South West

Here's our pick of the most beautiful, tranquil, exciting and inspiring gardens in the South West to walk through this winter. Whatever the weather, wrap up warm and explore these special places as they are made new by winter's spell.

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 exploring the great outdoors this winter.

Check out the places to explore as a family in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire this winter.

An estate with maritime views and woodland walks, near Truro. Explore the meandering paths through the garden and enjoy festive displays on select dates in the winter.

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

From Saturday 20 November, see the Cotehele Garland as it would have looked when the tradiiton started

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 where you can experience an environment that’s rich in history as well as nature.

This Victorian watermill and workshops nestled in a wooded valley is an atmospheric reminder of the recent past when corn was ground here for the local community. We're welcoming visitors back to the ground floor of the mill, including the shop, bakery and water wheel.

At the very heart of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site sits the great beam engine in Taylor's engine house, originally powered by high-pressure steam boilers introduced by local hero Richard Trevithick. On a guided tour you'll discover the whole dramatic story of Cornish mining.

Arguably one of the most dramatic stretches of the North Cornwall coast, the unspoilt Pentire coastline offers far-reaching views and plenty of walking routes including some that are accessible by Tramper mobility scooter (scooters available by pre-booking only). The new Pentyr café offers indoor seating and a wood burning stove, keeping it cosy on colder days, open Thursdays-Sundays.

The Lanhydrock estate is full of winding paths and stretches of countryside to explore in winter. Park Café is open daily in winter, perfect for a warming drink after a walk or cycle.

Open on select days throughout the winter. A tranquil small but varied garden complete with Elizabethan knot garden.

Head inside and warm yourself by the fire and embrace the festive spirit in the house decorated for Christmas.

Tranquillity and history meet at this ancient gem in the Tavy Valley landscape, with gardens, meadows, orchards and woodlands to explore. Follow over 700 years of footsteps; from the Cistercians who built the Abbey, to seafarers Grenville and Drake who changed the shape of the house and the fate of the country.

High above the ancient woodlands of the Teign Gorge stands Castle Drogo. Inspired by the rugged Dartmoor tors that surround it, the castle was designed and built by renowned 20th-century architect Sir Edwin Lutyens. The garden is colourful in all seasons, and there are miles of pathways to explore in the Teign Gorge. Open on weekends only.

Open on weekends this RHS accredited garden offers enticing glimpses out to sea, paths that weave through glades past tranquil ponds, and tender plants that thrive in the moist and sheltered coastal valley.

The house is imbued with Art Deco elegance. It was the country home of the D'Oyly Carte family, and now you can travel back in time to the Jazz Age by visiting the ground floor.

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.

At Greenway, the walled gardens, river views and romantic woodland combine to make up 'The loveliest place in the world' in the words of Agatha Christie. The relaxed and atmospheric Georgian house is set in the 1950s, when Agatha and her family would spend summers and Christmases here with friends, and is home to their extensive collections. Open on weekends only. If arriving by car, you will need to book in advance to secure a parking space.

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.

On weekends you can discover the 19th century manor house, built for a former Tiverton MP. Knightshayes is a rare example of the work of William Burges, whose lavish designs have always inspired extremes of opinion.

A glorious landscape garden surrounded by parkland, a stone's throw from Exeter, beautiful year-round with rhododendrons, magnolias, champion trees and formal lawns. Explore winding paths, climb an extinct volcano, discover an Iron Age hill fort and take in distant views towards Dartmoor. The ground floor of the friendly Georgian house and the fashion exhibition upstairs will reopen on 26 November.

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.

Kingston Lacy is a dazzling superstar of a house, inspired by the palaces of Italy and filled with treasures. The garden and wider estate are perfect for exploring on a crisp winter's day.

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.

The late 1600s impressive baroque mansion house has an extensive collection of fine art and Dutch Delftware.

Open at weekends this 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.

Open Friday to Sunday this Tudor hunting lodge is 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 summer blooms.

The architecture of Newark House reveals its intriguing history, with a quirky collection of furnishings and impressive views completing its homely feel.

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.

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.

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.

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

Stourhead house was one of the first grand Palladian-style villas to be built in England.

You can wander through the grounds and garden of this country house with monastic roots, once home to William Henry Fox Talbot, inventor of the photographic negative.

Explore the first floor of the Abbey, built upon the foundations of a former nunnery, the cloister court, and the museum which celebrates the achievements of former Lacock resident, William Henry Fox Talbot, famous for his contributions to the invention of photography.

At Avebury, the world's largest prehistoric stone circle partially encompasses a pretty village as well as Circles Restaurant. Avebury Manor is open selected days for guided tours. The Manor garden is made of 'garden rooms' each with a different character, from formal lawns to orchards, topiary and kitchen gardens.

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.