Historic Houses in Devon

A La Ronde is an unusual 16-sided house built by two cousins, Jane and Mary Parminter, in 1796. The cousins were inspired by a grand tour of the European continent and created this striking house looking out over the Exe estuary. The interiors contain mementoes collected by the two women, and feature unusual decor, including a 'feather frieze', 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

Heritage Rating:   ?


Nearest Self Catering Cottages

Arlington Court is a 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

Heritage Rating:   ?


Nearest Self Catering Cottages

Bradley Manor House is a surprisingly complete medieval manor set in lovely woodland on the edge of Newton Abbot. The house contains collections of Arts and Crafts furniture and Pre-Raphaelite paintings. The earliest part of the house dates to the 13th century, but the majority is of 15th-century design.
Totnes Road, Newton Abbot, Devon, England, TQ12 1LX

Heritage Rating:   ?

Heritage Highlight: Very well-preserved 15th-century decorative scheme

Nearest Self Catering Cottages

Buckland Abbey was founded in 1278 by the Cistercian order of monks. It was the last Cistercian monastic house to be established in England. In typical Cistercian fashion the abbey was located in a secluded location. This very isolation helps make Buckland one of the most enjoyable historic houses to visit in Devon. After the Dissolution of the Monasteries Buckland Abbey was transformed into a manor house, and is most famous as the home of Sir Francis Drake, There are extesive displays of Drake memorabilia, and an authentic Elizabethan garden has been established beside the house, There are enjoyable walks through the estate.
Yelverton, Devon, England, PL20 6EY

Heritage Rating:   ?


Nearest Self Catering Cottages

Cadhay is 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.
Ottery St Mary, Devon, England, EX11 1QT

Heritage Rating:   ?


Nearest Self Catering Cottages

An early twentieth century mock castle designed by architect Sir Edward Lutyens for a wealthy merchant, Castle Drogo was one of the last great stately homes to be built in England. The design certainly has all the external features of a medieval fortress, with bristling battlements, a portcullis entrance, and a fortified entrance tower. The foundations for the house were cut out of solid rock, which explains the exposed granite in the bathroom. An ode to pretention, but a fascinating place to visit.
Drewsteignton, Exeter, Dartmoor, Devon, England, EX6 6PB

Heritage Rating:   ?


Nearest Self Catering Cottages

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

Heritage Rating:   ?


Nearest Self Catering Cottages

Compton Castle is a picturesque fortified manor house, bristling with turrets and parapets, in a sheltered valley setting. The castle was built by the Gilbert family, and a descendant of the same family inhabits the house today, though now the property is owned by the National Trust.
Marldon, Paignton, Devon, England, TQ3 1TA

Heritage Rating:   ?

Heritage Highlight: Medieval Great Kitchen

Nearest Self Catering Cottages

Coombe Trenchard is an Arts and Crafts style house built in 1906 for the Sperling family, set in 6 acres of lovely restored gardens. The main hall features a hidden, sliding wall.
Lewtrenchard, Devon, England, EX20 4PW

Heritage Rating:   ?

Heritage Highlight: Arts and Crafts house in grand Edwardian style

Nearest Self Catering Cottages

Fursdon House is a 17th-century country house, enlarged and refurbished in the Regency period. It has been the home of the Fursdon family since the 13th century and is a bit of an unknown treasure in the countryside of Devon.
Cadbury, Devon, England, EX5 5JS

Heritage Rating:   ?


Nearest Self Catering Cottages