Whether you’re visiting hidden coves along the Cornish coast, roaming the rolling hills of Dorset or marvelling at the Regency elegance of the cities of Gloucestershire, there is so much to see and do on a holiday to the South West. And the sheer abundance of National Trust places to visit in South West England means there’s just as much variety if you’re looking for a day out.
Choose from historic homes where you can take a step back in time, visit breathtaking beaches that could pass as a Caribbean resort, or take a walk around secluded countryside with your beloved hound – the list is endless.
To help you find some inspiration for your next South West day out, we’ve picked some of our favourite National Trust places in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset and Gloucestershire - or for even more choice, discover our top National Trust places to visit in the UK.
We’ve also suggested one of our handpicked cottages to stay nearby – but for the full collection, just click the button below.
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Family-friendly National Trust places to visit in the South West
Lanhydrock, Cornwall
This magical Victorian mansion is a brilliant day out for the whole family. Wander around Lanhydrock’s 50 rooms and learn more about the upstairs/downstairs lives of the household. Or head outside to explore the vast grounds, with landscaped areas and wild woodland.
At this National Trust South West attraction, kids can follow the children’s trail through the grounds and blow off some steam on the adventure playground. Or you can all take to two wheels to explore the many cycle trails through the grounds – there’s something to suit every ability and even bike hire available too. Whatever you choose to do, it’s easy to spend a whole day enjoying the timeless charm of Lanhydrock. Discover more National Trust places to visit in Cornwall.
Don’t miss: See if you can find the Victorian swimming pool, now a habitat for wildlife.
Best conditions: Exploring the house is a great rainy day activity but visit on a dry day to make the most of the grounds.
Facilities: Parking, cafe, tearoom, restaurant, shop, second-hand bookshop, bike hire, baby changing facilities, accessible toilet.
Stay nearby: Heritage Cottage, Fowey | sleeps 6
Chedworth Roman Villa, Gloucestershire
Surrounded by rolling Cotswolds countryside, Chedworth Roman Villa dates back almost 2,000 years but lay undiscovered until the 19th century. Today you can visit to learn all about one of the grandest Roman villas in Britain – see the mosaic floors, learn about hypocaust systems and visit the bathhouse rooms. There is also a museum with Roman artefacts and plenty of grounds to roam.
Kids can get involved with all manner of hands-on activities, including children’s trails, tracker packs and games. Or visit during the school holidays to take part in craft activities. Make sure you pack a picnic – the grounds are the perfect setting for a peaceful lunch after some exploration!
Don’t miss: Seek out the fancy dress costumes in the Learning Pavilion to dress up like a Roman!
Best conditions: A dry day to explore the outdoor sites.
Facilities: Parking, cafe, baby-changing facilities, separate mobility parking and drop-off point, accessible toilets, one wheelchair to borrow – most of the indoor site is fully accessible.
Stay nearby: Emma’s Cottage, Chedworth | sleeps 4 + 1 dog
Saltram, Devon
On the outskirts of the thriving city of Plymouth, Saltram is a magnificent National Trust property in the South West that dates back to the 18th century and makes a brilliant place for some fresh country air. Inside, you can discover the house’s ornate decoration, including original Chinese wallpaper and 18th-century ceramics.
But the grounds are really where Saltram comes into its own. With incredible views over the Plym estuary, you can enjoy the tranquillity while your kids follow the garden trail, climb trees, build dens, knock on fairy doors and find the ‘castle’ – a summer house in a fairy-tale style. Even better – if your group includes a four-legged, waggy-tailed family member, they’re welcome in the grounds too. Discover even more of our favourite National Trust properties in Devon.
Don’t miss: The epic wooden adventure playground!
Best conditions: A dry day to really make the most of the grounds.
Facilities: Parking, tearoom, cafe, gift shop, baby-changing facilities, pushchairs for hire, mobility parking and drop-off point, adapted toilet, map of accessible grounds route, three wheelchairs available.
Stay nearby: Sunseekers Marina View, Plymouth | sleeps 4 + 1 dog
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Dog-friendly National Trust places to visit in the South West
Glastonbury Tor, Somerset
For a brilliant National Trust walk in the South West, make sure you visit Somerset's Glastonbury Tor. The iconic landmark stands proud over the town, with the ruins of the 15th-century tower visible from the top. The Tor is 158 metres above sea level, so it’s guaranteed to give you and the pup a good workout!
Aside from kissing gates to navigate at the start of the walk, the rest is pretty straightforward, with a waymarked concrete path to the very top. Once you’ve reached the peak, you can take in the tranquil atmosphere of this spiritual site which has links with Paganism. Sit on the grass and take a breather while admiring the 360-degree views from the top. Discover more wonderful National Trust places in Somerset.
Don’t miss: The view from the top of the Tor – you can see as far as Wales!
Best conditions: A dry and clear day.
Facilities: No National Trust parking – pay and display car park or take the Park & Ride from Glastonbury.
Stay nearby: Tor View Barn, Glastonbury | sleeps 4 + 1 dog
Trelissick credit: Instagram @badwolfhorizon
Trelissick, Cornwall
The incredible country house of Trelissick is sat on its own peninsula in the Fal Estuary, close to the Roseland Heritage Coast. While four-legged visitors aren’t allowed in the house itself, they do have the run of the huge estate and countryside surrounding it, so it’s a brilliant place for an unforgettable dog walk.
You can walk through ancient woodland, roam the open countryside or stroll along the river and estuary all the way down to the coast – the only limit is how much you want to exert yourself! And when you’re all walked out, return to the café courtyard where there’ll be a water bowl waiting for your pup.
Don’t miss: Feeling active? Join the weekly parkrun around the Trelissick estate – your dog is welcome to join in with this too!
Best conditions: A dry day for epic long walks with your dog.
Facilities: Parking, cafe, shop with plant and garden centre, second-hand bookshop, craft gallery, baby-changing facilities, mobility toilet.
Stay nearby: Trescore, Roseland | sleeps 5 + 2 dogs
Lydford Gorge, Devon
On the edge of Dartmoor National Park, you’ll find Lydford Gorge – ideal for planning a National Trust day out in the South West. It's the deepest river gorge in the South West and a great place to explore with your dog. The epic Lydford Gorge trail takes around two-and-a-half hours to complete and takes you up steep hills, along narrow paths and around the 30-metre Whitelady Waterfall. If this walk doesn’t tire your dog out, nothing will!
Lydford Gorge is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest so it’s home to an abundance of flora and fauna to make the walk even more scenic. When you’ve finished exploring, you can revive yourself in one of the two dog-friendly tearooms on site. Just come prepared with sturdy walking boots to tackle the challenging route and keep your dog on a close lead as there are understandably some steep drops!
Don’t miss: Stand over the Devil’s Cauldron pothole on a platform suspended over the water.
Best conditions: A dry day after heavy rainfall when the waterfall will be in full force!
Facilities: Parking, shop, two tearooms, baby changing and feeding facilities, back back-carriers to loan, children’s play area, mobility parking, accessible toilet, tramper available to hire.
Stay nearby: Vale House, Lydford | sleeps 12 + 2 dogs
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The best National Trust beaches in the South West
Knoll Beach, Dorset
The National Trust manages a 4-mile stretch of beach along the tranquil Studland Bay in Dorset, but Knoll Beach at the northern end is our favourite. A little further away from Studland and backed by a nature reserve, it retains a quiet and peaceful atmosphere perfect for a relaxing day out by the beach.
Relax on the soft sands fringed by dunes and enjoy views out to Old Harry Rocks and the Isle of Wight on a clear day. Or, if you’re feeling active, follow one of the designated trails through the dunes to discover the wildlife that call this beach home – including insects, birds and even deer.
Don’t miss: Warm up after a winter walk with a hot chocolate in the café, snuggled up next to the wood burner.
Best conditions: A sunny, still day.
Facilities: Parking from 9am to 5pm, toilets with baby-changing facilities, mobility toilets, cafe, shop. Naturist area at one section of the beach.
Stay nearby: Braeside, Studland | sleeps 8
South Milton Sands, Devon
A tranquil spot on South Devon’s balmy coastline, South Milton Sands is a real crowd-pleaser of a beach. Kids can paddle on the gently lapping shore, water sports enthusiasts can make the most of the shelter the bay provides and get in the sea, and nature lovers can explore the nearby wetland which is home to many migratory birds.
There are plenty of facilities too, meaning it’s easy to spend a whole day here as a family. However, if you want to explore further, the South West Coast Path runs close by to the beach and offers a picturesque route to Bantham in the north and Hope Cove in the south.
Don’t miss: Bring a net and bucket and see what creatures you can discover at low tide in the rock pools.
Best conditions: A dry, sunny day – but turn up early if you’re visiting in the summer season.
Facilities: Parking, beach cafe, water sports equipment for hire in season. Boardwalk ramps over the dunes to the beach, parking for blue badge holders, accessible toilets.
Stay nearby: West Delvers, Thurlstone | sleeps 4 + 2 dogs
Porthcurno, Cornwall
We can’t imagine a more quintessentially Cornish beach than Porthcurno. High cliffs speckled with pink sea thrift tower above a turquoise sea, where white waves crash onto jagged granite rocks before rolling onto the golden sand. And while it’s extremely popular with holidaymakers, we’d recommend visiting in the winter months – the beach takes on a wilder atmosphere and you’ll likely have the place almost to yourselves (and the dog ban is lifted too!)
The large expanse of sand makes this a perfect place for a family day out at the beach, but the walk down from the car park is steep so be prepared. As well as this, the car park fills up extremely quickly in the summer months so you might want to set an alarm and get down early to find a space!
Don’t miss: Take a walk up the cliff to the open-air Minack Theatre – the views from the top are incredible.
Best conditions: Visit on a windy winter day to capture the beach’s true wild essence.
Facilities: Pay and display parking, toilets in car park, cafe and pub in Porthcurno village, Porthcurno Telegraph Museum nearby.
Stay nearby: The Pottery, Land’s End | sleeps 2 + 2 dogs
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The best National Trust places to visit in the South West
Stay with us in the South West
If you’re planning a trip to the South West to explore these incredible National Trust places, take a look at our full collection of holiday cottages.
Whether you stay close to the sea in a traditional fisherman’s cottage, opt for a large country house for the whole group or stay close to the action in a contemporary city centre apartment, we provide the setting for an unforgettable holiday. View the full collection below.
All South West cottages