Somerset is a historic and scenic county in South West England, known for its heritage cities, natural landscapes, and cultural festivals like Glastonbury.
Stoney Littleton Long Barrow is a well-preserved Neolithic chambered tomb near Wellow in Somerset, featuring multiple burial chambers inside a long stone mound, notable for its alignment with the midwinter sunrise and managed by English Heritage for public access.
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.
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.
Crook Peak to Shute Shelve Hill is a National Trust owned Site of Special Scientific Interest providing extensive outdoor natural landscapes including ancient woodland, calcareous grasslands, rare plant species, and important geological features such as caves with prehistoric fossils. Visitors can explore long-distance footpaths, enjoy scenic hill views, and visit historic sites related to early human occupation and model aircraft flying activities.
Leigh Woods is a 2 km² national nature reserve near Bristol, featuring ancient woodland, rare plant species, and historic sites like the Stokeleigh Camp hillfort. It offers outdoor activities including walking, rock climbing, and mountain biking in a protected natural environment.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Brean Down is a limestone promontory in Somerset, England, extending into the Bristol Channel and offering rich natural, historical, and archaeological interests including fossils, ancient temple remains, and a Victorian fort. It is a notable wildlife habitat and a National Trust property open to the public.
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.
Ebbor Gorge is a limestone canyon in Somerset renowned for its geological formations, Neolithic and Bronze Age artifacts, rich biodiversity including rare butterflies and bats, and scenic trails managed as a national nature reserve by Natural England.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Nunney Castle is a medieval moated castle ruin in Somerset, England, notable for its 14th-century tower-keep and unique architectural style influenced by French designs. It was damaged in the English Civil War and is now managed by English Heritage as a historic tourist attraction.
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.
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.
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.
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.
West Pennard Court Barn is a historic 15th century tithe barn built for Glastonbury Abbey, notable for its timber-framed roof and medieval architectural details, preserved and managed by the National Trust as a cultural heritage site.
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.
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.
Glastonbury Tor is a prominent hill in Somerset, England, topped by the roofless tower of St Michael's Church. It features mysterious terraced slopes and is steeped in history, mythology, and spirituality, including links to King Arthur and the island of Avalon. The site is managed by the National Trust and is a notable landmark visible for miles around.
Glastonbury is a historic market town in Somerset known for its ancient abbey, Arthurian legends, New Age spiritual community, and proximity to the world-famous Glastonbury Festival site. Visitors can explore historic religious sites, cultural museums, and scenic landscapes.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sand Point and Middle Hope in Somerset are known for their geological formations, rare flora, and archaeological features, including ancient barrows and a possible castle mound. The area is owned by the National Trust and offers extensive walking opportunities with scenic views of the Bristol Channel and surrounding regions.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
St Quintins Castle is a ruined medieval castle in Llanblethian, Wales, featuring substantial stone gatehouse remains and defensive walls, situated on a steep spur overlooking the River Thaw. It is an outdoor historic site managed by Cadw, open to the public for free exploration of its significant medieval fortifications and ruins.
Cowbridge is a historic market town in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales, known for its medieval layout, Roman heritage, and cultural festivals including music and food events.
Coney Beach Pleasure Park was a historic seaside amusement park in Porthcawl, Wales, featuring over 25 rides including roller coasters and water rides, operating seasonally from 1918 until permanent closure in 2025. It offered traditional and modern amusement experiences on its outdoor site by the beach promenade.
Ogmore Castle is a Grade I listed Norman castle ruin in Vale of Glamorgan, Wales, featuring the oldest Norman keep in the region, historic earthworks, and a scenic riverside location by the Ewenny and Ogmore rivers. The site offers free public access to explore its substantial remains and nearby stepping stones across the river.
Porthcawl is a seaside town in south Wales known for its sandy beaches, historic sites like Kenfig Castle, lively promenade, cultural festivals, and outdoor sports including surfing and golf.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Little Solsbury Hill is an Iron Age hillfort located in Somerset, offering panoramic views over Bath and the Avon River. The site features archaeological remains including stone ramparts and medieval field systems, situated within the scenic Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and managed by the National Trust.
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.
Dolebury Warren is an Iron Age hillfort and biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in North Somerset, featuring ancient earthworks and diverse natural habitats managed by the National Trust and Avon Wildlife Trust. It offers outdoor exploration of historic ramparts and rich wildlife on a limestone ridge in the Mendip Hills.
Burrow Mump is a historic hill in Somerset featuring the ruins of a 15th-century church atop a Norman motte, offering visitors panoramic views and a significant war memorial managed by the National Trust.
Prior Park Landscape Garden is a historically significant English landscape garden near Bath, designed by Alexander Pope and Capability Brown, featuring iconic structures like a Palladian bridge and Gothic temple, set in a steep valley with lakes and restored grounds open to the public.
10 Oct (this Saturday)
An outdoor yoga class held beside the lake and bridge at Prior Park Landscape Garden. Attendees should bring a yoga mat and blanket if they have them.
Cadbury Camp is an Iron Age hill fort located in Somerset, England, featuring ancient earthworks and ditches on a natural ridge. It is historically significant and managed by the National Trust with ongoing conservation efforts to preserve its natural and archaeological features.
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.
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.
Stanton Drew stone circles are one of Britain's largest Neolithic henge monuments featuring multiple stone circles, historic geophysical surveys, and ancient features including The Cove. It is an outdoor archaeological site rich in history, local myths, and accessible freely to the public near Somerset village.
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.
Old Beaupre Castle is a Grade I listed ruined medieval fortified manor house in Llanfair, Wales, featuring a notable Renaissance porch and three courts, set within historic landscaped gardens. Visitors can explore the outdoor ruins and grounds free of charge all year round.
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.
Brean Down Fort is a 19th-century military fortification located on a headland in Somerset, England, known for its historical coastal defense role, Bronze Age archaeological finds, and WWII experimental weapons testing. It is owned by the National Trust and open to the public.
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.
Diggerland is a chain of theme parks in England and the USA where visitors can operate heavy construction machinery such as diggers and JCBs, offering a unique outdoor family-friendly experience with various rides and activities.
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.
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.
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.
The Wellington Monument is a 175-foot tall triangular obelisk located on the Blackdown Hills near Wellington, Somerset. It commemorates the Duke of Wellington's victory at the Battle of Waterloo and offers an outdoor historic landmark experience with an internal viewing platform. Owned and maintained by the National Trust, the monument was restored and reopened in 2021.
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.
Walton and Ivythorn Hills are a National Trust managed biological site of special scientific interest in Somerset featuring limestone hills, calcareous grasslands, historic buildings, and walking trails including the Polden Way.
St Lythans Chambered Tomb is a free-to-visit Neolithic burial site near Cardiff featuring a massive exposed stone capstone and links to Arthurian legend. Visitors explore the outdoor historic site open year-round during daylight hours.
Gallox Bridge is a 15th century narrow stone packhorse bridge in Dunster, Somerset, crossing the River Avill. It is a Grade I listed building and scheduled monument, managed by English Heritage, and notable for its historic architecture and rural setting near Dunster Castle.
5 Oct, 12 Oct…
Visitors take a guided tour beyond the usual visitor route at Dunster Castle, exploring repurposed spaces and learning about their history and the castle’s inner workings.
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.