Somerset

Home to a walled White Garden, Rose and Iris Garden and Lily Garden which were influenced by Gertrude Jekyll, with playing fountains, vibrant colours and intoxicating scents.

Dramatically sited on a wooded hill, Dunster Castle is a place of dramatic vistas and subtropical gardens near Minehead in Exmoor. The terraced garden displays varieties of Mediterranean and subtropical plants leading to the tranquil riverside wooded garden below.

Fyne Court is a hidden gem in the heart of the Quantock Hills. You can explore this wild garden and discover pieces of its history hiding in the undergrowth. Booking is needed until 11 April; after then, there's no need to book in advance of your visit.

A beautiful Arts and Crafts garden of 'rooms' containing a magical collection of topiary and herbaceous borders. Tranquil walks on the estate take you along the River Cary.

A beautiful and intimate 18th-century landscape garden in Bath, undergoing a major restoration on its historic dams. Set in a sweeping valley above Bath, it's a place of magnificent views and lawns to relax on, with one of only four Palladian bridges in the world.

One of the few Elizabethan houses in England to have retained its setting within a compartmented garden, Montacute is complete with herbaceous borders, a magnificent fountain, orchard and parkland.

A place of floral beauty, tranquillity and innovation, Tintinhull Garden is a gardener's paradise. Glittering pools, secluded lawns, colourful borders and clipped hedges provide the perfect spot to relax and unwind, not far from Yeovil.

Extensive garden and parkland, just a stone's throw from Bristol. Terraces, a rose garden, an empty lake, woodland, champion trees and the kitchen garden balance faded beauty and function with an abundance of nature.

Part of the Holnicote Estate, Bossington is a peaceful coastal hamlet on the edge of the Bristol Channel with distinctive thatched cottages. From here you can wander down to the pebble beach, where there's plenty of coastal wildlife to spot and far-reaching views to Wales and along the Exmoor coastline.

Toward Weston-Super-Mare you'll find Brean Down, a natural pier jutting out into the Bristol Channel. The beach lies at the foot of the Down, and you can Venture to the top of the Down and take the exhilarating 1.5 mile walk along Somerset’s greatest natural pier.

The stunning stretch of coastline around Sand Point and Middle Hope sits north Brean Down. It's one of the most beautiful parts of North Somerset, with a natural pier into the Bristol Channel and views across Sand Bay.

Discover the Holnicote Estate, a varied landscape of moorland, woods, farms and coast, which makes up 12,000 acres of Exmoor National Park. This contrasting landscape has everything from wild, rugged moorland and shingle beaches to ancient woodland and charming thatched villages.

Fyne Court is a hidden gem in the heart of the Quantock Hills. You can explore this wild garden and surrounding countryside, discovering pieces of its history hiding in the undergrowth. The estate was the home of the Crosse family who lived here until the house was destroyed by fire in 1894.

Discover the heights of Somerset's famous Cheddar Gorge. At almost 400 feet deep and three miles long, this is England’s largest gorge, and with its weathered crags and pinnacles, one of our most spectacular natural sights.

Somerset has some wonderful gardens, still filled with colour and plenty to see as spring brings new life. Here are the perfect places to explore this season.

There are few better ways to enjoy the outdoors than by exploring the countryside around Somerset. We've put together a few of the top spring walks for you to enjoy - there are plenty to try.

Looking for something to do with the family this spring? There's all sorts to do at places around Somerset, from visiting a natural pier to finding spring flowers and having a picnic on the grass.

See the full list of gardens and outdoor spaces we care for in the South West which are open by county, and how to book to visit.

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 pick up a takeaway 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.

From Godolpin in Cornwall to Stourhead in Wiltshire, places in the South West are brimming with bluebells during the spring months. Find out if a beautiful bluebell spot can be visited on your local walk, or let us bring the bluebells to you.

As well as providing us with beautiful spaces to relax and delicious food and drink to enjoy, traditional orchards and gardens with flowering fruit trees in are home to many birds, bees, butterflies and insects.

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.

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.