Whether you live locally or are on holiday in Devon, this part of the West Country has some truly beautiful National Trust Houses with gorgeous gardens to visit. It’s something all ages can enjoy, blending history and beauty with exploration and education; there are fascinating collections to see, trails and activities for children, glorious grounds to wander, walks on the wider estates, and cafes for when you’re hungry.
A visit to a National Trust house makes a great day out for the whole family and we have some beauties here in East Devon. It’s something we do whenever we get the chance – we love how you can delve back into the past and get a sense of what life was like over the centuries for the people who lived in these grand houses, and the servants who worked there. Every one of these houses has its own story to discover, its unique collections of art, furniture, toys and more unusual things that might otherwise be completely lost to us all. Younger folk can be absorbed in the house trails with things to spot, they can have a whole load of laughs dressing up, and any budding pianists can even tinkle the ivories.
Outside you can wander through the inspiring landscaped gardens, so thoughtfully planned out and opening onto arboretums, woodlands, meadows and riversides. Kids can enjoy running free, clambering in the play areas, looking out for wildlife, pond dipping and den building. That’s another bonus of a day out at a National Trust house – that mix of indoors and outdoors, the fresh air and exercise, and it doesn’t stop there. Most have cafes housed in former stable blocks or kitchens, there are gift shops to browse, plant sales and a more recent thing, second hand book barns.
It's a good idea to invest in NT membership, giving you free or discounted access to over 500 of their properties and usually free parking. You’ll soon get your money back and have memories of happy days out.
Join us on a quick round up of the best National Trust houses to visit in Devon, and okay, a cheeky little hop over the border into Somerset.
Killerton, Exeter, Devon
Home of the Acland family from the late 17th century, Killerton sits in a delightful hillside garden. Wander through the rooms and picture yourselves here, entertaining friends and family the way they did back then. View the famous fashion exhibition and see who’s first to find the secret opening in the library. The gardens are a joy to explore, with sweeping lawns, winding paths, an ornamental dairy and an enchanting Bear’s Hut, decorated with pine cones and deer knuckle bones; well worth a peek is the chapel with its beautiful stained glass rose window. In springtime the gardens are ablaze with the colours of rhododendrons and magnolia. Have a romp in the parkland, set the kids free in the play area, then regroup for tea and cake in the Stables Coffee Shop or for lunch in Killerton Kitchen House. Browse the gifts, homewares, plants and books, go home with your arms full.
Knightshayes, Bolham, Tiverton
A later property by NT standards, but Knightshayes is no less beautiful by any means. A post-war garden is set in 19th century parkland, at its heart is a glorious Gothic Revival house. Wonder at the medieval Great Hall complete with minstrel’s gallery, nose at the bedrooms, boudoirs and bathrooms for a taste of how the upper crust lived in Victorian times. Spot the gargoyles and the kooky Martinware birds hiding in the alcoves of the library. The woodland garden is embroidered with rhododendron in the spring, produce grown in the restored Victorian walled garden is put to good use in the Stables Café, and plants are potted for sale. Treat yourself to a second hand book, or something nice from the gift shop.
A La Ronde, Exmouth
This quirky 16 sided house with its diamond shaped windows was built in 1796 by Mary and Jane Parminter, two cousins who filled it with the weird and wonderful things they collected over the years and from their travels across Europe. A La Ronde is an absolute treasure trove with a Room of Discovery, cabinets full of curios, and décor of materials like seeds, shells and feathers, all done by hand by the women. Note how the bespoke furniture was made to fit the unusual shape of the house - and just wait until you see the Shell gallery, made using over 25,000 individual shells! Take the circular walk around the meadow, love the views over the estuary, allow time to browse the bookshop; take a picnic in the orchard or tuck into something from the food kiosk under the trees.
Arlington Court, Barnstaple
This Regency house and picturesque grounds on the edge of Exmoor have something very, very unique – it’s home to the National Trust Carriage Museum and houses an astounding collection of horse-drawn vehicles dating from 1815. Accumulations in the house at Arlington Court, amassed by 11 generations of the Chichester family, include model ships, shells, textiles and pewter. Take a slow stroll around the very lovely Victorian gardens, past the fountain, through the walled kitchen garden, to the conservatory full of exotic plants. Venture into the pleasure grounds, watch dragonflies dance by the Wilderness Pond and take refuge from the heat of the sun in the Deerpark Wood. Kids will love the play area, you’ll all like the Old Kitchen Tea Room, the book shop and gift shop.
Castle Drogo, Drewsteignton, Exeter
Castle Drogo was the last castle to be built in England, hewn from local granite from 1911-1930, standing in a commanding position above the Teign Gorge, with staggering views over Dartmoor. Go inside and you’ll soon see that there’s nothing else like this; oh, to live here! See the Venetian chandeliers, the writing desk that once belonged to French royalty, the antique toy collection in the nursery, and nearly 400 jelly moulds in the kitchen. Outside allow the delicate scents of the Rose Garden to arrest your senses as you explore the formal gardens, love the rhododendron painted woodlands, wander further for wildlife trails and riverside walks. The kids will adore the Bunty House, you’ll probably feel the same about the chapel. Linger in the shop and café.
Greenway, Galhampton, Dartmouth
Agatha Christie thought Greenway ‘the loveliest house in the world’, and she should know – it was her family holiday home, perched on the clifftop, up above the River Dart. Any Aggie fans will be in heaven here, this is such a huge insight into her life, with family collections, a chance to see the author’s bedroom, and rare 1st editions of her works in the library where there are over 5,000 books. The gardens are divine, with a Fernery, Camelia Garden, Woodland Garden, Pet Cemetery, riverside paths and lovely river views. Wander down to the romantic boathouse, see the gun battery that was built as a Napoleonic war defence in the 1790s. Finally, browse the bookshop, have cake in the café, or if it’s summer, an ice cream from the parlour.
Coleton Fishacre, Kingswear, Dartmouth
Be warned, Coleton Fishacre has the power to make you come over all wistful, because it’s so deliciously lovely. The country retreat of the D’Oyly Carte family, this beautiful house, set in a quiet coastal valley with sea views, was built in the 1920s. Distinctly Arts & Crafts on the outside, more Art Deco minimalist inside, you’ve got to see it – the elegant dining room, the cosy library, the theatrical saloon where the family relaxed and entertained after dinner. The servants’ quarters give an insight into life behind the scenes in the busy kitchen and maid’s bedroom. Note the bell on the side of the house – it was used to call the family home for dinner when they were in the cove at the bottom of the garden.
And just over the border in Somerset:
Barrington Court, Barrington, Ilminster
This Tudor Manor House was built from 1538-1550, and though at the time of writing Court House (the main house) is closed for repair, you should still go to see the ground floor of adjoining Strode House and for the exquisite gardens at Barrington Court. The latter are laid out as a series of walled garden rooms, largely Getrude Jekyll influenced, and include a Lily Garden, White Garden, Rose Garden and Iris Garden. The kitchen garden has espaliered fruit trees, gourds hanging from the pergolas in late summer and an impressive pumpkin patch in the autumn. Linger longer to explore the avenues and orchards, or for a good walk on the wider estate; come back for refreshments at the café and to find something to take home from the shop or book barn.
Montacute House. Montacute
What a splendid example of Elizabethan Renaissance architecture this mansion house is! The golden Hamstone, hewn from quarries a few miles away, almost glows when the sun falls on it, the enormous windows reflect the sky. Montacute House is a thing of beauty, as are the gardens, with neatly clipped yew hedges, manicured lawns, a fountain pond, obelisks and lanterns, and borders positively brimming with flowers. Over 100,000 spring bulbs planted across the garden give a wonderful springtime display, the orangery transports you to tropical climes. Other highlights are the rare 15th century tapestries, and the Porter’s Lodges where the servants lived; if you have time take a bimble along the lime avenue or through the heritage apple orchard, and of course, stop for sustenance at the café, followed by a wee browse of the shop.
Tintinhull Garden, Yeovil
Tintinhull Garden is worthy of a mention because, for what’s considered a small garden, it has such an immense sense of beauty and tranquillity. Set around a picturesque 17th century manor, there secluded lawns edged by borders profuse with flowers, a Cedar Court where magnolias bloom in early spring, a garden arboretum, a fountain garden and Italianette pool garden. Have a mooch in the book barn, treat yourselves to cake in the tea room, pick up fresh garden produce for your dinner.
