South West

Lacock Abbey in Wiltshire on a frosty morning — A sunny winter morning at Lacock Abbey

Classic coastline, tropical gardens, iconic monuments and the great outdoors

Places to go this winter

Snowdrops nestled at the base of a tree at Trengwainton Garden in Cornwall

Snowdrops in the South West

A guide to some of the best places to spot snowdrops in the South West.

Children playing on a fallen tree in the parkland at Christmas at Lanhydrock, Cornwall

February half term in the South West

There's lots to look forward to this February half term. Spring blooms begin to emerge, and across the South West events and activities will be taking place.

Volunteering in the South West

Volunteers are a vital part of everything the National Trust does. If you've ever fancied getting stuck in, being part of a team, learning something new or just helping out, now's a great time. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Ready to volunteer?

Find a place to visit

In the South West you're never far from a National Trust garden, house or countryside walk.

Search for a place

Gardeners carrying out the Flower Count at Lanhydrock

2020 Valentine's Day Flower Count results: it's a blooming numbers game

In a world where we measure this and measure that, one pleasurable thing that we do measure annually is the flowers blooming in the gardens we care for in the South West, for the Valentine’s Day Flower Count. As the Trust celebrates its 125th anniversary, garden teams have, for the fifteenth-year running, been out and about counting the number of blooms in flower.

See the Flower Count results

Visitors on a guided spring walk — Guided spring walk

What's on

There are hundreds of events happening across the South West, including events for Mother's Day, school holiday fun, and guided walks and talks.

Find an event

Escape into a good book or lose yourself in drawing

A young girl picks up a second hand book to read

Five second-hand bookshops to visit in the South West

We’re shining a light on some of our favourite second-hand bookshops you’ll find tucked away at South West places.

Drawing is something we did at school isn’t it? Do we still need to draw? What use is it?

Give drawing a go and you may discover that it is good for you. It is a unique expression of yourself and teaches you to see in a new way: to question the detail and to interpret your surroundings.

A view of the coastline from the summit of Golden Cap, Dorset, at dawn

The power of books and the English landscape

Archaeologist Martin Papworth reflects on the beauty of the English countryside as portrayed in literature.

Winter walking

Pixie Glen at Lydford Gorge in the winter

Winter walks in the South West

Explore the diverse landscape of the South West on foot. Here's a selection of great walks by county, from Devon and Cornwall to Wiltshire.

A person walking and another on a mobility scooter, in the Heddon Valley in winter

Winter wildlife walks in the South West

Across the South West there are walks which take in top twitching spots and great places to see winter wildlife.

Walking routes in the South West with a cosy café

Whether you’re looking for fuel to kick-start a chilly ramble on the coast, or are returning from a gentle stroll in the woods, you’ll find that these cafés and tea-rooms are great places to warm up and enjoy a treat or two.

Ideas for an active New Year

Visitors completing the trail running challenge during the South West Outdoor Festival at Cheddar Gorge, Somerset

Running in the South West

Running on roads is great, but running on trails through countryside and parkland is definitely the way to go. Here are a selection of organised runs, trails and running events across the South West.

Cycling in the South West

There are miles of countryside waiting to be explored on two wheels in the South West. Here's our guide to biking and cycling in Cornwall, Devon and Dorset.