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, a masterpiece of Elizabethan Renaissance architecture and design, is temporarily closed but will reopen on 26 December.

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. Open on weekends only.

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. The ground floor and chapel are open.

As winter arrives, the garden temples take pride of place offering wonderful view-points across the lake. Look out for the fiery orange of the willows on the island closest to Pantheon which add a pop of colour to the wintry scene.

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.

The Somerset area has some wonderful gardens, filled with fountains, lakes, terraces and a splash of winter colour. Here are the perfect places to get some fresh air and explore this season.

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 winter walks for you to explore- there are plenty to try.

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

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.