South West

Magnificent landscape garden near Torpoint, with sweeping views, topiary, sculptures and the National Collection of daylilies.

Glorious Cornish garden with valley views and an expansive estate to explore.

Peaceful, exotic 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.

An ancient and atmospheric estate with a medieval garden rich in archaeology and wildlife. The wider estate is home to an engine house and remains of the Godolphin family mine, far-reaching views, riverside and woodland walks.

Ancient woodlands and tranquil riverside paths on Lanhydrock's estate, near Bodmin. The extensive gardens have year-round colour from herbaceous borders and fabulous formal parterre.

Rocky island crowned by subtropical terraced garden with views of spectacular Mount's Bay.

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

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.

Tranquil small but varied garden complete with Elizabethan knot garden, wild meadow and orchard.

Enjoy walks, picnics, and stunning views across the Exe estuary to the east Devon coastline in the grounds at A la Ronde. This quirky sixteen-sided house makes the perfect backdrop to a relaxing day out.

Unexpected jewel on the edge of Exmoor, with pleasure grounds, a Victorian garden and over 20 miles of footpaths to explore.

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, designed by renowned 20th-century architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, is colourful in all seasons, and there are miles of pathways to explore in the gorge.

A 1920s country retreat complete with luxuriant garden by the sea in South Devon. Nestled in a coastal valley, this RHS accredited garden is filled with colour and exotic planting.

At Greenway, walled gardens, river views and romantic woodland combine to make up 'The loveliest place in the world' in the words of Agatha Christie.

A glorious landscape garden surrounded by parkland, a stone's throw from Exeter.

A great post-war garden with one of the finest and most varied plant collections in the country, and 19th-century parkland near Tiverton.

The deepest river gorge in the South West, with 30m high waterfall, Lydofrd 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.

Rolling landscape park on the outskirts of Plymouth with riverside and woodland walks, and garden with follies, beautiful shrubberies and imposing specimen trees.

Gardens, parkland and Dorset countryside to explore, near Wimborne Minster.

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 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.

An intimate medieval manor house with 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.

Extensive garden and parkland, just a stone's throw from Bristol. Flower filled terraces, an empty lake, woodland, champion trees and the kitchen garden balance faded beauty and function with an abundance of nature.

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

Lacock Abbey, a quirky country house built upon the foundations of a former nunnery, located within its own woodland grounds at the heart of a Wiltshire village.

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

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

There are beaches, parkland and gardens galore in the South West perfect for socially distanced picnicking this summer. Here are our top places to picnic in each county.

Here's our pick of the most beautiful, tranquil, exciting and inspiring gardens in the South West to visit in summer, come rain or shine.

Some of the best summer walks in the South West to help you find the perfect route, whether it's near where you live or where you're heading for the summer holidays.

Meadows across the South West are alive with wildflowers, providing vital habitats for nature. Find out about the work we're doing to care for and improve these special places.

While the ‘#urbanjungle’ hashtag has become ubiquitous with social media, there’s one special place in Devon that started embracing this trend over 100 years before Instagram. Overbeck’s has been home to plants from all corners of the globe since the 19th century. So, how do the garden team care for these unusual plants, and could they lend some tips to help you care for your own house plants and exotics?

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.

Looking for some inspiration for your next walk? Here's the nine most popular National Trust walks in the South West at the moment. Please follow social distancing measures, and don't forget to check the property home pages before you set out for your walk, for up to date opening details and see if you need to book.

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.

Take inspiration from one of the grand houses in the South West, and create a National Trust gingerbread house.

Honey tea bread, a recipe from Kingston Lacy, is perfect with a generous spread of butter and a steaming pot of tea.

Stephanie Couch from 'A Cornish Mum' shares her recipe for the perfect chocolate chip shortbread. These are her go to at Christmas time with a hot chocolate, but work perfectly year-round.

From Agatha Christie's holiday home, which was requisitioned by the US Coastguard, to coastal defences, several places we look after in the South West played an important role during the Second World War.

How did you sleep last night? Did you have a nice quiet room to yourself? A comfy mattress? Such luxurious solitude we take for granted. Martin Papworth, National Trust archaeologist, takes a look at our houses where we glimpse an older, more communal lifestyle.

Learn something new about Cornish mining with our top ten surprising facts.