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1. Bradley Manor
Still a relaxed familt home, this unspoilt and fascinating medieval manor house has much of its original decoration. It is beautifully set in a green haven of riverside meadows and woodlands, just a stones throw from the town centre. |
2. Compton Castle
A rare survivor, this medieval fortress with high curtain walls, towers and two portcullis gates, set in a landscape of rolling hills and orchards, is a bewitching mixture of romance and history. Home for nearly 600 years to the Gilbert family, including Sir Humphrey Gilbert, half-brother to Sir Walter Ralegh. |
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3. Greenway
This is an extraordinary glimpse into the private holiday home of the famous and much-loved author Agatha Christie and her family. The relaxed and atmospheric house is set in the 1950s, and contains many of the family's collections, including archaeology, Tunbridgeware, silver, botanical china and books. Outside you can explore the large and romantic woodland garden, with a restored vinery and peach house, wild edges and rare plantings, which drifts down the hillside towards the sparkling Dart estuary. Consider 'green ways' to get here, to relieve pressure on lanes: for example cycling, walking or ferries from Dartmouth, Torquay and Brixham. |
4. Coleton Fishacre
Travel back in time to the Jazz Age at the holiday home of the D'Oyly Carte family. You can lose yourself in the magical 12-hectare (30-acre) garden: viewpoints give enticing glimpses out to sea, paths weave through glades past tranquil ponds, and tender plants from the Mediterranean, South Africa and New Zealand thrive in the moist and sheltered valley. This most evocative of holiday homes, built in the Arts and Crafts style, is imbued with 1920s' elegance. A light, joyful atmosphere fills the rooms and music plays, echoing the family's Gilbert and Sullivan connections. |
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5. A La Ronde
This unique sixteen-sided house, described by Lucinda Lambton as having 'a magical strangeness that one might dream of only as a child', was built for two spinster cousins, Jane and Mary Parminter, on their return from a European grand tour in the late 18th century. It contains many objects and mementoes of their travels, and the extraordinary interior decoration includes a feather frieze from many species of birds, including game birds, fowl, jays and parrots, laboriously stuck down with isinglass. A fragile shell-encrusted gallery, said to contain nearly 25,000 shells, can be viewed in entirety on closed-circuit television. |
6. Overbeck's
One of the most fascinating and exotic gardens in the South West; explore the banana garden, meander through the towering purple echiums or just relax beneath palms and soak up the spectacular panorama across miles of beautiful coastline and estuary. Continue your journey of discovery into the Edwardian house of Otto Overbeck to see his amazing invention, The Rejuvenator, hear the giant (1890s) music box and prepare to be intrigued by his collections. The perfect day out for families who enjoy exploring, or the keen gardener who wants to be inspired and excited. |
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7. Saltram
Still a largely undiscovered treasure, and the result of centuries of sophistication and extravagance, Saltram is the perfect family day out: close to Plymouth and yet in a world of its own. Home to the Parker family for nearly 300 years, the house with its original contents provides a fascinating insight into country-estate life throughout the centuries. Fine Robert Adam interiors and beautiful collections bring the 'age of elegance' to life at Saltram. Learn about some of the fascinating characters and family stories, including the correspondence between Frances, the first Countess, and Jane Austen. |
8. Buckland Abbey
Buckland Abbey was home to Cistercian monks, who built the Abbey and the incredible Great Barn and farmed the then vast estate. The Abbey was later converted into a home by Sir Richard Grenville and then bought by Sir Francis Drake. It now has a combination of furnished rooms and interactive galleries which tell the story of how these two men changed the shape of the house and the fate of the country. Discover the Buckland estate, the meadows, the orchards and the late spring bluebells. Enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the Tavy Valley and the far-reaching views. |
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9. Lydford Gorge
This lush oak-wooded steep-sided river gorge (the deepest in the South West), with its natural beauty, fascinating history and many legends, can be explored through a variety of exhilarating short or long walks. Around every corner the River Lyd plunges, tumbles, swirls and gently meanders as it travels through the gorge. Throughout the seasons there is an abundance of wildlife and plants to see, from woodland birds to wild garlic (you can smell it too) in the spring and fungi in the autumn. |
10. Finch Foundry
Set amid beautiful Dartmoor countryside in the village of Sticklepath, this last remaining water-powered forge in England gives a unique insight into village life in the 19th century. In its heyday the foundry made 400 tools a day, including sickles, scythes and shovels for West Country farmers and miners. |
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11. Castle Drogo
Inside this remarkable granite building, set above the Teign Gorge, is a surprisingly warm and comfortable family home. Commissioned by retail tycoon Julius Drewe, and designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, the castle harks back to a romantic past, while its brilliant design heralds the modern era. Behind the imposing facade, poignant family keepsakes sit alongside 17th-century tapestries. The dramatic Dartmoor setting can be appreciated from the delightful formal garden and walks into a rhododendron valley. Tours and activities are arranged throughout the year. Our visitor centre, shop and cafe specialise in local produce. |