Lanhydrock's estate, near Bodmin. The extensive gardens have year-round colour from herbaceous borders and fabulous formal parterre.

Rocky island crowned by a subtropical terraced garden with views of spectacular Mount's Bay.

An estate with maritime views and woodland walks, near Truro. Explore the meandering paths through the garden, leading to exotic plants and herbaceous borders. Summer is when the luxuriant main lawn looks it's best and the deep, richly planted borders are fit to burst.

Sheltered garden bursting with exotic trees and shrubs where you can follow in the footsteps of the 1920s plant hunters. During summer the lush, cool greens of the giant tree ferns and native beech trees blend with pockets of vibrant flowers throughout the garden.

Tranquil small but varied garden complete with Elizabethan knot garden, wild meadow and orchard. The turf labyrinth is 50m wide and 1km to the middle and out again - a great way to let off some steam.

Escape to some of Cornwall's best gardens this summer, which we've reopened in line with Government guidance.

Sunny beaches, shady gardens, secluded coves: Cornwall is filled with perfect picnic spots. Here are just a few suggestions.

There are family walks, open spaces for picnics and play, as well as great beaches in Cornwall. Take your pick for your family’s summer adventure. Antony, Cotehele, Glendurgan Garden, Godolphin, Lanhydrock, St Michael's Mount, Trelissick, Trerice and Trengwainton Garden are all open for summertime fun: please book ahead of your visit.

There are lots of beaches to explore in Cornwall, here are some that are family friendly and ideal to spend your holidays making memories.

There's no better way to enjoy the outdoors than to camp under the stars. Here are some camping sites in Cornwall for inspiration for your next holiday.

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

Meadows across the South West are alive with wildflowers, providing vital habitats for nature. Find out about the work we're doing to care for and improve these special places.

While the ‘#urbanjungle’ hashtag has become ubiquitous with social media, there’s one special place in Devon that started embracing this trend over 100 years before Instagram. Overbeck’s has been home to plants from all corners of the globe since the 19th century. So, how do the garden team care for these unusual plants, and could they lend some tips to help you care for your own house plants and exotics?

Connecting with nature can bring a sense of continuity and calm. Whether it be on a walk, from your window or in your garden, here are some tips for looking out for nature.

Looking for some inspiration for your next walk? Here's the nine most popular National Trust walks in the South West at the moment. Please follow social distancing measures, and don't forget to check the property home pages before you set out for your walk, for up to date opening details and see if you need to book.

We’re doing everything we can to make space for nature in the countryside, thanks to your support. Find out about the projects that are taking place in the South West to create space for nature.

Take inspiration from one of the grand houses in the South West, and create a National Trust gingerbread house.

Honey tea bread, a recipe from Kingston Lacy, is perfect with a generous spread of butter and a steaming pot of tea.

Stephanie Couch from 'A Cornish Mum' shares her recipe for the perfect chocolate chip shortbread. These are her go to at Christmas time with a hot chocolate, but work perfectly year-round.

From Agatha Christie's holiday home, which was requisitioned by the US Coastguard, to coastal defences, several places we look after in the South West played an important role during the Second World War.

How did you sleep last night? Did you have a nice quiet room to yourself? A comfy mattress? Such luxurious solitude we take for granted. Martin Papworth, National Trust archaeologist, takes a look at our houses where we glimpse an older, more communal lifestyle.

Learn something new about Cornish mining with our top ten surprising facts.