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Places To See

Somerset Houses & Gardens


Somerset the home of the finest houses & garden's

 A proud tradition for planting formal gardens can be traced back many generations in Somerset where there are some superb examples of classic design.  In many cases there is the added advantage of an inviting house to wander round as well.
The National Trust owns Montacute House - a Grade 1 Listed Elizabethan mansion in local Ham stone boasting the longest gallery of its kind in England with more than 60 portraits of the period and beautiful gardens. Nearby National Trust properties include Barrington Court, Tintinhull Gardens and Priests House, Muchelney.
As well as imposing mansions, the county has intimate manor houses such as Lytes Cary and Cothay.  It has charming cottages in spades like the award winning Coleridge Cottage at Nether Stowey and a whole estate of chocolate box thatched homes at Holnicote on Exmoor.
More than 300 years of garden design can be found in the wonderful treat that is Hestercombe, near Taunton which has been lovingly restored over the last 20 years and is now open all year to show off one of the finest Jekyll and Lutyens collaborations in the UK.


Along with Abbeys, Priories and Castles usually come superb gardens and Somerset claims its fair share of these as well as Walled Gardens, Botanic Gardens, Cottage Gardens and even Secret Gardens. These wonderful retreats have lakes, parterres, cascades, follies and in one case a viaduct. Several are designed by world famous names.
You can find some of England’s finest historic houses and gardens. Fans of costume dramas should recognise them as they are favourites among TV producers and Film makers. We have Elizabethan Montacute House with the longest Long Gallery and Barrington Court, a Tudor manor house with a garden inspired by Gertrude Jekyll. Both are owned by the National Trust.
Jekyll’s magic touch can be detected at Hestercombe, 50 acres of quintessential Somerset gardens, near Taunton where Georgian Landscape Victorian Shrubbery and Edwardian Formality are all represented.
Another fine garden is at East Lambrook where Margery Fish brought her expert plantsmanship to bear on a cottage garden or you could visit the small but beautifully formed garden at Tintinhull.

East Lambrook Manor Gardens
East Lambrook Manor Gardens

The quintessential English cottage garden created by the celebrated 20th-century plantswoman and gardening writer Margery Fish and made famous through her many books. It is a unique garden of great beauty and charm with noted collections of snowdrops, hellebores and geraniums and an excellent specialist plant nursery, café and gallery.

Summer Lates at Hestercombe
Summer Lates at Hestercombe

Hestercombe's beautiful summer gardens will be open until 8pm on Wednesday evenings throughout June, July, August and September

Montacute House, National Trust
Montacute House, National Trust

Montacute House is a masterpiece of Elizabethan Renaissance architecture and design

The Bishop's Palace
The Bishop's Palace

The Bishop’s Palace and Gardens in Wells, Somerset, has been home to the Bishops of Bath and Wells for over 800 years and this stunning medieval palace is now open for all to enjoy. It’s a great family day out in Somerset with a full programme of year-round events, free guided walks, open-air music and theatre, garden workshops and more and a slice of cake with afternoon tea at the ever-popular Bishop’s Table café is always welcome!

Guided tours are also included with your Admission – check available times at the Ticket Office on arrival.

The Garden at Dunster Castle, National Trust
The Garden at Dunster Castle, National Trust

The result of 100s of years of planning, building and restoration a walk around the gardens at Dunster Castle takes you around the world and though four different microclimates.

The Chalice Well
The Chalice Well

Historical well with legends in Glastonbury, Somerset.Chalice Well at the foot of Glastonbury Tor.

Lytes Cary Manor, National Trust
Lytes Cary Manor, National Trust

Intimate manor house with Arts and Crafts-style garden

Somerset Lavender
Somerset Lavender

Enjoy our family-run lavender farm, with spectacular views and wonderful gardens. Stop off for home made refreshments and shop for fragrant lavender products made with our own produce.

Tintinhull, National Trust
Tintinhull, National Trust

A place of floral beauty, tranquillity and innovation - a gardener's garden paradise.

Iford Manor Gardens
Iford Manor Gardens

Set in 2.5 acres, this steep, terraced, Italianate garden affords the visitor wonderful views of the valley, especially enjoyed from the casita, loggia and cloisters. Steeped in history, a visit to the beautiful, Italianate gardens is often described as like stepping into another world.


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