South West

Killerton's garden is a canvas of colour in the summer
Holywell
Summer in The Terraces at Cotehele
Trees lining Deer Park road on Brownsea Island

Killerton's garden is a canvas of colour in the summer
Holywell
Summer in The Terraces at Cotehele
Trees lining Deer Park road on Brownsea Island

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

Make the most of summer

Top gardens for summer in the South West

There's colour everywhere at this time of year and it's at its most glorious in the summer sun. You'll also find shady spots to cool off in and follies to hide in from the inevitable rain shower.

Summer wildlife

The South West is home so all sorts of wildlife, and the places we care for are great for spotting some of the species that live here. There's the weird, wonderful and colourful waiting to be found, in particular, there's butterflies galore.

Beautiful beaches

From well-known family favourites to secluded peaceful coves, the South West has a beach to suit everyone. Here's a few for inspiration, and how to find the perfect coastal spot near you.

Family enjoying a summer picnic — Picnic in a summer meadow

Perfect picnic spots

You're spoilt for choice of picnic spots in the South West. There are endless sands at Studland Beach, Dorset or thewoodlands and orchards of Lydford Gorge in Devon plus many more. Pack your picnic and find out for yourselves.

Find a picnic spot in the South West

Our work in the South West

Under the floorboards

The archaeologists who help look after and discover the stories of the places we care for have a real knack for solving mysteries. Here Nancy Grace turns detective to uncover the local people who helped remodel the magnificent Italian-style house at Kingston Lacy in the 1800s.

The hills above Heddon's Mouth near Lynton, North Devon in summer

A healthy, natural and beautiful environment in the South West

When nature and wildlife can move freely between habitats, they flourish. Without this freedom, they suffer. Our coastal ambition is to join up the coastline, working with partners to make a link around the coast so wildlife can prosper and people can access it.

Trees in North Park - Sherborne Park Estate

Solving a riddle

Behind the scenes, teams of specialists work to discover the past of the places we care for. A mix of fascinating research and special technology helped show what happened to 1300 trees once planted at Lodge Park.

Children playing in the Bide Brook and a dog walker in the village Lacock in Wiltshire — Having a paddle in the Bide Brook in Lacock village

Find a place to visit

Discover somewhere to visit using our search. In the South West you're never far from somewhere to explore.

Find a place to visit

Inspiration for outdoor adventures

The view over the River Dart in summer as seen from the walk from Galmpton to Greenway via Mill Lane

Summer walks in the South West by county

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.

We need to talk about nature

We're working to reverse the damage that human activity has wreaked on nature in the South West over the last fifty years or so.

Outdoor inspiration

Running, walking, cycling, kayaking, camping, beautiful beaches and top views: all in a days adventure in the South West.

Explore the South West by county

Know what county you're looking for? These are our county pages, packed with ideas and inspiration for what to do in the South West.

Winter view out to sea from Little Dartmouth

Explore the South West by area or city

Discover what you can do on Exmoor, Dartmoor and the Jurassic Coast, what you'll find in the Cotswolds and the English Riviera, and what you can do around Bath & Bristol, Plymouth and Exeter.