Victorian Kitchen Tours (weekends)
10 Oct, 17 Oct…
A guided tour takes visitors through Dunster Castle’s Victorian kitchen and larders, with stories about the cooks, maids and other staff who worked there.
Somerset
Somerset is a historic and scenic county in South West England, known for its heritage cities, natural landscapes, and cultural festivals like Glastonbury.
Near Yarn Market, Dunster
The Yarn Market in Dunster, Somerset, is a historic Grade I listed octagonal building from the early 17th century, originally built to support the local wool and cloth trade, featuring a unique central pier with timber roofing and marked by Civil War history.
Autumn games in the Stableyard
7 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
Visitors can enjoy spooky autumn activities in the Stableyard, including broomstick races, games and challenges for all ages, alongside the Marvellous Moths trail.
Drawn to Trees: tree trail
7 Oct–31 Dec (another 83 days)
Explore an outdoor trail through Stourhead’s landscape garden, featuring 17 trees and the myths, folklore and reflections associated with them across different cultures and centuries.
Near Stourhead
Stourhead is a historic estate in Wiltshire featuring a Grade I listed Neo-Palladian house, an acclaimed 18th-century English landscape garden with classical temples, an artificial lake, and significant art collections, managed by the National Trust.
Royal Geographical Society: Earth Photo 2026
3 Oct–29 Nov (another 51 days)
An outdoor exhibition of shortlisted contemporary environmental photography and film from Earth Photo 2026. The works explore nature, people, places and the effects of climate change.
Near Tyntesfield
Tyntesfield is a Victorian Gothic Revival house surrounded by 540 acres of estate including woodland, gardens, and play areas, offering both indoor and outdoor experiences. Visitors can enjoy guided tours of the house, explore walking trails, dine at cafés and a restaurant, shop for gifts, and bring dogs on leads to designated areas. Accessibility features include a mobility shuttle, accessible routes, and wheelchair provision.
Gilded Treasures Exhibition: 50 Years of the National Trust at Dunster Castle
5 Oct–2 Nov (another 24 days)
An exhibition marking 50 years of the National Trust at Dunster Castle, featuring golden objects from the castle’s collection, including its rare gilt leather hangings. Visitors can also learn about the castle’s gift to the Trust and view a film presenting a virtual gallery of the hangings.
Near Dunster Castle and Watermill
Dunster Castle and Watermill in Somerset offer a rich experience combining a historic castle, working Victorian watermill, beautiful gardens, and scenic parkland with panoramic views. Visitors can explore the castle interiors, gardens with diverse plants, enjoy family-friendly activities, and visit cafés and shops on site.
Pop Up Shop hosted by National Trust
7–22 Oct (another 13 days)
Local nature photographer Ben Pullitz displays wildlife and landscape photographs in a pop-up shop at Lytes Cary Manor.
Near Lytes Cary
Lytes Cary is a Grade I listed historic manor house in Somerset dating from the 14th century, featuring a chapel, Great Hall with period furnishings, and extensive Arts and Crafts style gardens listed as Grade II. The National Trust owns the property and offers public access to the older parts of the house and the distinctive gardens set in themed 'rooms' with hedges, ponds, and an orchard.
Exhibition: Journeys - Asafo flags from the Karun Thakar collection at Dyrham Park
7 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
An exhibition at Dyrham Park presents Asafo flags from Karun Thakar’s collection, exploring textile craftsmanship, West African traditions and the global connections and colonial histories reflected in the house.
Near Dyrham Park
Dyrham Park is a Grade I listed baroque country house and extensive parkland in Gloucestershire, England, featuring historic interiors with Dutch art, 274 acres of gardens, an orangery, and a stable block now a tea room. It offers public access with events and has been a filming location for notable productions.
Walks & Talks tours
7 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
Join a volunteer-led walk along the historic route taken by the Hoare family and their guests, and hear about the history of Stourhead and its landscape garden. Tours last approximately 1 to 1.5 hours.
Drawn to Trees: Tree Zodiac exhibition
7 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
An outdoor exhibition of thirteen etchings by Luke Adam Hawker, inspired by an ancient Celtic zodiac that associates each lunar month with a tree or plant. Visitors can view the artworks and reflect on their stories and connections to the natural world.
3 miles from Alfred's Tower
Alfred's Tower is a 49-meter high folly tower located in Somerset, England, commemorating King Alfred the Great and historic events from the 9th century. It features a viewing platform accessible by spiral staircase and offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The tower is part of the National Trust and stands on the historic Stourhead Estate.
Autumn sensory garden trail
7 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
An autumn sensory trail in the garden at Dyrham Park, inviting visitors to explore seasonal sights, sounds and smells, including the Japanese maple and katsura tree.
Near Dyrham Park
Dyrham Park is a 17th century stately home with a fine baroque house, extensive ancient parkland, and beautifully maintained gardens featuring formal borders and a wildflower orchard. Visitors can explore the house's history and art collections, enjoy walking trails through the parkland, relax in the tea-room and café, and take part in family-friendly activities including a playground and guided walks.
Nether Stowey Village Walk | Walks Programme
11 Oct, 18 Oct…
A beginner guided walk around Nether Stowey explores the village associated with Samuel Taylor Coleridge, including his former home, St Mary’s Church and Castle Mount.
Near Coleridge Cottage
Coleridge Cottage is a 17th century historic cottage in Nether Stowey, Somerset, where poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge lived and wrote some of his famous works. Now a National Trust writer's home museum, it features period rooms, a garden with wildflowers, and serves as the starting point for the Coleridge Way walking trail.
Discover a Hidden Masterpiece: The Gilt Leather Hangings at Dunster Castle
7 Oct–1 Nov, 7–8 Nov…
Explore Dunster Castle’s refreshed display of seventeenth-century gilt leather hangings depicting Antony and Cleopatra. The display presents new research and examines the hangings’ craftsmanship and place in art and culture.
Near Dunster Butter Cross
The Butter Cross in Dunster is a historic 15th-century market cross, a Grade II* listed building and scheduled ancient monument, managed by English Heritage and the National Trust, offering visitors a glimpse into medieval market traditions in Somerset.
Dark skies festival - Astrophotography in the Doone Valley
17 Oct (next Saturday)
Join photographer Mark Johnson for an outdoor astrophotography session in the Doone Valley, learning to photograph the night sky and landscape. Participants should bring a camera and tripod; no previous experience is required.
Near Lorna Doone Valley
Lorna Doone Valley in Devon is a scenic outdoor destination famous for its connection to the novel Lorna Doone. Visitors can enjoy extensive walks, a family-friendly wild play area, wildlife spotting, and amenities like a tea-room and gallery. The site also offers camping and glamping in a tranquil dark sky reserve setting.
House of Discovery Exhibition at Dyffryn Gardens
7–10 Oct, 14–17 Oct…
An exhibition in the Morning Room of Dyffryn House explores the house’s history and the conservation and restoration work being carried out there.
Near Tinkinswood
Tinkinswood Burial Chamber is a Neolithic dolmen located in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales, notable for its massive stone capstone and historical significance as a communal burial site dating back to around 4000 BC. Visitors can explore the outdoor stone structure and nearby stone avenues associated with ancient burial practices.
An exhibition: The World in Bath - Georgian People of Colour at Bath Central Library
7–10 Oct, 12–17 Oct…
An exhibition at Bath Central Library exploring the lives and histories of people of colour who lived, worked and visited Georgian Bath. Visitors can view portraits and objects connected with people uncovered through the exhibition’s research.
Guided parkland walks
8–9 Oct, 12–16 Oct…
A volunteer guide leads a walk through Dyrham Park’s 270 acres of parkland, sharing information about the deer herd, the site’s history and archaeology, and how the parkland is managed.
Near Hamswell House
Hamswell House is a historic 16th-century house offering exclusive marquee weddings surrounded by 50 acres of gardens and private land with panoramic valley views, featuring wheelchair access and outdoor as well as indoor spaces.
Marvellous moths trail
3 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
Follow a garden trail at Stourhead to discover moth species, collect clues and build a fact file about these often-misunderstood insects.
3 miles from Bradley House
Bradley House is a traditional estate and family home of the Dukes of Somerset for over 300 years, featuring a stone house and ancient church in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, open to visitors by appointment only.
Behind-the-Ropes Tours (weekends)
10–11 Oct, 17–18 Oct…
A volunteer-guided tour takes visitors beyond the usual visitor ropes at Dunster Castle, exploring repurposed rooms, hidden areas and their history. The tour lasts about an hour.
Attic Tours (Weekends)
11 Oct, 18 Oct…
A guided tour of Dunster Castle’s attics explores hidden rooms and corridors and the daily lives of the servants who lived there.
Family Trail: Motte & Bailey Investigate the Case of the Cursed Castle
17 Oct–1 Nov
A Halloween-themed family trail at Dunster Castle, where participants follow clues and complete challenges to solve the mystery of the cursed castle servants. The trail includes a prize for solving the mystery.
Near Dunster Castle
Dunster Castle is a historic motte and bailey castle and 17th-century manor house in Somerset, featuring medieval gates, Victorian Gothic remodeling, and extensive gardens including a National Plant Collection. It offers both indoor and outdoor experiences as a National Trust property.
Autumn Book Fair
17 Oct (next Saturday)
Fyne Court’s Autumn Book Fair offers a selection of second-hand books and information about National Trust volunteering. Families can also take part in free paper crafts, including making bookmarks and paper pumpkins.
Near Fyne Court
Fyne Court is a National Trust nature reserve and visitor centre in Somerset, featuring historic estate grounds with woodland, ponds, meadows, and remnants of a 19th-century country house. Visitors can explore outdoor natural habitats as well as indoor visitor facilities including a café and shop.
Spirit of Autumn
17 Oct–8 Nov
A family autumn trail through the garden at Knightshayes explores how plants and animals prepare for winter. Visitors can take part in hands-on activities about wildlife behaviours such as storing food, migrating and hibernating.
Near Knightshayes Court
Knightshayes Court is a Victorian country house near Tiverton, Devon, known for its architecture by William Burges and extensive historic gardens. The Grade I listed house and Grade II* listed gardens offer a blend of indoor heritage and outdoor landscape experiences, including rare features like a stické court and a golfing memorabilia exhibition.
Autumn trail: Become a nature detective at Dyrham Park with 'There's No Deer Around Here'
7 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
Families can follow an outdoor nature trail around Dyrham Park, using a booklet inspired by the children's picture book to look for clues and signs of wildlife.
3 miles from Sir Bevil Grenville's Monument
Sir Bevil Grenville's Monument is an 18th-century historic monument located on Lansdown Hill near Bath, commemorating the Royalist commander Sir Bevil Grenville, who was mortally wounded in the 1643 Battle of Lansdowne during the English Civil War. The outdoor monument stands 25 feet tall, featuring inscriptions and heraldic symbols, and is a protected Grade II* listed and scheduled ancient monument.