Places to visit in the South West

Peaceful 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. Colourful camellias, snowdrops and early daffodils and primroses bring colour to the garden for local visitors to enjoy.

You'll find ancient woodlands and tranquil riverside paths on Lanhydrock's estate, near Bodmin.

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. Award-winning magnolias and rhododendrons will bring spring colour, and winding wooded paths lead to sea views across Mount's Bay.

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 that shelter the primroses flowering below them come spring.

You'll find ancient woodlands and tranquil riverside paths on Lanhydrock's estate, near Bodmin.

On the edge of Exmoor, the facilities at Arlington Court are closed, but there are over 20 miles of footpaths to explore on the estate. The pleasure grounds and Victorian garden are open for local visitors.

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 is now closed for winter but the wider Teign Gorge and countryside walks are open for local walkers to explore. There's no need to book ahead, however parking is limited so if the car park is busy please come back another time.

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 quaint gardens and sprawling parkland are filled with snowdrops at this time of year.

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.

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. Open until 1 November.