National Trust

Top five Devon Christmas markets

Our top five Christmas markets and festivals in Devon. Perfect for getting started on finding ideas and gifts for the big day.

Things to do Hannah Denby

October events in Dorset

Check out the autumnal festivals and events in Dorset this October. There are plenty of exhibitions and activities to keep you busy.

Things to do Hannah Denby

August events in Somerset

Holidays in Somerset have even more appeal when you get under the skin of local communities and eke out all the events going on throughout the county this August. Fun fairs and train rides, secret gardens and outdoor activities, there’s fun for all the family including the four-legged variety.

Things to do Katie Chown

Family day at Stourhead Gardens

A family day out to Stourhead, exploring the gardens, having a picnic and generally having a magical adventure.

Visitors' Book Emma L

Dorset Gardens

We've compiled a list of the four best places to visit in Dorset in the spring. Of course these are some of the finest gardens you'll ever see...

Places to Go Becky Bye

Things to do at Easter

New-fangled ideas and old school fun for Easter in the South and West.

Things to do Katie Chown

Top four Somerset Christmas markets

Soak up everything Somerset has to offer in the festive season with our top pick of Christmas markets and fairs from across the county.

Things to do Kayleigh Hardy

Ghost hunting haunted places in south Devon

Do you like to visit a place with a spooky story? Do you dare visit my list of most haunted Devon places with a ghostly connection? Don't just wait for Halloween at half term, Devon ghost hunts can be enjoyed year-round.

Places to Go Philip Eley

Things to do in Dartmouth

Take a wander around Dartmouth, one of the many gems on the coast of south Devon. With a colourful Maritime history, there's plenty to discover here.

Things to do Philip Eley

Things to do in Tolpuddle

This ancient Dorset town is so tranquil and laid back, R&R is practically guaranteed so you can kick back and zone out. But if you like to occupy your time away, there are plenty of things to do in Tolpuddle.

Things to do Katie Chown

Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival

It’s loud, it’s colourful, it’s got moral values at its core. It’s everything a good festival should be. Make sure to book a holiday in Dorset in July.

Things to do Katie Chown

Stonehenge

Learn Stonehenge facts by visiting Stonehenge Visitor Centre and marvel in the ancient history of the English landscape.

Places to Go Becky Bye

Devon gardens

Take a stroll around these classic country gardens in Devon. Ideal for enjoying a sunny day at any time of year.

Places to Go Kayleigh Hardy

A family day out at Agatha Christie's Greenway

Greenway was the beloved holiday home of Agatha Christie and, although my children are old enough to have heard of her, they’ve never read any of her stories. So, to keep their interest up on a visit to her property we play a game of...

Places to Go Philip Eley

Visit Cornwall for Lanhydrock house

Peering into boudoirs, opening a door onto a dusty attic and living vicariously through the photos, furniture and keepsakes of others, from another time and another class, is unashamedly fascinating.

Places to Go Rachel Wilson-Couch

Top ten Autumn walks in Somerset

As the colder months draw in, and golden and red hues fill the trees then empty over the paths as we head through winter, there’s nothing quite like gathering the family for a stroll through the countryside. Embrace the fresh air, wrap up warm and soak in the beauty of Somerset on these ten autumn walks.

Places to Go Kylie Barton

Things to do in Tiverton

You can explore the whole of Devon from Tiverton, visit the contrasting coastlines of north and south Devon, as well as seeing the two varied moorlands of Dartmoor and Exmoor, so there are lots of things to do.

Things to do Philip Eley

Why did Queen Victoria love the Isle of Wight?

In honour of the release of Victoria and Abdul, a silver screen epic telling the story of the Queen and her Indian companion, Abdul Karim, we discover why Queen Victoria loved the Isle of Wight so much.

Stories & Characters Kayleigh Hardy

Things to do in Wareham

Wareham is a beautiful old town with literary connections and a great place to stop to break up a long journey, or spend a few days if you are heading down towards the coast.

Things to do Becky Bye

Food vans of Cornwall

Peckish? Stuck in the beautiful wilderness of Cornwall? Don’t panic. There may be a fantastic food truck just around the corner. 

Classic Fodder Kayleigh Hardy

Things to do in Beaminster

Dorset walks, places to eat and things to see and do in the unassuming but very pretty little market town of Beaminster, north of Bridport. It's worth a quick visit when you're on holiday in Dorset.

Things to do Katie Chown

Things to do in Dawlish

Dawlish is a seaside town in south east Devon with a gentle air of sophistication yet still a great place for traditional bucket and spade holidays. With both Dawlish and Dawlish Warren full of ideas for a fun break, here is my guide of things to do in Dawlish.

Things to do Philip Eley

History lover's guide to the Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight may be a small island, but there is certainly a lot of history present there, with numerous historic sites of interest to visit. I'll walk you through the most impressive of those sites:

Places to Go Kylie Barton

Best little villages near Bath

Bath is a beautiful place, but it can get very busy. One of the best things about Bath is that on its outskirts it is flanked with a number of beautiful small towns and villages.

Places to Go Kylie Barton

Things to do in Plymouth

Plymouth describes itself as Britain’s Ocean City. It is a vibrant, modern city with plenty of attractions and historic buildings, places to visit, things to do and see and lots of foody destinations.

Things to do Philip Eley

Places to picnic around Somerset

Look no further than the amazing picnicking backdrop of the South. From Dorset to Wiltshire and Somerset to Hampshire, English Heritage and National Trust places to picnic which boast the most beautiful gardens and have their gates open wide for families and dogs.

Classic Fodder Becky Bye

Things to do in Wimborne Minster

Little known Dorset town Wimborne Minster has a lot of activities to offer, whether you are after a family day out, or a quiet relaxing weekend for two.

Things to do Becky Bye

Things to do in Dorchester

For anyone who is a bit of a history buff and likes a bite of traditional English lunch, then Dorchester is a much needed mark on your Dorset map.

Things to do Becky Bye

Things to do in Bodmin

One of the oldest towns in Cornwall, Bodmin is truly steeped in history yet has many modern conveniences to make life easy.

Things to do Abby D

Colourful autumn walks in Dorset

Dorset and Wiltshire have an impressive array of autumn colours to tempt you to wrap up in your warmest layers and head out with the dog to earn a nice hot toddy.

Visitors' Book Becky Bye

Things to do in Penzance

Relax and take it easy on your Cornwall cottage holiday with a lungful of salty sea air on the Penzance promenade or an adventure through the shopping arcades filled with Cornish treasures.

Things to do Kayleigh Hardy

Trerice by Candlelight - ghost hunting in Cornwall

I had never visited a stately home by candlelight before. So when I noticed that Trerice House in Cornwall was one of a handful of National Trust properties which organised night time ghost walks I was truly excited by the idea.

Visitors' Book Philip Eley

Best 3 National Trust properties in Devon

There are many great National Trust places to visit in Devon and I go regularly with my three children aged 5, 7 and 9. This is a list of our personal favourites and a quick explanation of why we love them.

Places to Go Philip Eley

Slipping back in time at Corfe Castle

Despite being prolific sightseers, my family and I have discovered few views as awe-inspiring in the UK as our first glimpse of Corfe Castle.

Places to Go Philip Eley

St Michael's Mount day trip

You really wonder at the enterprise and sheer foolishness of building a stately home on a huge chuck of rock 500 meters out to sea

Places to Go Philip Eley

Discovering Saltram House, Plymouth

The house itself is impressive with fantastic period furnishings and beautifully decorated rooms, but the grounds are the star of the show.

Visitors' Book Philip Eley

Winter walks in Dorset

Dorset has some of the finest countryside that the nation has to offer, including some absolutely breath-taking views. For beauty, views, and for a certain special something, here are some top winter walks around Dorset as the cold weather closes in around us.

Places to Go Becky Bye

Den building at Coleton Fishacre

Coleton Fishacre is a hidden gem. It’s been one of my family’s top ten favourite day’s out for years and it’s just got a whole lot better...

Things to do Philip Eley

Classic Cornish Beach Clean

A random assortment of rubbish - the things you find! Not to mention the boss in a pinny...

News & Offers Katie Chown

Lanhydrock Cycling

I was headed to the new cycling mecca: Lanhydrock - where there would be no cars, only trees, the rumour of cake and other lycra-clad illuminous beings.

Things to do Rachel Wilson-Couch

The Best Secret Beaches in Cornwall

If you’re looking for somewhere a little more romantic and peaceful, there are plenty of lesser-known beaches where you couples can bag your own patch of pearly sands.

Places to Go Hayley Spurway

A shipwreck adventure on the coast of north Cornwall

‘From Pentire Point to Hartland light, a watery grave by day and night’, so goes the local saying. It’s one of the UK’s most notorious stretches of coastline for shipwrecks...ripe for adventure.

Visitors' Book Ali Ray

Christmas ideas for all the family

Here’s a fistful of Christmassey ideas for all the family to enjoy - events, lights, markets and much more in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset.

Things to do Liz C

The Magic of Mount's Bay

Not just for those with a Bus Pass... this journey is best taken on an open top bus!

Visitors' Book Maz C