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Building a VisionThe 18th-century landscape garden at Hestercombe, near Taunton, has gradually been restored over the last decade, being transformed from an overgrown wooded wilderness into as close to the original as might be possible. What Philip White, the powerhouse behind the restoration and now head of the Hestercombe Gardens Trust, wants to achieve ultimately is not just a physical restoration but also an emotional experience for visitors. The latest developments at Hestercombe Gardens take us one step closer to being able to experience the true spirit of the original 18th-century landscape. READ MORE »  OTHER ARTICLES
Gold for Horses, Green for GardeningWith £4 million in winnings last year, National Hunt trainer Paul Nicholls certainly has the magic touch. But it’s not only horses that seem to blossom under his care – plants do too. From a young age Paul has had green fingers. Following a successful early career as a jockey, he turned trainer, starting at Manor Farm, near Shepton Mallet, in 1991. Initially there was no garden to speak of at either of the two yards forming part of the set-up, but, despite being immersed in a frantically busy working life, it was one of the areas he was keen to develop. READ MORE » 
Somerset’s Garden RouteI’ve always regarded train spotters as rather wanting in other excitement. However, there is one train journey that has turned me into something of a spotter myself! It is not, however, the engine numbers I am after; my quest (surprise, surprise) is of a botanical nature. This June, discover that the West Somerset Railway is more than just a train ride. It’s a great trip for garden and nature enthusiasts too. READ MORE » 
The Butterfly EffectOnce we get into April there is a good chance of seeing half a dozen species of butterfly, and most of these have one thing in common, they will have spent the winter in hibernation and emerged as adults. The peacock, painted lady, brimstone and small tortoiseshell butterflies are all species that habitually over-winter as adults, and may be seen on the wing in early spring, but the earliest species of the year to develop from a pupa is the orange-tip butterfly. READ MORE » 
Love Is in the Air…As spring approaches, the RSPB suggests ways to give birds a place in which to pair up and raise young in your own garden. After all, the fact that more than 60 species of bird are known to have used nest boxes seems more than a good enough reason to put one up in your garden. Of course, you probably know which birds are visiting you and which might be likely to make use of a nest box, but that doesn’t stop a bit of a fantasy moment – imagining that a pied or spotted flycatcher might drop in to breed! READ MORE » 
The Nation’s FavouriteThe robin is one of our most enthusiastic garden birds and one with which we must all be familiar. Its habit of following us wherever we dig, looking for grubs, is particularly appealing and has led to its strong association with gardeners, and the archetypal image of a robin perched on a spade or garden tap. There is no doubt that its association with people led to the robin being chosen as our national bird back in 1960. Even though robins are familiar to us all, they lead interesting lives with some less well-known traits of behaviour. READ MORE » 
Fancy FungiSnowy, scarlet, parrot and ballerina – this is not the cast of the newest Disney cartoon, but the names of some of the UK’s most colourful fungi, the waxcaps. This October the National Trust is launching Waxcap Watch, a public survey to track down and learn more about this beautiful world right beneath our feet. READ MORE » 
| Meadow BeautyIf you were to put a brush into a child’s hand and tell them to paint something from nature, what do you think they would paint? My guess is that butterflies would feature highly, but why is that? Well, one reason is that most children have experienced butterflies for themselves; another is that butterflies are colourful and symmetrical, a factor that plays a large part in youthful creativity. With their delicate beauty and fluttering flight, butterflies effortlessly conjure up thoughts of sunny days – no matter what the weather. This July, learn to identify some local favourites. READ MORE » 
Hidden NatureMay and June are perhaps the most exciting months of the year for wildlife enthusiasts. Our broad-leaved woodlands are still fresh and green, with bluebells and wild garlic in profusion. The meadows are a riot of colour and buzzing with insects, while birds busily collect for their broods. The Nature Conservation Advisor for National Trust Wessex encourages us to get out and enjoy the world around us this spring. READ MORE » 
Deer DiaryDeer might be one of the wonders of Exmoor, but their population also needs managing. The National Trust has a very clear policy on deer management on the 20 square miles of its Holnicote Estate. Its objectives in managing wild deer are to protect natural habitats, to contain damage to farm crops and forestry and to reduce the incidence of road-traffic accidents that involve deer. Nigel Hester, National Trust Countryside Manager for the Holnicote Estate, explains their policy. READ MORE » 
Winter ColourKeeping your patch looking good for as much of the year as possible is never easy, and not surprisingly the winter months are the trickiest to fill, with the chilly days of January being the hardest of all. Inspiration can come from visiting other gardens open at this time, and from perusing nursery catalogues that give ideas for late winter. Whilst you may not be out in the garden much in January, you will certainly be looking out at it from indoors, and I can promise that any efforts you devote to creating a January spectacle will be much appreciated. READ MORE » 
The WoodlandersAs the Royal Forestry Society celebrates its 125th anniversary this year, ‘Somerset Life’ finds out more about the organisation. Founded by working foresters and nurserymen at Hexham in Northumberland in 1882, the RFS remains an organisation dedicated to sharing knowledge and the management of forests and woodlands. Today the RFS has more than 4,000 members, many of whom work as foresters and arboriculturalists. They also include estate managers, ecologists, students, academics, timber processors and people who love trees. The Society covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland through its 21 local divisions and also manages three woodlands. READ MORE » 
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Somerset Walks
Whether you choose a woodland trail, a stroll through Lorna Doone country, a walk centred around impressive geological features or on spectacular viewpoints, our wonderful selection of Somerset walks, which feature monthly in the magazine, will bring you chance encounters with Exmoor ponies, feral goats, rabbits, kestrels, buzzards, red deer and butterflies.
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Garden Visits
Inspirational visits to gardens across the county feature in Somerset Life every month and here we give you a taste of just six of them, most of which are open to the public and guaranteed to enlighten and enthral.
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Celebrity Interviews
Characters from the county talk to us every month about their lives and loves, and this selection captures the flavour and variety of six of these celebrity interviews. You can catch up with the latest interview in the current issue of Somerset Life.
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10 good reasons to visit...
In this popular series which features every month in Somerset Life, we take a deeper look at what there is to see and do in villages and towns across the county.
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