Top Things to do in South West England
Countries
Top 10 Gardens in South West England, England
Discover the best top things to do in South West England, United Kingdom including Coleton Fishacre, Sculpture by the Lakes, St. Michael's Mount, Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden, Iford Manor: The Peto Garden, Stourhead House and Garden, Lanhydrock House and Garden, Longleat, Athelhampton House and Gardens, Sherborne Castle & Gardens.
Restaurants in South West England
1. Coleton Fishacre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,786 reviews
Reviewed By JandAre
Third visit to this beautiful house. The grounds are magnificent and stretch down to the river. Unusual plants everywhere adding so much colour and interest. This is by far my favourite NT property - the warm feel of the house coupled with stunning views and beautifully designed and planted gardens surpass all the others.
2. Sculpture by the Lakes
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,366 reviews
Beautiful 26 acre Sculpture Park & Gardens, with Gallery cafe. Due to deep water NO CHILDREN UNDER 14 years of age (including babies) and NO DOGS are allowed. Open Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm, hut bookings are from 10am to 4.45pm. Entry is £12.50 per person. The Gallery Cafe is now open serving tea, coffee, light meals, delicious cakes, cream tea's, ice creams etc., visitors can choose to eat inside, outside (at the newly created seating area), or take it out into the Sculpture Park using one of the picnic baskets provided, complete with rug. Visitors are able to enjoy the Gallery & Gallery Cafe without entry to the Sculpture Park. Described as one of the most beautiful & unique sculpture parks in the United Kingdom, Sculpture by the Lakes marries the soft beauty of nature's wild river landscape with the more formal presentation of monumental outdoor sculpture. It is that combination of art and landscape that inspires Sculpture by the Lakes.
Reviewed By matttJ1645KV
So so Tranquil.easy to find on Sat Nav.some beautifully thought out by some very friendly and approachable staff.going to go again as soon as.Alot of thought and sensitivity about and how each sculpture is placed.i highly recommend this venue for sculpture newbies.
3. St. Michael's Mount
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,032 reviews
Cross the causeway where a legendary giant once walked. Follow the footsteps of pilgrims or boat hop to an island where modern life meets layers of history. Discover an evocative castle, a sub-tropical garden paradise and a close-knit island community.
Reviewed By 112trev0r - Northampton, United Kingdom
Hi " there just had an amazing day out at st Michael mount, " in Cornwall. It's a national trust place so if your a member of the national trust car parking and st Michael mount is free . But even if your not a member it well worth the money they charge it keep up with the maintenance works and repairs . Of the beautiful buildings. There's a absolutely lovely restaurant. On site really good facilities. The whole place was so clean " for such a large national trust site ' .it is a bit of a steep climb up the hill " to the fortification / castle, so much to see and the views were stunning " . And that just a taster of what to come inside there's so many amazing things to see " theres national trust guides to inform you about the history of the building and various collections on display. St Michael mount. Is a amazing day out for all the family. It's all a great adventure. a must do place. What should be on you list of places to see when you are in Cornwall " . Many thanks to all the national trust volunteers and staff " who made our day out so special Trevor Northampton England.
4. Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,487 reviews
Timed tickets are required. Please book in advance from website. The Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden contains the largest group of Hepworth's works, permanently on display where she lived and worked from 1949 until 1975.
Reviewed By RedJock
Lovely little sculpture garden in the middle of St Ives with some amazing sculptures set in a lovely garden.
5. Iford Manor: The Peto Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 205 reviews
Internationally renowned, Grade 1 listed, Italianate gardens designed by Harold Peto, who made Iford his home from 1899-1933. Characterised by terraces, pools, statuary cloisters and remarkable rural views, the garden is an archetype of its period and a historic design gem. The present owners have restored and today maintain the historic gardens and the ethos of their original designer through modern borders blended with historic plantings, and today welcome visitors to their home five days a week, with coach visits available outside normal hours. A housekeeper's tearoom serves homemade cakes and light refreshments at weekends and there is a cake-of-the-day during weekdays at the entrance desk. The gardens are steeply terraced, partially accessible to disabled visitors, who are recommended to call ahead for assistance. The gardens are not well suited to children because of unfenced ponds and other hazards. The owners are keen to protect a tranquil environment for visitors.
Reviewed By 954gemm - Bath, United Kingdom
It's not by chance we chose to move to Bradford-on-Avon - it's surrounded by beautiful places such as this! Albeit it's not a massive space, the grounds are stunning. We had one of the best experiences ever meeting one of their cats and him showing us around on my birthday. We really enjoyed the variety of the gardens, with an Asian themed area for example, and some quintessentially British parts etc. Visit at different times to enjoy different aspects for sure, and stop for a nice slice of cake and loose leaf teas if you get time.
6. Stourhead House and Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,507 reviews
Stourhead includes a Palladian house and world-famous landscape garden. The garden is perhaps the most beautiful and magical of all the great landscape gardens, Stourhead is an 18th-century view of an Arcadian paradise. On a plateau of high ground Stourhead house was built and became home to generations of the Hoare family.
Reviewed By Jeff1903 - King's Lynn, United Kingdom
There is a mansion in the Palladian style, gardens and extensive grounds. Admission is a touch expensive, but the chances are that you are already a National Trust member, but if you are not, it's worth considering especially as it will also save you £4 parking charges. I thought the house was fascinating, but excessively adorned and it gives the impression that quantity was more important than quality when bringing back stuff from the Grand Tour. However there are some gems like a John Piper painting and a Fredrick Leighton portrait. The grounds are magnificent and you are forever coming across temples or follies among the specimen trees and other plants as you walk round the lake. Picnics seem popular and the ice house is the best preserved I can remember seeing. Add in the gardens, shop, café and gallery and there is enough to do here for a whole day. Bear in mind that there is a good deal of walking, much of it up and down steep paths, so it could be a challenge for some and either wait for good weather or bring your waterproofs.
7. Lanhydrock House and Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,035 reviews
This 19th-century high-Victorian country house is one of the most fascinating in England. Colourful gardens, riverside walks and family friendly cycle trails.
Reviewed By pgould87 - Burton upon Trent, United Kingdom
Keep coming back we love visiting been many times staff are so friendly even our youngest managed to catch a ride back up on the electric buggy car lol cheeky devil definitely worth visiting so much to see beautiful house and gardens
8. Longleat
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,728 reviews
Reviewed By Speckycatlady - Cardiff, United Kingdom
With endless attractions, you need at least one full day to visit Longleat and explore,. The Safari is great fun and the free Safari app provides an informative commentary while viewing the animals - make sure to unscrew your aerial before you visit the monkey enclosure! We spent at least an hour driving around the safari. Enjoy a boat trip to feed the sealions, handle some exotic creatures in the Jungle Kingdom, pet some farm animals in the petting farm, feed nectar to the lorikeets and experience the bat cave. Longleat country house is beautiful to explore, as are the grounds. Round off the day with food at one of the many food establishments on site, and take a train ride around the outskirts of the park before leaving.
9. Athelhampton House and Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 755 reviews
Athelhampton House is one of England's finest Tudor Manor Houses. Dating from 1485, the Great Hall is a fine example of domestic Tudor architecture, the house has many interesting rooms, filled with antique furnishings and art. The Gardens remodelled in 1891 surround the House, with many 'compartments' built with Ham stone, each with a different style or theme, each with a water feature of a pond or fountain. The Great Court features the 12 world famous giant yew tree pyramids. The House and Gardens are protected by a Grade 1 listing, and are well maintained to protect for future generations. An excellent visitor centre with restaurant, tea room, gift shop and plant sales area complete the attraction. Enjoy a great Lunch or afternoon tea. See our website for special offers.
Reviewed By Li33iet
We had a fantastic day out at Athelhampton House & Gardens. The house was a complete joy to explore and still retains a lived in feel with masses of history. The visit was very relaxed, we were able to come and go as we pleased , breaking off for a superb lunch in the restaurant before returning to the house. The gardens were beautiful, a delight to explore with plenty of places to sit and rest or take in the views. All staff were very friendly and welcoming and knowledgeable about the property and it’s history. Little touches such as being able to borrow a guide book while touring the house and gardens and being invited to sit on the chairs while exploring the house were exceptional. Returning to the restaurant for superb tea and cake rounded off a perfect day. Would happily revisit when next in the area.
10. Sherborne Castle & Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 538 reviews
Sherborne Castle & Gardens is a wonderful day out. Visit our historic castle and walk through 400 years of history, explore 42 acres of “capability” Brown landscape gardens and take time to enjoy a delicious cream tea in our tea room. Why not browse in the gift shop & pick up a bottle of our very own Sherborne Castle Wine to take home to drink with your supper!
Reviewed By GrahamP1518
We visited this amazing castle that was built for Sir Walter Raleigh, what a treat beautiful castle and gardens by Capability Brown. Lots of history here and great views over the gardens and old castle. Very much enjoyed our day!
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