Somerset

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.

The house is a masterpiece of Elizabethan Renaissance architecture and design, with towering walls of glass and glowing ham stone.

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.

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.

This ornate Victorian Gothic Revival house with bespoke architecture reflects the devout Anglo-Catholic beliefs of the Gibbs family who called this house home.

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. The estate was the home of the Crosse family who lived here until the house was destroyed by fire in 1894.

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 wide open lawns, with one of only four Palladian bridges in the world.

Romantic poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge wrote some of his best works in his three years living in this 17th-Century cottage. Coleridge Cottage has a rich and fascinating history, from a humble Georgian home, to its transformation into ‘Moore’s Coleridge Cottage Inn’ during the Victorian era.

Standing high on the Blackdown Hills, the Wellington Monument, at 175ft, is the tallest three-sided obelisk in the world. The story of its origins, and shambolic construction, repeats itself in the story of its conservation and repair up to the present day.

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.

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.

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.

The intimate medieval manor house was originally the family home of Henry Lyte, where he translated the unique Niewe Herball book on herbal remedies.

The Somerset area has some wonderful gardens filled with fountains, lakes and terraces. Here are the perfect places to explore this season as the days get warmer and spring flowers begin to emerge from their hibernation.

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

Looking for something to do with the family this summer? There's all sorts to do at places around Somerset, from visiting a natural pier to running across the grass, spotting blossom and hunting for wildlife.

From Shakespeare on stage to jazz on the lawn and Oscar-winning movies on the silver screen, join the outdoor theatre, music and film events at some of the most spectacular places we look after.

Summer memories should always include a summer picnic in a perfect picnic spot. Here are just a few suggestions of places around Somerset to spread out a blanket.

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.

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.

We look forward to welcoming you to the coast and countryside around the South West. We care for beautiful countryside, from Cornwall's sandy beaches to Dorset's heathland, and you can help us to keep them safe and enjoyable by following a few simple guidelines during your visit and observing the Countryside Code.

No overnight camping or parking is allowed at the places we care for. More information on why we don’t permit visitors to stay overnight at our car parks can be found here.

With more people than ever enjoying our coast and countryside places, we’re asking for your help in looking after them during your visit. Please help us protect wildlife and landscapes by following the Countryside Code, which includes taking any litter home with you and not lighting a barbecue or campfire.