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Devon

Historic Houses in Devon

Here you will find stately homes and other fine residences. You might also enjoy our list of historic buildings, such as half-timbered houses, guildhalls, medieval schools, deserted villages, and all the other wonderful historic remnants that dot the landscape of Devon.

A La Ronde    An unusual 16 sided house built by two cousins, ane and Mary Parminter, in 1796. The cousins were inspired by a grand tour to the continent, and created this striking houe looking out over the Exe estuary. The interios contain mementoes collected by the two women, and feature unusual decor, including a 'featherfrieze', and a gallery lined with shells. The latter chamber is so fragile that visitors must view it on closed-circuit television. Summer Lane, Exmouth, Devon, England, EX8 5BD Attraction Type: Historic House Location: 2 m N Exmouth, on A376 Website: A La Ronde Email: alaronde@nationaltrust.org.uk Phone: 01395 265 514 National Trust Location map OS SY007 835 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Arlington Court   Regency house set in lovely parks and gardens. The interiors feature a fabulous collection of model ships amassed by the eccentric former owner Rosalie Chichester. Arlington hosts a collection of horse drawn carriages, and visitors can enjoy a ride around the estate in a carriage (summer only). Enjoyable woodland and garden walks are dotted with modern sculptures. Arlington, Barnstaple, Devon, England, EX31 4LP Attraction Type: Historic House Location: 7 m NE Barnstaple, on A39 Website: Arlington Court Email: arlingtoncourt@nationaltrust.org.uk Phone: 01271 850 296 Fax: 01271 851 108 National Trust Location map Details of Arlington Court OS SS614404 Photo Credit: David Ross Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Bradley Manor    A surprisingly complete medieval manor set in lovely woodland. The house contains collections of Arts and Crafts furniture and Pre-Raphaelite paintings. The earliest part of the house dates to the 13th crentury, but the majority is of 15th century design. Newton Abbot, Devon, England, TQ12 6BN Attraction Type: Historic House Location: on A381, 1 m SW Newton Abbot Website: Bradley Manor Email: bradley@nationaltrust.org.uk Phone: 01803 843 235 National Trust Location map OS SX849 709 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Buckland Abbey    The former home of Sir Francis Drake, Buckland Abbey was founded in 1278 by the Cistercian order of monks, the last Cistercian foundation in England. As with most Cistercian foundations, the abbey is located in a secluded location, making it one of the more enjoyable historic houses to visit in Devon. In addition to Drake memorabilia, an Elizabethan garden has been established at Bucklands, plus an aromatic herb garden, and there are enjoyable walks through the secluded estate. Yelverton, Devon, England, PL20 6EY Attraction Type: Historic House Location: off A386, just S Yelverton Website: Buckland Abbey Email: bucklandabbey@nationaltrust.org.uk Phone: 01822 853 607 Fax: 01822 855 448 National Trust Location map Details of Buckland Abbey OS SX489 668 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Cadhay    A lovely Elizabethan manor acclaimed as one of England's thousand best houses. Cadhay was begun in 1550 by John Haydon, on the site of an older house. To Haydon's house was later added a long gallery, effectively creating a rectangular building around an inner courtyard. The house has been beautifully restored and furnished and now operates as holiday accommodation, but visitors are welcome at regular opening times (see website). Ottery St Mary, Devon, England, EX11 1QT Attraction Type: Historic House Location: on B3176, 1 m NW Ottery St Mary Website: Cadhay Email: jayne@cadhay.org.uk Phone: 01404 813 511 Location map OS SY089 963 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Castle Drogo   A twentieth century "castle" built by Sir Edward Lutyens to satisfy the aspirations to gentryhood of a successful merchant. Battlements, portcullis, fortified entrance tower, all designed to create a medieval heritage. The foundations are hewn into the rock of the hillside, to the point of having exposed granite in the bathroom. An ode to ambition, but a fascinating place to visit for all that. Drewsteignton, Exeter, Devon, England, EX6 6PB Attraction Type: Historic House Location: off A30 Website: Castle Drogo Email: castledrogo@nationaltrust.org.uk Phone: 01647 433 306 Fax: 01647 433 186 National Trust Location map Details of Castle Drogo OS SX723 904 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Chambercombe Manor    A true treasure of England's past, Chambercombe Manor was built in the 11th century, and was mentioned in the Domesday Book. Elizabethan furniture shares the interior with later Victorian decor. Lady Jane Grey is known to have visited the house. Chambercombe is supposedly haunted; in the Victorian period a secret room was discovered, and legend says that a body lay upon a bed in the room. Chambercombe Lane, Ilfracombe, Devon, England, EX34 9RJ Attraction Type: Historic House Location: off A399 Website: Chambercombe Manor Phone: 01271 862 624 Location map OS SS532468 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Coleton Fishacre House and Garden    Arts and Crafts style house with an Art Deco interior, surrounded by a fantastic garden. The house was built in 1925 for Rupert and Lady Dorothy D'Oyly Carte. Brownstone Road, Kingswear, Dartmouth, Devon, England, TQ6 0EQ Attraction Type: Historic House Location: 3 m E Kingswear Website: Coleton Fishacre House and Garden Email: coletonfishacre@nationaltrust.org.uk Phone: 01803 752 466 Fax: 01803 753 017 National Trust Location map Details of Coleton Fishacre House and Garden OS SX908 509 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Compton Castle    A fantastic fortified manor house, bristling with turrets and parapets, lies in a sheltered valley setting. Compton Castle was built by the Gilbert family, and the same family still inhabits the house today, though now the property is owned by the National Trust. The castle is surrounded by lush gardens, including a period knot garden. Compton Castle was used in the filming of the 1995 film adaptation of Janer Austen's Sense and Sensibility. Marldon, Paignton, Devon, England, TQ3 1TA Attraction Type: Historic House Location: 1½ m N Marldon, signposted from A380 Website: Compton Castle Email: comptoncastle@nationaltrust.org.uk Phone: 01803 843 235 Fax: 01803 661 900 National Trust Location map OS SX868 649 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Hartland Abbey   An Augustinian monastery from 1160 to 1539, Hartland Abbey was given to the Sergeant of the Wine Cellar at Hampton Court by Henry VIII. Still the home of the Stucley family, the Abbey houses Document and Photographic exhibitions. The original abbey cloisters run the length of the west passage in the basement, but above stairs 18th and 19th century remodelling features murals, painted panelling, and the vaulted and stencilled ceiling of the Alhambra Passage. Impressively restored gardens. Hartland, Bideford, Devon, England, EX39 6DT Attraction Type: Historic House Location: 15 miles west of Bideford, off the A39 Website: Hartland Abbey Email: ha_admin@btconnect.com Phone: 01237 441 264 Fax: 01237 441 264 Location map Details of Hartland Abbey - Photos of Hartland Abbey OS SS241 249 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Killerton    A late 18th century mansion built by John Johnson for Sir Thomas Acland. Killerton features an enormous costume collection, with rotating exhibits, so that a display of over 7000 items is on show at any one time. The house is surrounded by a very large park and gardens. Broadclyst, Exeter, Devon, England, EX5 3LE Attraction Type: Historic House Location: 7 m NE Exeter, on B3181 Website: Killerton Email: killerton@nationaltrust.org.uk Phone: 01392 881 345 Fax: 01392 883 112 National Trust Location map Details of Killerton OS SS977 001 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Knightshayes Court    Awe inspiring (or simply awful, depending on your architectural sensibilities) Gothic revival house built in 1870's. Much of the original decorative work has been redone by more subdued subsequent owners. Wonderful carving, artwork by Rembrandt, Holbein, and Constable among others. Bolham, Tiverton, Devon, England, EX16 7RQ Attraction Type: Historic House Location: 2 m N Tiverton, off A396 Website: Knightshayes Court Email: knightshayes@nationaltrust.org.uk Phone: 01884 254 665 Fax: 01884 243 050 National Trust Location map Details of Knightshayes Court OS SS960 151 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Powderham Castle    Begun 1390 as the home of the Courtenays, Earls of Devon. Around this medieval core is a Gothic revival exterior by Charles Fowler, architect of the Covent Garden market. The interior is largely Georgian, with work by James Wyatt. Marble fireplaces, marvellous plasterwork. Medieval chapel. Kenton, Exeter, Devon, England, EX6 8JQ Attraction Type: Historic House Location: 8 m SE Exeter, off A379 Website: Powderham Castle Email: castle@powderham.co.uk Phone: 01626 890 243 Fax: 01626 890 729 Location map Details of Powderham Castle OS SX965 832 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Saltram    Georgian exterior on Tudor foundations. Extensive plasterwork, and a largely untouched Robert Adam saloon. Portraits by Reynolds, a friend of the Parker family who owned the house. A subsequent resident found £32,000 hidden in bags scattered throughout the house when he inherited the place. Plympton, Plymouth, Devon, England, PL7 1UH Attraction Type: Historic House Location: 3.5 m E Plymouth, off A38 or A379 Website: Saltram Email: saltram@nationaltrust.org.uk Phone: 01752 333 500 Fax: 01752 336 474 National Trust Location map Details of Saltram OS SX520 557 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Tapeley Park    Queen Anne building, farm, formal gardens. Operated with a focus on environmentalism; interesting examples of alternative approaches. Instow, Bideford, Devon, England, EX39 4NT Attraction Type: Historic House Location: on B3223, off A39 Website: Tapeley Park Email: tapeley_park@yahoo.co.uk Phone: 01271 860 897 Location map OS SS478291 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Tiverton Castle    Remarkable range of architecture spanning 900 years of history, from medieval to modern. Very hands-on and accessible; try on Civil War armour, feel the weight of a cannonball. Walled gardens, kitchen garden, woodlands, orchard. Park Hill, Tiverton, Devon, England, EX16 6RP Attraction Type: Historic House Location: just north of town centre Website: Tiverton Castle Email: tiverton.castle@ukf.net Phone: 01884 253 200 Location map OS SS955 129 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Devon Travel Guide

Devon Overview - Devon Tourist Information Centres - Devon travel links Attractions Ancient Sites - Castles - Gardens - Historic Houses - Towns and Villages Gazetteer Featured Berry Pomeroy Castle | Buckland Abbey | Castle Drogo | Coleton Fishacre Gardens | Dartmoor National Park | Dartmouth | Dartmouth Castle | Exeter | Exmoor National Park | Grimspound | Killerton House and Gardens | Knightshayes | Marwood Hill | Okehampton Castle | Powderham Castle | Rosemoor Garden | Saltram House | Totnes | Totnes Castle Features Dartmouth Castle Photo Gallery - Clovelly Photo Gallery Accommodation Hotels in Devon - Self Catering Cottages in Devon

© David Ross and Britain Express