With the flowers blooming and the school holidays approaching, summer is well and truly underway. What better way to spend a sunny afternoon than exploring some of the gorgeous gardens that Somerset has to offer?

Here are five wonderful spaces where you can reconnect with nature, lose yourself in Somerset's rich history, or simply enjoy a slice of cake and a cold drink.

1 - The Walled Garden at Mells

Open Wednesday to Sunday, 11AM - 5PM. Free entry.

Tucked away in the village of Mells, the Walled Garden is a picturesque spot with a rich history stretching back to the 15th Century. The garden once grew herbs for the local rectory before it was demolished during the dissolution of the monasteries in the 1540s. Today, visitors can wander through the tranquil garden while surrounded by the stone ruins of the old rectory. With several winding paths, two ponds and a sunny terrace overlooking the meadow, there's plenty to explore in this unique hidden gem.

The garden is also home to a seasonal cafe, serving a range of cakes, hot and cold drinks, and fresh pizza from a wood-fired oven. There is also a plant nursery where you can browse a variety of beautiful flowers grown onsite; the profits go towards funding therapeutic horticulture projects in the local community.

2 - Forde Abbey, Chard

Open 10.30AM - 5PM. £14.50 for adults, £5 for children.

Another one for the history lovers, this gorgeous estate surrounds an impressive 900 year old house. When the abbey was founded in the 12th Century, the gardens were used to grow fruit and vegetables for the early Cisterian monks, who followed a strict vegetarian diet. Much like the Walled Garden at Mells, Forde Abbey was also affected by the dissolution of the monasteries: in 1539, the abbey and its lands were taken over by the Crown. Over the next few hundred years, a series of landlords renovated and expanded the gardens, shaping them into the beautiful estate that is now open to the public.

With thirty acres of garden to explore - combining formal elements with natural wooded areas - this estate offers a great day out for history buffs and gardening enthusiasts alike.

3 - Yeo Valley Organic Garden, Blagdon

Open Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 10AM - 5PM. £6 for adults, £2 for children.

For a less historic - although just as charming - place to unwind, why not visit the Organic Garden? Covering six and a half acres, the productive farm grows a combination of ornamental and edible plants. The garden is home to a diverse patchwork of plants, from a meadow of wildflowers to an avenue of crabapple blossoms and a plot full of organic vegetables.

After exploring the farm, visitors can also enjoy a cup of tea and a cake from the garden's tearoom.

4 - Milton Lodge Gardens, Wells

Open Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday, 2PM - 5PM. £5 for adults, free for children.

High up on the Mendip Hills, this sizable park is known for its stunning panoramic views and impressive collection of plants. The garden consists of four terraces that spill over the hillside, offering views of Wells Cathedral and Glastonbury Tor. Lovingly cared for, the pristine lawns and vibrant flowerbeds make for a delightfully scenic stroll. Beneath the terraces, you can find a more natural environment in the Combe, a large woodland garden on the edge of the city.

Botanists and plant lovers will adore Milton Lodge; the terraces are home to a range of interesting flowers, and you can find many huge, ancient trees while exploring the Combe below.

5 - Prior Park Landcape Garden, Bath

Open 10AM - 5PM. £8 for adults, £4 for children.

Looking for a varied walk with spectacular views? This impressive 18th Century estate is home to gorgeous sweeping meadows and picturesque lakes. Alongside the beautiful landscape, these grounds are full of historical treasures, including an Iron Age hill fort, Roman ruins, Georgian follies and a famous Palladian Bridge (one of only four in existence).

With a six-mile circular route encompassing all of these landmarks, and a tea shed open during the school holidays, Prior Park is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon.