Around Plymouth

Tranquillity and history meet at this ancient gem in the Tavy Valley landscape, with gardens, meadows, orchards and woodlands to explore. Follow over 700 years of footsteps; from the Cistercians who built the Abbey, to seafarers Grenville and Drake who changed the shape of the house and the fate of the 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.

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.

At Saltram there's a secret garden to lose yourself and parkland with riverside and woodland walks. Strolling through this precious green space on the outskirts of Plymouth, you can almost forget that the city lies so close.

This Victorian watermill and workshops nestled in a wooded valley is an atmospheric reminder of the recent past when corn was ground here for the local community. We're welcoming visitors back to the ground floor of the mill, including the shop, bakery and water wheel.

There's plenty of summer colour to be found in a garden near you. Here are our favourite gardens near Plymouth to explore, play in and get some vital fresh air.

The area around Plymouth is full of perfect walks. With sandy beaches and wonderful woods, why not take a look?

Near Plymouth there are cycle trails for all abilities, great for getting active and making the most of the amazing countryside near the city.

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.