A record five million visits were made to National Trust houses and gardens in the South West last year.
From January 1 to December 31, 2014, there were almost 5,014,000 visits made, an increase of 2.5 per cent on 2013.
This came despite storms and flooding. Knightshayes near Tiverton and Killerton made national headlines, with Killerton alone losing 500 trees in the storms.
Despite the challenging start to 2014, National Trust places bounced back to record levels of popularity last year. Every county saw increases including a 1.6 per cent rise in Devon.
Shona Owen, from the National Trust, said: "In contrast, this January, more of our places are open than ever before. Our parklands and gardens are perfect for a walk on bright, clear winter days, and some places like Knightshayes Court, Tyntesfield and Stourhead are welcoming dogs into the gardens this winter.
"Our places tend to be quieter now, offering a chance to unwind after a hectic Christmas and reflect on what the year ahead might bring.'
A few houses are open as well in January; Knightshayes Court is open every day with opportunities to see our conservation team at work on our collection items.
Despite the challenging start to 2014, National Trust places bounced back to record levels of popularity last year. Every county saw increases, including a 1.6 per cent rise in Devon.
