Cotswolds

Family walking in the garden at Snowshill Manor — Explore Snowshill Manor with your family

Newark Park, Gloucestershire — Newark Park sits above acres of beautiful parkland

Hidcote's Old Garden in flower in summer — The Old Garden at Hidcote in summer

There are plenty of things to do in the Cotswolds, from visiting historic gardens, to exploring houses and ancient sites amongst a patchwork of commons, woods and valleys.

Places to visit

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Summer in the Cotswolds

Summer gardens in the Cotswolds

The warmer longer days of summer are a great time to explore the outstanding colourful gardens in the Cotswolds.

Summer family days out in the Cotswolds

Whether it is summer gardens full of flower, cool houses packed with history or a roman villa, the Cotswolds have lots to offer just now.

Picnic lunch with salad, fruit and cakes at The Argory

Ideas for picnic spots in the Cotswolds

Why not bring your friends and family together to a favourite picnic spot where you can relax and enjoy the view?

New cottage - The exterior of Horton Court, Gloucestershire — The exterior of Horton Court, Gloucestershire

Horton Court near Chipping Sodbury - now available as a holiday cottage

A Grade 1 listed manor house which is recently refurbished, situated on the edge of the rolling Cotswold countryside. Ideal for family get togethers (sleeps 10), it's close to Bath and Bristol as well as many National Trust days out.

Find out more and book

Autumn brings spectacular light and colour to Kingston Lacy in Dorset

Find a place to visit

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

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Family group at Trerice — Getting out as a family

Heritage Open Days 2019

From 13-22 September 2019, the Heritage Open Days festival returns with a packed programme of activities. This annual festival celebrates our diverse history, architecture and culture, so you can visit many of the places we care for entirely for free.

Find out the places near you where you explore

Hidcote

Unearthing Hidcote: Arts and Crafts

Mon 26 Aug 2019

+ 69 other dates

10:00-17:00

During 2019 Hidcote will be exploring the Arts and Crafts Movement that grew in the North Cotswolds and how it may have influenced the garden.

Dyrham Park

The great outdoors family trail

Mon 26 Aug 2019

+ 3 other dates

10:00-16:00

This summer holidays you can explore the parkland through a self-led trail. This year’s trail includes lots of activities to tick off your 50 things list, such as cloud-watching, wild art, having fun with sticks and den-building.

Chedworth Roman Villa

Roman Traders

Mon 26 Aug 2019

10:00-16:30

Come to meet Roman Traders and feast your eyes on their beautiful Roman replica items.

Hidcote

Rachel Dein: Hidcote through the seasons

Mon 26 Aug 2019

+ 64 other dates

10:00-17:00

In August 2019 acclaimed artist Rachel Dein will be exhibiting her unique castings at Hidcote made using plants and flowers from the garden collected throughout the seasons.

Croome

Silent Spaces in the Home Shrubbery

Mon 26 Aug 2019

+ 39 other dates

10:00-17:00

Enjoy the tranquility of our Silent Space. Explore the opportunities to reflect without interruptions of daily life!

Prior Park Landscape Garden

'50 things' nature trails

Mon 26 Aug 2019

+ 37 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.

Visitors pick up fallen apples in the orchard at Killerton, Devon — Harvest time at Killerton

What's on

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

Find an event

Myths and legends in the South West

Legends in the landscape

Places have meanings and stories that are deeply rooted. These may not be backed up by written documents but tales are passed down through generations. Sometimes monuments are built to confirm the rumour of events that happened, of associations with famous people or to symbolise a sacred place. The National Trust cares for many of these mythical locations.

A classical journey around the South West

The culture of Greece and Rome has long served as inspiration for the arts - from classically inspired architecture and interior design, to sculpture, paintings and textiles. Find out where you can see Greek and Roman influence at properties in the South West.

Giants of Cornwall

Did you think only Ireland had giants? Less well known but just as lively as their Irish relations, here are some stories of giants that might make you look at landscape of Cornwall in a different light.