Places in the South West you need to book

Near Torpoint, the garden at Antony is home to playful topiary, intriguing sculptures, fountains and sweeping views over the water. The 18th-Century house of silver grey stone is a beguiling mixture of the formal and informal. It's believed to be one of the finest surviving Queen Anne buildings in the West Country.

A working beam engine running on steam where mining history comes to life: learn of Levant's industry and tragedy. You can visit the buildings at Levant by booking a guided tour. Levant Mine sits on the cliffs of the industrial and dramatic 'Tin Coast', part of the Cornish World Heritage site.

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.

One of the oldest houses in Cornwall, legend says the roof is dented because a dragon once sat on it. The name of this unusual and atmospheric 14th-century yeoman's farmhouse dates from the Victorian period when it briefly held a licence to be the letter receiving station for the district.

Home to the last set of working Victorian water-powered forge tools in England, Finch Foundry is the doorway to Dartmoor's industrial past with a lovely garden. Get an insight into the life of workers in the 19th century and learn about the enterprising Finch family.

This quirky 18th-century, 16 sided house with fascinating interior decoration and collections was built for two spinster cousins, Jane and Mary Parminter, on their return from a grand tour of Europe in the late 18th century. It contains many objects and mementoes of their travels.

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.

At Greenway, the blooms of summer flowers, 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.

This unspoilt and fascinating medieval manor house is still a relaxed family home. You can wander through rooms untouched by time, warm yourself by the open fire, and unwind in the tranquil garden. Bradley is nestled in a green haven of riverside meadows and woodland, hidden away in the heart of Newton Abbot.

Set in a landscape of rolling hills and orchards, Compton Castle is a gem of a garden, where roses, apple trees and calm pools are waiting to be discovered.

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.

This tiny isolated cottage in the heart of Dorset was the home of an extraordinary man: T. E. Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia. He furnished the rooms of his rural retreat to his personal taste and they are much as he left them, giving an insight into the complex personality of the writer, warrior and friend of Thomas Hardy.

Few authors have such strong associations with the natural and cultural heritage of their local area as Thomas Hardy. This cottage, where Hardy was born in 1840, was built of cob and thatch by his great-grandfather and has been little altered since the family left. Despite training as an architect, writing was Hardy's first love, and it was from here that he wrote several of his early short stories, poetry and novels including 'Under the Greenwood Tree' and 'Far from the Madding Crowd'.

Lodge Park is England’s only surviving 17th-century grandstand, and was a place of parties and entertainment. Set in the expansive Bridgeman Landscape, discover Lodge Park’s rich history and the life of its passionate owner, John Dutton. Open for guided tours on selected dates, booking essential.

Cradled in a beautiful Cotswold valley rest the remains of one of the grandest Roman villas in Britain. See extensive mosaic floors, hypocaust systems and bath house rooms in a tranquil setting, with plenty of opportunities for walks, relaxation and reflection.

The garden of this Cotswold manor house is the perfect place to unwind and explore hidden vistas, quiet corners and unexpected delights. Inside are Charles Wade’s eclectic collections. He was an architect and artist who dedicated his life to collecting; thousands of objects are laid out for you to see just as he intended. Booking essential for the manor.

This 18th-century Queen Anne townhouse in Salisbury's historic Cathedral Close has reopened with introductory tours, focusing on the architecture and the setting of Mompesson. Inside the house explore the entrance hall, dining room, large drawing room and small drawing room. These rooms have been redisplayed to highlight interior features such as the beautiful plasterwork.

Romantic Arts and Crafts garden near Melksham with terraces, topiary houses, gazebo, lily pond, roses and views across the spring-fed fishpond. This charming 15th-century manor house sits peacefully in the countryside, complete with a moat, barns, gatehouse and delightful parish church.