homes & gardens
With over 40 National Trust properties alone located in Devon, that means you're never far from somewhere of historic interest. Obviously we can't cover them all here so we've concentrated on those that are within an hour's drive or less and, we have to admit, are some of our favourites!
From what is said to be Britain's most haunted castle, to the summer home of the world's most famous crime writer Agatha Christie, visitors to Torquay will really be spoilt for choice when it comes to finding great places to visit while staying here at the Bay.
greenway
They say crime doesn't pay, but in the case of Agatha Christie, this beautiful home set above the Dart river is proof that maybe sometimes the reverse is true! Agatha is perhaps Torquay's most famous resident. She was born and raised here and, in 1938, bought Greenway and lived there until her death in 1976. It sits in beautiful gardens and boasts its own boathouse down on the banks of the River Dart, visit Greenway and you'll understand why she described it as "the loveliest place in the world". It's furnished with many original items and is intended to leave the visitor feeling as if the author has just popped out. Fan or not of her crime writing, the house and grounds are well worth a visit. For an added touch of period charm, you can even arrive by steam train as the house has its own station stop, Greenway Halt.
Greenway Road, Galmpton, Devon, TQ5 0ES
Coleton fishacre
Less than ten minutes drive from Greenway lies another beautiful house which was built in the Arts & Crafts style in the 1920s by Rupert D'Oyly Carte, owner of the opera company and theatre of the same name. The design has been twice featured in Country Life magazine 1930 and then again in October 2007! Originally intended as a summer home and venue for entertaining many famous family guests, it is set in a lovely valley which has been planted extensively and leads down to it's own private beach in Hope Cove after which one our rooms is named. We have not known one guest who has visited Coleton and not fallen in love with it! Along with us!
Brownstone Rd, Kingswear, Dartmouth TQ6 0EQ
Berry Pomeroy Castle
Built in the late 15th century by the Pomeroy family which had held the land since the 11th century. Abandoned in the late 17th century
it fell into into ruin for a hundred years only before being revived in the 19th century when it became a popular tourist attraction. There are a number of legends associated with the castle, and according to the English Heritage guidebook, it "is reputed to be one of the most haunted castles in Britain". Two female ghosts are said to haunt the castle, the White Lady and the Blue Lady,but as they only make an appearance after dark you're unlikely to encounter them as the castle is closed to the public at night!
Berry Pomeroy, Totnes TQ9 6LJ
Visit website
castle drogo
All is not what it seems at Castle Drogo because in reality it is a fake! The castle was designed and built by renowned 20th-century architect Sir Edwin Lutyens for Julius Drewe, the hugely successful founder of the Home and Colonial Stores. Drewe chose the site in the belief that it formed part of the lands of his supposed medieval ancestor, Drogo de Teigne.
The inside has been undergoing substantial refurbishment in recent years. Outside, the Lutyens designed garden is colourful in all seasons, and there are miles of pathways to explore in the Teign Gorge from along the bubbling river to Wooston hillfort, high above the gorge.
Drewsteignton, near Exeter, Devon, EX6 6PB
find out more?
You can see a full list of properties to visit by visiting either the National Trust or English Heritage websites.