Things to do at Fyne Court

Family exploring Fyne Court | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

Home to the Crosse family for over 300 years, Fyne Court is now a haven for wildlife, with half-hidden clues to its past life as an Arcadian garden. Travel further afield to explore the Quantock Hills, with countryside walks and captivating views.

Walks around Fyne Court

There's woodland and wildlife to be discovered on one of three waymarked walks around Fyne Court. Enjoy the tranquillity of the meadows or conquer the outdoors as you explore the pink play trail.

Lean back and enjoy your surroundings at the sky glade – watch the clouds go by and listen to the birdsong.

Trails to follow

Head to the courtyard to begin your visit, as this is the starting point for all the trails and where you will find the café, toilets and snug.

You could then take a look in the walled garden, where exotic fruits were once grown in the hothouses and vegetables planted in the beds. It's now planted with wild flowers and buzzing with bees and butterflies in summer.

Two visitors lean on a gate on a summer's day at Fyne Court, Somerset — Exploring the grounds at Fyne Court | © National Trust Images / John Millar

Walk to the boathouse

A walk through the grounds will take you to the boathouse, which once stood at the top of the serpentine lake and shows a glimpse of Fyne Court's former grandeur.

The folly you will see was used as dog kennels in the 1900s. It is currently being restored to its former glory.

Fyne Court's house

The house at Fyne Court burnt down in a dramatic fire in 1894. While a few of the buildings remain, the majority of the house was lost. Visit the cobbled courtyard area to see where the house once stood.

Family fun

Looking for some fresh-air fun? There are plenty of dens to be built, mud to walk barefoot in and snails to race. There are lots of fun things to do and tick off at Fyne Court on your '50 things to do before you're 11¾' adventure.

Explore the Quantock Hills

The Quantock Hills in Somerset are wonderful for walking, biking and horse riding, and enjoying captivating views of the Bristol Channel, Wales, the Mendip and Blackdown Hills, Exmoor and the Somerset Levels.

View across fields from Beacon Hill at Staple Plan, Somerset — View from Beacon Hill at Staple Plain | © National Trust Images / Lis Ford

The Quantock Common

Parts of the Quantock Common are cared for by the National Trust, which is a mosaic of heathland hill tops and valley woodlands. Long Stone Hill lies at the north-east end of the Quantock Hills.

It's an area of outstanding natural beauty, rising from the village of Holford. Take in fantastic views across the hills and look out for red deer on the adjacent hill tops, and the ancient oak pollards in Willoughby Cleeve.

Broomfield Hill

Broomfield Hill is a gently sloping, open, round-topped hill at the southern end of the Quantocks, and very near to Fyne Court. You can sometimes see Highland cattle and their teddy bear-like calves grazing here.

Beacon Hill and Bicknoller Hill

Beacon Hill and Bicknoller Hill are both fantastic walking spots in the north-west corner of the Quantocks, above the village of West Quantoxhead.

Look out for Trendle Ring, an Iron Age hillfort on Bicknoller Hill. Both hills are great places to hear the nightjar, a nocturnal bird, on a balmy summer evening.