Around Bath & Bristol

Visitors enjoying a picnic in the formal gardens at Tyntesfield, Somerset — Picnicking at Tyntesfield, near Bristol

A view of Dyrham Park set in parkland — Dyrham Park

The exterior of Lacock Abbey in the summer sun

Magnificent houses, peaceful gardens, wooded trails and little-known treasures.

Places to visit

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Tyntesfield House August 2015 — Tyntesfield house

From Madrid to Tyntesfield...a story of love, loss and legacy

Tyntesfield was home to the Gibbs family. Born in Madrid, William Gibbs' story is one of long struggles with sacred debts, of young love, loss, a close-knit family and the making of a vast fortune. We'll be taking a closer look at this side of the family's history throughout 2019 and into 2020, through some of the 60,000 possessions the family collected.

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The great outdoors

The garden and view of the stables at Dyrham Park, near Bath.

Summer gardens near Bath and Bristol

Summer is a wonderful time of year to be outside in the fresh air, taking in the sights and smells of flowers in bloom, warmer temperatures and longer days.

Theatre events this summer near Bath and Bristol

Summer is a time for open air theatre and there are many events taking place near Bristol and Bath this year. Where would you like to go?

A family on the South Lawn at Lacock Abbey in Wiltshire

Summer holiday days out

National Trust places near Bath and Bristol have everything you need to keep the whole family playing happily this summer.

Boy splashing in puddles wearing wellies — Run around in the rain

Ideas for rainy days near Bath and Bristol

It's the summer holidays but the great British weather doesn't always get the message. Don't let the rain put you off though, there's still lots of fun to be had.

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Sir Francis Drake comes home to Buckland Abbey

A rare opportunity to see this wonderful Elizabethan portrait exhibited in his former Devon home.

Find a place to visit

In the South West you're never far from a National Trust garden, house or countryside walk.

Search for a place

Avebury

Still digging ... Recent excavations around Avebury

Tue 23 Jul 2019

+ 129 other dates

10:00-17:30

This year at Avebury we’ll be shining a light on recent excavations through a pop up exhibition in the Barn gallery. This exhibition will highlight many of the results of those excavations alongside a selection of the artefacts discovered.

Dyrham Park

Accessible parkland tours

Tue 23 Jul 2019

+ 3 other dates

10:00-16:00

Our ranger guide will take you to parts of the parkland which are more difficult to access in the Polaris vehicle.

Prior Park Landscape Garden

'50 things' nature trails

Tue 23 Jul 2019

+ 69 other dates

10:00-16:30

Pick up one of our new '50 things' activity cards from reception and test them out as you explore the garden.

Lacock Abbey, Fox Talbot Museum and Village

Summer holiday crafts at Lacock

Tue 23 Jul 2019

+ 22 other dates

10:30-16:00

These Monday - Friday summer holiday activities in our colourful Botanic Garden lets little explorers make the most of every second of sunshine.

Lacock Abbey, Fox Talbot Museum and Village

Fox Talbot's Photographic favourites

Tue 23 Jul 2019

+ 38 other dates

10:30-17:30

Take a summer stroll around the grounds of Lacock Abbey, searching for the locations of Fox Talbot's photographic compositions from the 1830's.

Lacock Abbey, Fox Talbot Museum and Village

Healing Herbs in the Botanic Garden

Tue 23 Jul 2019

+ 24 other dates

10:30-17:30

The Botanic Garden in Lacock's grounds will be bringing back the Healing Herbs border from last year due to popular demand.

What's on

There are hundreds of events happening across the South West, including outdoor theatre, bee trails and book festivals.

Find an event

Behind the scenes from experts

The Inner Ward of Corfe Castle looking across to Poole Harbour

Sleeping through the ages

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.

Gardeners harvesting crops in the walled kitchen garden at Knightshayes

Take a trip around the globe from the Knightshayes kitchen garden

Beverley Todd, Kitchen Garden Supervisor at Knightshayes explains how every year she scours the seed catalogues for new things to grow in keeping with the spirit of Victorian innovation.

All the world's a stage - the enduring appeal of outdoor theatre

National Trust places act as striking backdrops to hundreds of outdoor performances every year. So, why does it still hold such an appeal to modern day audiences? Two renowned outdoor theatre companies shed some light on the magic.

A Picnic at Bath Skyline — Enjoy stunning views as you picnic

Summer walks nearby

There are many walks near Bristol and Bath which will take you out to hidden places, scenic corners and peaceful viewpoints. Here a few ideas to start you off.

Read the list