The county of Somerset has some of the best stately homes and stunning gardens in the South West of England and these are just a few that should be included on any group tour itinerary.
Barrington Court
Near Ilminster in Somerset is the partially derelict 16th C Court House, situated in the beautiful countryside. This Tudor manor house was saved from ruin by the Lyle family in the 1920s. Today Barrington Court is owned by the National Trust and it is without furniture, so you can wander freely around the atmospheric rooms. The gardens which were inspired by Gertrude Jekyll are delightful to stroll around, with fountains, vibrant colours and wonderful scents. The original kitchen garden supplies the restaurant and tea rooms.
The Bishop’s Palace and Wells Cathedral
This stunning medieval palace in the heart of Wells, England’s smallest city, has been home to the Bishops of Bath and Wells for over 800 years. Surrounded by a moat, visitors cross a flagstone drawbridge and discover a true hidden gem in the City of Wells. From the ramparts there are unmissable spectacular views, including those of the Mendips, Glastonbury Tor and the Cathedral. The Palace is set in 5.6 hectares of stunning, tranquil gardens and include the Wells Garden from which the city gets its name. The Gardens are a partner garden to the RHS, this award is given to gardens ‘of outstanding and exceptionally high standards of planting and design.’
As well as the Bishop’s Palace, Wells is home to a beautiful Gothic Cathedral and Vicars’ Close which is considered to be the oldest residential Medieval Street still intact in England if not Europe.
Forde Abbey House and Gardens
Forde Abbey is a privately-owned Cistercian monastery near Chard, Somerset. With almost 900 years of history it is the home of the Kennard family. The house and gardens are both open to the public. This beautiful house is set in over 12 hectares of award winning gardens, with topiary, colourful herbaceous borders, an arboretum, a bog garden and the highest-powered fountain in the country, the iconic Centenary Fountain.
Forde Abbey has been used as a film location for period dramas such as Wolf Hall, Far From the Madding Crowd and also used in adaptations of Rosamunde Pilcher novels by German film crews.
If you’re developing a group tour across the South West of England for 2027, get in touch with Cornwall DMC and we’ll build a sample itinerary around this brief.
