Montacute House was built in the late 16th century for Sir Edward Phelips. There are many Renaissance features and the Long Gallery, the longest of its kind in England, displays more than 60 of the finest Tudor and Elizabethan portraits from the National Portrait Gallery collection. The state rooms display a fine range of period furniture and textiles, including samplers from the Goodhart collection. Montacute's formal gardens are perfect for a stroll and include a collection of roses, mixed borders and famous wobbly hedges. Waymarked walks lead around the wider estate, which encompasses St Michael's Hill.


This afternoon we visit Tintinhull Garden with its tranquil oasis of small pools, secluded lawns and beautiful borders, a particularly fine azalea garden and fountain garden. The small mansion at Tintinhull was originally an unassuming Somerset farmhouse dating from about 1600. The 20th century garden which is perfectly in scale with the proportions of the house, was first developed by Dr Price, a distinguished botanist who acquired the property in 1900.


National Trust Members £28.00