SOUTH WEST ENGLAND

A La Ronde
Summer Lane, Exmouth, Devon
Tel: (01395) 265 514

A unique 16 sided house built on the instructions of two spinster cousins, Jane and Mary Parminter. Completed c.1796, the house has many of the Parminter’s 18th century contents and collections.

Antony
Torpoint, Plymouth, Cornwall
Tel: (01752) 812 191

One of Cornwall’s finest early 18th century houses, faced in silvery-grey Pentewan stone, offset by colonnaded wings of red brick and set within extensive grounds.

Arlington Court
Arlington, nr Barnstaple, Devon
Tel: (01271) 850 296

The house, built in 1822 and set in 12ha of garden with extensive parks and woodlands, contains fascinating collections, including model ships, shells, costumes, pewter and furniture.

Ashleworth Tithe Barn
Ashleworth, Gloucestershire
Tel: (01985) 843 600

A 15th-century tithe barn, picturesquely located on the banks of the Severn and with an immense stone-tiled roof.

Avebury
nr Marlborough, Wiltshire
Tel: (01672) 539 250

Avebury: Image courtesy Vitualtourist.com

The Avebury Stone Circle surrounds part of the village of Avebury. The investigation of the circle was largely the work of Alexander Keiller in the 1930s. He put together one of the most important archaeological collections in Britain which can be seen in the Museum.

Avebury Manor and Garden
nr Marlborough, Wiltshire
Tel: (01672) 539 250

A much-altered house of monastic origin; the present buildings date from the early 16th century. The topiary and flower garden contain medieval walls.

Barrington Court
Barrington nr Ilminster, Somerset
Tel: (01460) 241 938

A beautiful garden influenced by Gertrude Jekyll and laid out in a series of rooms, including the White Garden, the Rose and Iris Garden and the Lily Garden. The Tudor manor house was restored in the 1920s.

Bath Assembly Rooms
Bennett Street, Bath & NE Somerset
Tel: (01225) 477 789

Designed in 1769 and restored to full Georgian splendour after being bombed in 1942.

Blaise Hamlet
Henbury, near Bristol, Bristol
Tel: (01985) 843 600

A hamlet of nine different picturesque cottages built in 1809 to accommodate Blaise Estate pensioners.

Boscastle
nr Cornwall Countryside, Cornwall
Tel: (01208) 863 046, (01840) 250 353 (Shop)

Much of the land in and around this picturesque north Cornish harbour and village is owned by the NT; including the cliffs of Penally Point and Willapark, Forrabury Common, above the village and divided into ancient ‘stitchmeal’ cultivation plots, and areas of woodland in Valency Valley.

Bradley
Newton Abbot, Devon
Tel: (01626) 354 513

A small medieval manor house set in woodland
and meadows.

Branscombe – The Old Bakery, Manor Mill & Forge
Branscombe, Seaton, Devon
Tel: (01297) 680 333

A traditional stone-built and partially rendered building with a thatched roof which was until 1987 the last traditional bakery in use in Devon: baking room and equipment have been preserved. Manor Mill, a water
powered mill, is still in working order.

Brownsea Island
Poole Harbour, Dorset
Tel: (01202) 707 744

A 202ha island of heath and woodland with views of the Dorset coast; also includes a nature reserve. Note: boats run from Poole Quay, Swanage, Bournemouth and Sandbanks at all stages of the tide, landing fee applies.

Buckland Abbey
Yelverton, Devon
Tel: (01822) 853 607

In a secluded valley above the River Tavy, the Abbey holds the secret to over 700 years of history; from Cistercian monastery to home of Sir Richard Grenville and Sir Francis Drake. Note: small fee may apply when special events are in progress.

Carnewas & Bedruthan Steps
Corwwall
Tel: (01637) 860 563 (Shop)

One of the most popular destinations on the Cornish coast, by virtue of the spectacular clifftop view of massive rock stacks marching into the distance across the sweep of Bedruthan beach (not NT). There are magnificent walks along the coast path between Carnewas and Park Head. The Trust has rebuilt the cliff staircase down to the beach, but it is unsafe to bathe at any time and visitors need to be aware of the risk of being cut off by the tide

Castle Drogo
Drewsteignton, nr Exeter, Devon
Tel: (01647) 433 306

A granite castle built between 1910 and 1930, one of the most remarkable works of Sir Edwin Lutyens. It stands at over 300 metres above sea level and includes a delightful garden and walks.

Chedworth Roman Villa
Yanworth, nr Cheltenham,
Gloucestershire
Tel: (01242) 890 256

The remains of one of the largest Romano-British villas in the country, set in a wooded Cotswold combe. Over one mile of walls survive and there are several fine mosaics, two bathhouses, hypocausts, a water-shrine and latrine. Excavated in 1864, the site still has a Victorian atmosphere and the site museum houses objects from the villa. A 15 minute audiovisual presentation gives visitors an insight into the history of this fascinating place.

The Church House
Widecombe in the Moor, Newton Abbot, Devon
Tel: (01364) 621 321

Originally a brewhouse dating back to 1537, this former village school is now used as a village hall.

Clevedon Court
Tickenham Road, Clevedon, North Somerset
Tel: (01275) 872 257

A 14th century manor house with a 12th century tower and 13th century hall. Also houses a collection of Nailsea glass and Eltonware.

Clouds Hill
Wareham, Dorset
Tel: (01929) 405 616

Lawrence of Arabia bought this cottage in 1925 as a retreat. Rooms are much as he left them.

Coleridge Cottage
35 Lime St, Nether Stowey, Bridgwater, Somerset
Tel: (01278) 732 662

Coleridge’s home for three years from 1797. It was here that he wrote The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. Only parlour and reading room shown.

Coleton Fishacre House & Garden
Coleton, Kingswear, Dartmouth, Devon
Tel: (01803) 752 466

A lovely garden set within the spectacular scenery of National Trust-owned coast. The garden was created by Lady Dorothy D’Oyly Carte between 1925 and 1940 and has a wide variety of rare and exotic trees and shrubs.

Compton Castle
Marldon, Paignton, Devon
Tel: (01803) 872 112

A fortified manor house with a curtain wall, built at three periods (1340, 1450 and 1520) by the Gilbert family. It was the home of Sir Humphrey Gilbert, coloniser of Newfoundland.

Corfe Castle
Wareham, Dorset
Tel: (01929) 481 294

One of the most impressive medieval ruins in England this former royal castle was besieged by parliamentary forces in 1646.

Cornish Mines & Engines
Pool, nr Redruth, Cornwall
Tel: (01209) 315 027

Two great beam engines used for pumping water from over 566 metres deep and for winding men and ore. The engines exemplify the use of high pressure steam patented in 1802.

Cotehele
St Dominick, nr Saltash, Cornwall
Tel: (01579) 352 739

The house has original furniture, armour and a remarkable set of tapestries and other textiles. There is a series of formal gardens near the house and a valley garden including a medieval dovecote.

Cotehele Mill
St Dominick, nr Saltash, Cornwall
Tel: (01579) 350 606 (opening hours)

Tucked away in dense woodland, this water mill, restored to working order, is a fine reminder of the recent past when corn was ground here for the local community. Nearby, a range of agricultural outbuildings contains a collection of a blacksmiths’, carpenters’, wheelwrights’ and saddlers’ tools and are presented as workshops, giving an insight into the working life of local craftsmen.

The Courts Garden
Holt, nr Trowbridge, Wiltshire
Tel: (01225) 782 340

A small 20th century garden in the Hidcote tradition with water features and garden ornaments.

Dunster Castle
Dunster, nr Minehead, Somerset
Tel: (01643) 823 004

The fortified home of the Luttrell family for 600 years with a 13th century castle building below a Norman motte.

Dyrham Park
nr Chippenham, South Gloucestershire
Tel: (01179) 372 501

Built between 1691 and 1710 the rooms have been little changed since they were furnished by Blathwayt (William III’s Secretary of State). Surrounded by parkland with herd of fallow deer.

Finch Foundry
Sticklepath, Okehampton, Devon
Tel: (01837) 840 046

A 19th century water-powered forge which produced agricultural hand tools. Regular demonstrations of working water wheels.

Fyne Court
Broomfield, Bridgwater, Somerset
Tel: (01823) 451 587

Headquarters of the Somerset Wildlife Trust and visitor centre for the Quantocks. The former pleasure grounds of the now demolished home of pioneer electrician, Andrew Crosse.

Glastonbury Tor
nr Glastonbury, Somerset
Tel: (01985) 843 600

The Tor offers spectacular views over Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire.

Glendurgan Garden
Mawnan Smith, nr Falmouth, Cornwall
Tel: (01326) 250 906

A beautiful valley garden with fine trees, rare and exotic plants and water gardens (house is privately occupied).

Great Chalfield Manor
nr Melksham, Wiltshire
Tel: (01225) 782 239

Dating from 1480, the manor house is encircled by a moat and defensive wall.

Greenway
Greenway Road, Galmpton,
nr Churston Ferrers, Devon
Tel: (01803) 842 382

Greenway is a glorious woodland garden on the banks of the River Dart that time seems to have passed by. Renowned for rare half-hardy plants underplanted by native wild flowers, a true ‘secret’ garden of peace and tranquillity. A unique and important estate on the Dart estuary Note: To protect the amenities of local people living on the roads leading to Greenway, the Trust is required to restrict the number of visitors’ vehicles admitted to the property. All visitors (both members and non-members) intending to arrive by car must telephone 01803 842382 to book a parking space before arriving at this property.

Hardy Monument
Black Down, Portesham, Dorset
Tel: (01202) 882 493

A monument erected in 1844 in memory of Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy, Flag-Captain of HMS Victory at the battle of Trafalgar.

Hardy’s Cottage
Higher Bockhampton, nr Dorchester, Dorset
Tel: (01305) 262 366

A small thatched cottage where the novelist/poet Thomas Hardy was born in 1840 – built by his great-grandfather. Note: approach only by 10 min walk through woods.

Heddon Valley Shop
Parracombe, Barnstaple Devon
Tel: (01598) 763 402

Information centre and gift shop set in a wooded valley in Exmoor. Offers many beautiful coastal and woodland walks.

Hidcote Manor Garden
Hidcote Bartrim, nr Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire
Tel: (01386) 438 333

One of England’s great gardens, an ‘Arts & Crafts’ masterpiece created by the horticulturist Major Lawrence Johnston. A series of outdoor rooms, each with a different character and separated by walls and hedges of many different species, the garden is famous for its rare shrubs and trees, outstanding herbaceous borders and unusual plant species from all over the world. The varied styles of the outdoor rooms peak at different times of year, making for an interesting visit at any time

Holnicote Estate
Exmoor National Park, Somerset
Tel: (01643) 862 452

Covers 12,500 acres of Exmoor National Park and includes the high tors of Dunkery and Selworthy Beacons. Covers four miles of coastline and over 100 miles of footpaths.

Horton Court
nr Chipping Sodbury, Bristol, South Gloucestershire
Tel: (01249) 730 141

12th century Norman hall and detached late-perpendicular ambulatory of a limestone manor house.

Killerton
Broadclyst, Exeter, Devon
Tel: (01392) 881 345

The house, built 1778, is furnished as a comfortable family home and includes the Paulise de Bush costume collection.

King John’s Hunting Lodge
The Square, Axbridge, Somerset
Tel: (01934) 732 012

An early Tudor merchant’s house extensively restored
in 1971.

Kingston Lacy
Wimborne Minster, Dorset
Tel: (01202) 880 413

The house has an outstanding collection of paintings including work by Rubens, Titian, Van Dyck and Lely. The Spanish Room is in gilded leather with a gilded ceiling brought from the Contarini Palace in Venice. Houses a fine collection of Egyptian artefacts.

Knightshayes Court
Bolham, Tiverton, Devon
Tel: (01884) 254 665

Begun in 1869, the house, with its richly-decorated Victorian interior, is a rare survival of the work of
William Burges.

Lacock Abbey, Fox Talbot Museum
& Village

Lacock, nr Chippenham, Wiltshire
Tel: (01249) 730 227 (Abbey), (01249) 730 459 (Museum)

The Abbey was founded in 1232 and converted into a country house c.1539. It includes medieval cloisters, sacristy, chapter house and a 16th century stable courtyard. A museum of photography commemorates the achievements of William Henry Fox Talbot, the inventor of the modern photographic negative.

Lanhydrock
Bodmin, Cornwall
Tel: (01208) 73 320

A fascinating late 19th century house with parts surviving from the 17th century. Note: allow at least 1.5 hours to tour house.

Lawrence House
9 Castle St, Launceston, Cornwall
Tel: (01566) 773 277

A Georgian house given to the Trust to help preserve the character of the street and now leased as a museum and civic centre.

The Levant Steam Engine
Trewellard, Pendeen, Cornwall
Tel: (01736) 786 156

In its tiny engine house perched on the edge of a cliff is the Levant steam engine which has been restored after 60 years of being idle.

Little Clarendon
Dinton, Salisbury, Wiltshire
Tel: (01985) 843 600

A Tudor house, much altered in the 17th century. Note: only the three principle rooms on the ground floor are open to public.

Little Fleece Bookshop
Bisley Street, Painswick, Gloucestershire
Tel: (01452) 812 103

A 17th-century building, originally part of a former inn and restored in an exemplary ‘Arts & Crafts’ style in 1935. Now open as a bookshop, with the ground-floor room only on view

The Lizard & Kynance Cove
Cornwell
Tel: (01326) 561 407

The most southerly point of mainland Britain and the turning point of one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. The coastline offers dramatic cliff walks, rare wild flowers and unique geology. Kynance Cove offers white sand, turquoise water and multi-coloured serpentine islands, with stacks and arches hidden amongst the cliffs.

Lodge Park & Sherborne Estate
Aldsworth, nr Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Tel: (01451) 844 130

Situated on the picturesque Sherborne Estate in the Cotswolds, Lodge Park was created in 1634 by John ‘Crump’ Dutton. Inspired by his passion for gambling and banqueting it is a unique survival of a grandstand, deer course and park. It was the home of Charles Dutton, 7th Lord Sherborne, until 1982 when he bequeathed his family’s estate to the National Trust. The grandstand has been reconstructed to its original form and is the first project of its kind undertaken by the Trust that relies totally on archaeological evidence. The park behind was designed by Charles Bridgeman in 1725. The Sherborne Estate is 1650ha (4000 acres) of rolling Cotswold countryside with sweeping views down to the River Windrush. Much of the village of Sherborne is owned by the Trust, including the post office and shop, school and social club. There are walks for all ages around the estate, which include the restored and working water meadows

Loughwood Meeting House
Dalwood, Axminster, Devon
Tel: (01392) 881 691

Built c.1653 by the Baptist congregation of Kilmington who attended services here at the risk of imprisonment.

Lydford Gorge
The Stables, Lydford nr Okehampton, Devon
Tel: (01822) 820 441 / 820 320

This famous gorge, 1.5 miles long, can be viewed from a circular walk which starts high above the river, passing through the oak woodland before the path drops down to the spectacular White Lady Waterfall.

Lytes Cary Manor
nr Charlton Mackrell, Somerton, Somerset
Tel: (01985) 843 600

A manor house with a 14th century chapel, 15th century hall and 16th century great chamber. Furnished in period style.

Marker’s Cottage
Broadclyst, Exeter, Devon
Tel: (01392) 461 546

Fascinating medieval cob house with a cross-passage
screen decorated with a painting of St Andrew.

Max Gate
Alington Ave, Dorchester, Dorset
Tel: (01305) 262 538

Poet and novelist Thomas Hardy designed and lived in the house from 1885 until his death in 1928. The house contains several pieces of Hardy’s furniture.

Mompesson House
The Close, Salisbury, Wiltshire
Tel: (01722) 335 659

One of the finest 18th century houses in the Cathedral Close, containing notable plasterwork.

Montacute House
Montacute, Somerset
Tel: (01935) 823 289

A magnificent Elizabethan house with many Renaissance features including contemporary plasterwork, chimney pieces and glass.

The Old Mill
Wembury Beach, Wembury Devon
Tel: (01752) 862 314

A café housed in a former mill house on a small beach near the Yealm estuary.

Overbecks Museum & Garden
Sharpitor, Salcombe, Devon
Tel: (01548) 842 893

The Edwardian house displays a collection including local photographs, ship building tools, toys and model boats. Beautiful garden with many rare plants.

Philipps House & Dinton Park
Dinton, Salisbury, Wiltshire
Tel: (01985) 843 600

A neo-Grecian house completed in 1816 and surrounded by a park offering many attractive walks.

Priest’s House
Mulchelney, Langport, Somerset
Tel: (01458) 253 771

A late-medieval hall house with large Gothic windows, originally the residence of priests serving the parish
church across the road.

Prior Park Landscape Garden
Ralph Allen Drive, Bath & NE Somerset
Tel: (01225) 833 422

Beautiful 18th century landscape garden created with advice from ‘Capability’ Brown. It has magnificent views of Bath.

St Anthony Head
Cornwall
Tel: (01872) 862 945

St Anthony Head overlooks the entrance to one of the world’s largest natural harbours. The starting point for a number of excellent coastal and sheltered creekside walks also bears newly revealed remains of a century of defensive fortifications.

St Michael’s Mount
Marazion, nr Penzance, Cornwall
Tel: (01736) 710 507

Originally the site of a Benedictine chapel the spectacular castle on top of this famous rock island dates from the 12th century.

Saltram
Plympton, Plymouth, Devon
Tel: (01752) 336 546

A remarkable George II mansion with its original contents and set in an attractive park.

Shute Barton
nr Axminster, Devon
Tel: (01297) 34 692

An important surviving non-fortified manor house of the middle ages.

Snowshill Manor
Snowshill,nr Broadway, Gloucestershire
Tel: (01386) 852 410

A Cotswold manor house containing Charles Paget Wade’s extraordinary collection of craftmanship and design, including musical instruments, clocks, toys, bicycles, weavers’ and spinners’ tools and Japanese armour. There is a delightful organic garden, and Mr Wade’s cottage can also be visited.

Stembridge Tower Mill
High Ham, Somerset
Tel: (01458) 250 818

The last thatched windmill in England, dating from 1822 and in use until 1910.

Stoke-Sub-Hamdon Priory
North Street, Stoke-sub-Hamdon, Somerset
Tel: (01985) 843 600

A complex of buildings begun in the 14th century for the priests of the chantry chapel of St Nicholas (now destroyed).

Stourhead
Warminster, Wiltshire
Tel: (01747) 841 152

Landscape garden laid out 1741–80 with lakes and temples, rare trees and plants. The house contains furniture by the younger Chippendale. King Alfred’s Tower, built in 1772, is a red-brick construction about 50 metres high with fine views.

Studland Beach & Nature Reserve
Countryside Office

Studland, Swanage, Dorset
Tel: (01929) 450 259

Fine sandy beaches stretch continuously for 3 miles from South Haven Point to the chalk cliffs of Handfast Point and Old Harry Rocks, and include Shell Bay and a designated naturist area. The heathland behind the beach is a National Nature Reserve and a haven for many rare birds and other forms of wildlife. There are several public paths and two nature trails here. Bird hides at Little Sea

Tintagel Old Post Office
Tintagel, Cornwall
Tel: (01840) 770 024

A 14th century stone house built to the plan of a medieval manor house. Used in the 19th century for nearly 50 years as a letter-receiving office, it is now restored to that period and function.

Tintinhull Garden
Farm Street, Tintinhull, Yoevil, Somerset
(01935) 822 545

A 20th century formal garden surrounding a 17th century house. The garden has been divided into areas by walls and hedges.

Treasurer’s House
Martock, Somerset
Tel: (01935) 825 801

A small medieval house with a two-storey hall that was completed in 1293 and a solar block which is even earlier.

Trelissick Garden
Feock, nr Truro, Cornwall
Tel: (01872) 862 090

A large garden with exotic plants making it attractive all year. There are also extensive park and woodland walks beside the river with views of the Fal Estuary and Falmouth harbour.

Trengwainton Garden
nr Penzance, Cornwall
Tel: (01736) 362 297

This garden is renown for the cultivation of exotic trees and shrubs. The walled garden has many plants which cannot be grown in the open anywhere else in the country.

Trerice
nr Newquay, Cornwall
Tel: (01637) 875 404

A small Elizabethan manor house (built 1571) with an early gabled facade, fine fireplaces, and oak and walnut furniture and clocks.

Tyntesfield
nr Bristol, NE Somerset
Tel: (0870) 458 4500

A spectacular Victorian country house and estate.  Tyntesfield was saved for the nation by the National Trust in June 2002.

Watersmeet House
Watersmeet Rd, Lynmouth, Devon
Tel: (01598) 753 348

A fishing lodge (c.1832) set in a picturesque valley. The site has been a tea garden since 1901 from where there are several beautiful walks.

Westbury Court Garden
Westbury-on-Severn, Gloucestershire
Tel: (01452) 760461

A rare and beautiful survival: the only restored Dutch water garden in the country, laid out 1696–1705. The National Trust’s first garden restoration, it was restored in 1971 and is planted with species dating from before 1700.

Westwood Manor
Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire
Tel: (01225) 863 374

A 15th century stone manor house; also a modern topiary garden.

White Mill
Sturminster Marshall, nr Wimborne, Dorset
Tel: (01258) 858 051

Rebuilt in 1776 on Domesday site, this corn mill has been extensively repaired and contains much of its rare 18th century timber machinery.