National Trust and English Heritage

The National Trust is well represented in Somerset. There are several National Trust properties within an easy drive  of Stoberry, for example, Lytes Cary Manor is close by, and  Tintinhull Garden, Montacute House and Barrington Court are a nice group to visit in a day.  

To the North there is  Dyrham Park, and Tyntesfield  which is one of the places favoured by guests.  It is the latest acquisition and most probably one of its most expensive and is a spectacular Victorian Gothic House with gardens and parkland.  It is a grade1 listed building and  following the family’s rise and decline the National Trust saved Tyntesfield in 2002 and are bringing the house back to life. It has survived with its character and historic contents substantially intact. Guests have come back every year and enjoy seeing the progress of the restoration that is still taking place.

Stourhead to the South East of Stoberry is well worth a visit. A breath-taking 18 century landscaped garden with lakes walks grottos and classical temples set in 2650 acre estate at the source of the river Stour.  For me the garden is more of an arboretum than a typical English garden studied with English follies. Somewhere one should definitely visit. You can also visit the Palladium mansion with its library and art collection. King Arthur’s tower, a red brick folly, is a climb of 205 steps and provides magnificent vistas over Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire.