Somerset is a historic and scenic county in South West England, known for its heritage cities, natural landscapes, and cultural festivals like Glastonbury.
Ewenni Priory is a historic Norman Romanesque religious settlement featuring robust defensive walls and gates, still serving as a local parish church. Visitors can explore both indoor church areas and outdoor fortifications with accessible paths.
Clarks Village is a popular outlet shopping village in Street, Somerset, offering a variety of high street and designer shops, eateries, and family-friendly events within a historic factory site.
Clevedon Court is a historic 14th-century manor house in North Somerset, managed by the National Trust, featuring medieval architecture, extensive terraced gardens, and a collection of family heirlooms and Eltonware pottery. The house and gardens offer both indoor and outdoor visitor experiences and showcase the heritage of the Elton family.
Noah's Ark Zoo Farm in Wraxall, Somerset is a 100-acre zoo and working farm featuring the largest elephant facility in northern Europe, a diverse collection of animals including African and Asian species, extensive outdoor exhibits, indoor play and educational areas, a long hedge maze, and active conservation programmes. It offers food services and family-friendly activities in a mixed indoor and outdoor setting.
13 Oct, 10 Nov
A monthly book club at Tyntesfield where members discuss books chosen by the group. The two-hour meetings are led by Bookshop volunteers and include a break for refreshments.
Muchelney Abbey is a historic English Heritage site featuring the ruins of a medieval Benedictine abbey and an intact Tudor Abbot's House, set on the island-like Somerset Levels. Visitors can explore foundational ruins outdoors and the architectural interiors of the Abbot's House indoors, experiencing a significant religious and architectural heritage spanning from the 7th to 16th centuries.
Watersmeet House is a National Trust property in Devon featuring a historic fishing lodge with a tea room and shop, nestled at a river gorge confluence and serving as a gateway to extensive woodland and riverside walks. The site includes a notable area of ancient oak woodland designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
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.
14 Oct (next Wednesday)
Join a guided walk through Dyrham village as it was in 1704, and learn about its links to the estate and the lives of its villagers.
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.
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.
The Bath Assembly Rooms is a Grade I listed Georgian building in Bath, England, featuring the largest Georgian ballroom in the city, decorated with fine art and chandeliers. It historically served as the social hub for balls and concerts and is now a National Trust visitor attraction used for exhibitions, concerts, and filming.
9 Oct
Dr Tim Manningmore gives a talk exploring the history of People of Colour in Bath, from the Georgian period to the Ethiopian Royal family’s move to Fairfield House.
The Tribunal is a Grade I listed 15th-century merchant's house in Glastonbury, now housing the Glastonbury Museum, which displays artefacts from the town and the nearby Iron Age Glastonbury Lake Village. Visitors can explore historical architecture and significant archaeological collections indoors.
Cheddar Gorge is a striking limestone canyon in Somerset featuring impressive cliffs, prehistoric caves open to the public, diverse wildlife, and various outdoor activities including climbing and scenic walks. The site offers visitor facilities such as a centre and restaurant, blending natural wonder with accessible tourism.
Sherborne Castle is a historic 16th-century Tudor mansion set within 1200 acres of Capability Brown-designed gardens in Dorset, with ruins of a 12th-century castle on the grounds. Visitors can explore both the partly open mansion and extensive outdoor gardens, with special events throughout the year.
Sherborne is a historic market town in Dorset, England, featuring notable medieval and Georgian architecture, ancient castles, abbey, and vibrant cultural events, making it a charming destination for visitors.
Tyntesfield is a richly detailed Victorian Gothic Revival country house and estate near Wraxall, North Somerset, England. A Grade I listed building, it offers visitors grand interiors, extensive gardens, a historic chapel, and a working farm visitor centre with activities for children. Owned and managed by the National Trust, it hosts tours of the house and grounds, a café, and various heritage exhibits.
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.
Priest's House in Muchelney is a Grade I listed historic stone house built in the early 14th century for the parish priest. Owned by the National Trust, it showcases original medieval architecture including Gothic doorways and a 15th-century fireplace, with limited public access.
Tropiquaria Zoo in Somerset is a small zoo and tropical house located in a historic Grade II listed former BBC transmitting station. It features a tropical hall, aquarium with rare fish, and outdoor animal enclosures, along with play areas and a café, offering a diverse wildlife experience for families.
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.
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.
Dyffryn Gardens is a National Trust-managed historic Edwardian botanical garden and arboretum in Wales featuring extensive themed outdoor gardens, a grand Edwardian manor house open for tours, and a variety of plant collections and sculptures. The gardens combine formal and themed outdoor garden rooms with impressive lawn and water features, and visitors can explore both the natural and architectural heritage of the site.
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.
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.
8 Oct, 15 Oct…
A volunteer-led tour through the rooms of Coleridge Cottage explores the women who influenced Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s life and writing, including Sara Fricker and Dorothy Wordsworth.
Westbury College Gatehouse is a 15th-century historic gatehouse in Bristol, originally part of a college of priests, now managed by Holy Trinity Church and serving as a local meeting place with youth group activities.
Queens Arcade is a Victorian-style shopping centre in Cardiff city centre offering a range of retail shops including New Look and Argos, with two sloped floors and indoor shopping.
Cabot Circus is a large covered shopping centre in Bristol featuring over 130 shops, department stores, a car park, restaurants, and a cinema, offering an indoor retail and leisure experience in the city centre.
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.
King John's Hunting Lodge is a timber-framed historic wool-merchant's house in Axbridge, Somerset, now operated as a local museum by the National Trust. The museum showcases exhibits on local history, geology, and archaeology from the Neolithic period to World War II within a restored medieval building.
Axbridge is a historic market town in Somerset known for its Tudor heritage, historic buildings, and vibrant local events including an annual historical pageant, community cinema, and farmers market.
Stoke sub Hamdon Priory is a historic 14th-century chantry college complex in Somerset featuring a Grade I listed great hall, medieval architecture, and ruins of outbuildings. Owned by the National Trust, it offers visitors a glimpse into medieval religious and farming life with indoor historic buildings and outdoor heritage site elements.
St David's is a major indoor shopping centre in Cardiff, Wales with over 200 stores, restaurants, and a new Central Library, featuring extensive retail space and apartments above the centre.
Montacute House is a late Elizabethan mansion in Somerset, England, known for its exceptional Renaissance architecture and the longest surviving Long Gallery in England. The venue offers both indoor experiences in its historic rooms and exhibitions, and outdoor experiences with its Grade I listed gardens and extensive parkland. It hosts historical portraits in partnership with the National Portrait Gallery and has served as a filming location for films and TV dramas.
Westwood Manor is a Grade I listed 15th-century manor house in Wiltshire, featuring historic interiors with fine furniture, musical instruments, tapestries, and beautifully restored gardens, open to the public during summer days.
11 Oct, 24 Oct
An early-morning silent walking disco at Prior Park, with attendees invited to sing, dance and walk around the lakes and across the Palladian bridge.
Fiddleford Manor is a medieval manor house in Dorset dating back to around 1370, featuring original interiors and restored by English Heritage, open to public visits throughout the year.
Treasurer's House in Martock, Somerset, is a Grade I listed medieval house dating from the 13th century and owned by the National Trust. It features historic architecture including a great hall with a timber roof and medieval wall paintings, offering visitors an indoor historical experience.
Dunster Working Watermill is a restored 18th century watermill in Dunster, Somerset, featuring working overshot wheels to grind organic flour, set within the grounds of Dunster Castle. Visitors can explore the historic mill machinery indoors and enjoy the surrounding outdoor area including the castle grounds and a cafe.
8–9 Oct, 15–16 Oct…
A guided tour takes visitors through Dunster Castle’s Victorian kitchen and larders, exploring the work and stories of the cooks, maids and other staff who kept the castle running.
The Galleries is a three-storey shopping mall in Bristol city centre, featuring numerous stores, a food court, and extensive parking, with plans for a future mixed-use redevelopment.
The Abbot's Fish House is a 14th century Grade I listed Gothic building in Meare, Somerset, notable as the only surviving monastic fishery building in England. It was used for storing and preparing fish and as a residence for the chief fisherman of Glastonbury Abbey. Now cared for by English Heritage, it offers visitors a unique glimpse into medieval monastic industry and architecture.
Brean Leisure Park is a long-established amusement park in Brean, Somerset, offering a variety of thrill rides, family attractions, and an indoor/outdoor waterpark. It features rollercoasters, a water splash zone, and hosts concerts, providing entertainment for all ages from March to November each year.
Barrington Court is a Tudor manor house in Somerset, combining historic architecture with Arts and Crafts-style gardens originally designed by Gertrude Jekyll. Visitors can explore the historic house, converted stable buildings, and extensive ornamental gardens including a kitchen garden supplying the onsite restaurant.
10–11 Oct (this weekend)
Visitors can join the Ranger team to collect apples from Barrington Court’s orchards, which contain more than 100 varieties. The harvest activity takes place across the first two weekends of October.
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.
8 Oct, 13 Oct…
These gentle, volunteer-led wellbeing walks at Stourhead cover 1.5–2 miles and take about two hours. Walkers can enjoy the surroundings, meet others and connect with nature.
Cleeve Abbey is a medieval Cistercian monastery in Somerset featuring some of the best-preserved monastic buildings in England, including cloisters, a refectory with a wooden vaulted ceiling, medieval tiled floors, and historic wall paintings, open to public visits under English Heritage.
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.
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.
6 Oct, 13 Oct…
Toddler Tuesdays is a term-time session for under-fives and their carers, with nature play, stories, crafts and gentle walks.
Tintinhull House and Garden is a Grade I listed 17th century house with a 20th century garden in South Somerset, owned by the National Trust, offering historic interiors, artistic paintings, and extensive garden rooms styled after Hidcote Manor.
Temple Church in Bristol is a historic ruined church originally built by the Knights Templar in the 12th century, later rebuilt and heavily damaged during World War II. The site features a leaning tower and outlines of the original circular church, and is now preserved as an open ruin managed by English Heritage, offering a unique outdoor historical experience.
Holnicote Estate is a historic country estate in Somerset within Exmoor National Park featuring extensive natural landscapes, historic villages, walking trails, and a hotel-operated hunting lodge. The estate includes notable hills such as Dunkery Hill and Selworthy Beacon, ancient monuments, and a National Trust-managed nature reserve.
Farleigh Hungerford Castle is a medieval quadrangular castle ruin located in Somerset, England, featuring a decorated chapel with notable medieval murals and an archaeological collection of lead coffins. The site offers visitors a blend of historic ruins and detailed heritage managed by English Heritage. It tells the story of the Hungerford family and their significance through English history.
Stembridge Tower Mill in Somerset is the last thatched windmill in England, built in 1822. It features four floors, retains historic millstones, and is a Grade II* listed building managed by the National Trust, offering visitors a glimpse into historic milling indoors.