South West

We’re reopening a number of places in line with government guidance. You can visit places across Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire. We recommend you book in advance for visits to gardens, parks and houses, especially at busy times such as weekends. See what’s open and ready for you to book this week below…

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.

Near Torpoint, the garden at Antony is home to playful topiary, intriguing sculptures, fountains and sweeping views over the water. In spring, the garden comes to life with pear blossom, daffodils, primroses, wisteria, mimosa, rhododendrons and more.

Glorious Cornish garden with valley views and an expansive estate to explore. The garden features terraces, ponds and orchards with 150 local apple varieties.

An ancient and atmospheric estate with a medieval garden rich in archaeology and wildlife. In the walled King's Garden, cloud-like box hedges follow neat paths that shelter the primroses flowering below them come spring.

Peaceful and playful valley garden near Falmouth, where big leaves and exotic flowers thrive in the jungle-like lower valley and sun-loving specimens enjoy the upper banks. Colourful camellias, snowdrops and early daffodils and primroses bring colour to the garden for local visitors to enjoy.

You'll find ancient woodlands and tranquil riverside paths on Lanhydrock's estate, near Bodmin. There's no need to book to walk around the estate, but tickets must be booked to visit the garden.

Sheltered garden bursting with exotic trees and shrubs where you can follow in the footsteps of the 1920s plant hunters to see plants that flowered in Britain for the first time. Award-winning magnolias and rhododendrons will bring spring colour, and winding wooded paths lead to sea views across Mount's Bay.

An estate with maritime views and woodland walks, near Truro. Explore the meandering paths through the garden, leading to exotic plants and herbaceous borders.

Tranquil small but varied garden complete with Elizabethan knot garden, wild meadow and orchard, open for local walkers.

On the edge of Exmoor, the facilities at Arlington Court are closed, but there are over 20 miles of footpaths to explore on the estate. The pleasure grounds and Victorian garden are open for local visitors.

Tranquillity and history meet at this ancient gem in the Tavy Valley landscape, with gardens, meadows, orchards and woodlands to explore.

High above the ancient woodlands of the Teign Gorge stands Castle Drogo. The garden is now open to visit, but please book ahead. The Teign Gorge and countryside walks are open for local walkers to explore with no need to book, however parking is limited so if the car park is busy please come back another time.

The deepest river gorge in the South West, with 30m high waterfall, Lydford Gorge gorge is filled with wildlife, plants and trees that enchant the senses.

A hidden paradise of subtropical gardens, Overbeck's is tucked away on the cliffs above Salcombe. The garden is bursting with colour, filled with exotic and rare plants and surprises round every corner. Remember to book ahead before you visit.

A peaceful retreat set within the beautiful Devon countryside near Bovey Tracey, Parke is open with no need to book to visit. Take a short stroll around the garden, or a longer more strenuous walk through the woodlands and along the river to the medieval weir.

A 19th-century garden and parkland near Tiverton, with woodland walks and acres of tenanted farmland where you may even spot Exmoor Horn sheep. The formal and woodland garden is one of the finest and most varied plant collections in the country.

A glorious landscape garden surrounded by parkland, a stone's throw from Exeter. When visiting for local walks you can explore winding paths, climb an extinct volcano, discover an Iron Age hill fort and take in distant views towards Dartmoor.

At Saltram there's a secret garden to lose yourself and parkland with riverside and woodland walks. Strolling through this precious green space on the outskirts of Plymouth, you can almost forget that the city lies so close.

Famous for red squirrels, wildlife and Scouting, Brownsea Island is dramatically located in Poole Harbour, with views across to the Purbeck Hills. Thriving habitats including woodland, heathland and a lagoon create a unique haven for wildlife. Brownsea is open from Monday 19 April with tickets bookable from Friday 16 April.

There are sweeping lawns, a Japanese Garden, the woodland and parkland walks to explore, as well as the wider estate and countryside.

Now a romantic ruin, this fairy-tale fortress in an evocative survivor with 1000 years of history. Fallen walls and secret places tell tales of treachery and treason. Panoramic views across the Purbeck countryside.

Situated near Bath, this ancient parkland is full of magnificent trees and view points with extensive vistas that stretch as far as the Welsh mountains. The garden is home to sumptuous planting, formal areas and peaceful wooded terraces.

Arts and Crafts-inspired garden with intricately designed outdoor spaces in the rolling Cotswold hills. Explore the maze of narrow paved pathways and discover secret gardens, delightful vistas and colourful planting.

Tudor hunting lodge set proudly in an estate on top of the Cotswold escarpment, looking down into the Ozleworth valley and to the Mendips beyond. The quaint gardens and sprawling parkland are filled with spring blooms.

The garden of this Cotswold manor house is the perfect place to unwind and explore hidden vistas, quiet corners and unexpected delights.

A rare and beautiful survivor, explore the canals in this Dutch water garden near Gloucester; the only restored one in the country.

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.

World-famous landscape garden with magnificent lake reflecting classical temples, mystical grottoes, and rare and exotic trees.

Take a wander through the grounds of this country house with monastic roots, once home to William Henry Fox Talbot, inventor of the photographic negative

The world's largest prehistoric stone circle is open for local walkers, as well as Circles Restaurant (takeaway only) and the toilets in the Old Farmyard.

Romantic Arts and Crafts garden near Melksham with terraces, topiary houses, gazebo, lily pond, roses and views across the spring-fed fishpond.

Charming English country garden full of variety, with peaceful water gardens, herbaceous borders, organically shaped topiary and an imaginative use of colour and planting.

Here's our pick of the most beautiful, tranquil, exciting and inspiring gardens in the South West to walk through as spring blooms. Come sunshine or showers, these special places are filled with fresh air and tranquillity.

Explore the diverse landscape of the South West on foot. Here's a selection of great walks by county, taking in coastline, hillforts, woodland, countryside and more across Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire. Navigate through these to find your local walk, perfect for getting some fresh air as spring emerges.

Check out the places to explore as a family in each county in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire this spring, as well as some fun to have with your family from home.

With warmer temperatures and longer days of early spring, sunny yellow daffodils are starting to appear.

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.