Swing into summer with the National Trust in Devon
Across Devon, National Trust places are alive with the promise of warm summer days, lazy weekend picnics and trips out with family and friends. There’s loads on offer this season, from wildflower walks to garden and art tours and garden theatre performances to family trails.
What’s more, every time you experience a National Trust day out, you help care for these special places for future generations.
Here is what’s happening near you this summer, please check property website for opening days and times:
A la Ronde
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/a-la-ronde
Summer of Play and the Festival of Archaeology
For dates and times please visit the website
Join us at A la Ronde for a summer of traditional garden games and outdoor crafting fun for the whole family. You can also join us for free short estate tours to learn about the beautiful grounds and wildflower meadow, a rich habitat for insects & birds.
Over July we will be carrying out archaeological digs and hosting workshops to learn about what we find as part of the summer Festival of Archaeology.
Further events to be announced, please keep an eye on our website for more information, dates, and times.
Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.
Arlington
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/arlington-court-and-the-national-trust-carriage-museum
Wildflower trail at Arlington Court
Daily to 30 Jun. 10am – 4pm
Find out more about the wildflowers that have been sown at Arlington, as part of the North Devon Grasslands project, on this free family activity trail. Journey around the grounds to learn about the life and importance of pollinators and the flowers that Rosalie Chichester, Arlington Court's last resident, illustrated over 100 years ago.
Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.
Windfall: an exhibition by Bobby Mills
Daily. 10am – 4pm
A new exhibition which celebrates the wood of four windblown trees from across the Arlington estate following storms in 2022. This collection celebrates the wood of four windblown trees from across the estate, Ash, Oak, Sycamore and Lime. Each work is an intuitive response to the inherent character of the tree and often changes throughout the making. The exhibition can be viewed in our visitor reception building.
Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.
Volunteering Open Days at Arlington Court
Sat 17 Jun. 11am – 3pm
Drop in during one of our open days for a chat and find out more about volunteering at Arlington. There will be tours and tasters to give you a feel for the various roles you can get involved with. Become a Volunteer to help a great cause and meet new people in an amazing place.
Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.
Arlington Court Garden Fate
Fri 23 – Sun 25 Jun. 10am-4pm
Join us for a special celebratory summer fate on the lawn, to mark 200 years since the house at Arlington Court was built. This event is based upon one of Rosalie Chichester's, the last resident of Arlington Court, own garden parties. There will be music, games, activities, stalls and more out on the lawn for all to enjoy.
Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.
Adventures of Mog at Arlington Court
Daily from Sat 1 Jul
Join Mog, the remarkable cat from Judith Kerr’s beloved children’s books, on her adventures around Arlington Court. Pick up a free trail sheet from visitor reception and head out to explore the grounds and gardens, finding fun activities as you go.
Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.
Mini Gardeners Club pop-up session at Arlington Court
Thu 10 Aug. 10am – 1pm
Stop by the Walled Kitchen Garden between 10am and 12pm for a selection of free family gardening activities, hosted by the Mini Gardeners Club. For full details of activities taking place, please visit the Mini Gardeners website. www.theminigardenersclub.co.uk
Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.
Buckland Abbey
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/buckland-abbey
Great Big Green Week
Sat 10 – Sat 17 Jun. 10am – 4pm
Join us for some creative and fun ways to celebrate nature across Great Big Green Week this June. Help decorate our Nature Joy tree in the barn, fly around our pollinator trail in the gardens and try out some yoga poses in the Cider House Garden.
Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.
Linnet Workshops with Grace Coombes – Block Printing Workshop
Mon 12 Jun. 10am – 1pm
Be inspired by the beautiful surroundings of Buckland Abbey and create your very own block prints. Grace Coombes from Linnet Workshops will guide you through each step of the process from designing, carving and finally printing your blocks onto paper. This workshop is suitable for complete beginners and no previous experience is necessary. Come along and try something new. Share the experience with a friend or take some time out just for you. All materials included. Tea, coffee and refreshments will also be provided.
Price: £33.Booking essential 0344 249 1895.
Elizabethan weekend
Sat 22 & Sun 23 Jul. 10am – 5pm
Immerse yourself in Tudor life across this weekend with falconry displays, cookery demonstrations and much more to enjoy.
Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.
Summer of Play
Sat 22 Jul to Sun 3 Sept. 10am – 5pm
Join us at Buckland Abbey for a fantastic summer of fun, games and activities across the whole property. From Tudor tennis to dressing up, historical cookery to crafts, there’s something for the whole family to enjoy.
Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.
History of the Abbey through its art – guided tour
Every Mon. 2 – 3.30pm
Each Monday at 2pm you can come and discover the history of Buckland Abbey told through its artwork. The tour will last approximately 1.5 hours. Please check the website to see if the tour is scheduled to be on for the specific date you are interested in attending.
Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.
Castle Drogo
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/castle-drogo
Hydro open day
Sun 18 Jun & Sun 16 Jul. 11am – 3pm
Come and learn about how hydro power has been used at Castle Drogo from 1929 to the present day. Guides will be opening the Hydro for visitors to come and look inside. To get to the Hydro from the Castle Drogo car park please follow the Hunters path down to the Iron Bridge, cross over onto the Foresters track and follow the path towards Fingle Bridge. Alternatively you can access the Hydro from Fingle Bridge by following the Foresters track for around 40 minutes.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required
East Soar
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/east-soar
Farm walk at Southdown Farm
Thu 1 Jun & Thu 6 Jul. 6 – 8pm
Early evening is a great time for discovering the rich abundance of wildlife here. Since managing the farm in a much more nature-friendly way, the amount and variety of birds, insects and mammals has increased significantly. Learn how the Trust and the tenants have been working hard to improve the value of the farm for wildlife.
Price: Free. Booking essential 0344 249 1895.
Wildflower walk
Sun 18 Jun. 10.30am – 12.30pm
Join Dr Ken Neal, ecologist, for a walk and talk at Southdown Farm. Whether you are a total beginner or a keen enthusiast, Ken will be identifying plants and telling you more about them. They'll also be time to find out how a nature-friendly approach to farming is increasing the quantity and diversity of wildflowers in and around the farm. Suitable for keen amateur botanists 14 years and upwards.
Price: Free. Booking essential 0344 249 1895.
Greenway
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/greenway
Becky Bettesworth and Agatha Christie
Thu 22 Jun, 12.30 – 3.30pm
Inspired by the house and gardens of Greenway, Agatha Christie based two of her the best selling novels 'Dead Man's Folly' and 'Five Little Pigs' here. Becky Bettesworth, a local artist to Greenway, is well known for her vintage seaside inspired posters. She began this style of work when she first exhibited these posters at Greenway in 2013, along with limited edition prints of Greenway. We're excited to be hosting the launch of the newly designed hardback books 'Dead Man's Folly' and 'Five Little Pigs', with Becky's signature vintage inspired illustrations for the new front covers. Treat yourself to one of the new hardbacks and have it signed by the artist herself.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Summer of Play
Daily from 22 Jul. 10.30am – 5pm
Discover every flavour of play at Greenway from 22 July - 3 September. Create, explore, move, wonder, make-believe. Try it all, find your favourite, come back again and again.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Killerton
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/killerton
Taking action for our climate
Wed 14 Jun. 6.30 – 8.30pm
Join Tim, Countryside Manger, to discover how Killerton is responding to the climate crisis. Discover how we have planted 70,000 trees in one season, how we are helping nature to thrive in our floodplains, what it takes to restore the landscape at Killerton and how you can get involved in this great work. This ranger walk is approximately 3 miles and will take 2 hours. The terrain includes some short climbs, uneven and potentially muddy paths.
Price: £7. Booking essential 0344 249 1895.
Working Together for Farming and Nature
Wed 19 Jul. 10am – 12pm
Join Ranger, Griselda, to learn more about the agroforestry and wood pasture projects taking place on the Killerton estate. Discover the reasons for combining agriculture with trees. Learn about the fascinating varieties of trees that have been planted and how the projects benefit both nature and people. This ranger walk is approximately 3 miles and will take 2 hours. The terrain includes some short climbs, uneven and potentially muddy paths. Likelihood of passing grazing livestock, so unsuitable for dogs.
Price: £7. Booking essential 0344 249 1895.
Garden theatre – Sense and Sensibility
Thu 20 Jul. 7 – 9.30pm
If you’re eager to partake in the ups and downs of Regency romance, don your finery and join Heartbreak Productions for their open-air adaptation of Sense and Sensibility. Jane Austen’s biting social satire about sisters in straitened circumstances is sure to satiate your summer romance requirement. Pack a picnic, grab your chaise longue (or blanket), and settle in for this literary classic with a Heartbreak twist. Registered assistance dogs only.
Price: Adult £15 / Child £10. Booking essential 0344 249 1895.
Garden theatre – Bad Dad
Sat 5 Aug. 6 – 8.30pm
Join Heartbreak Productions for this warm-hearted tale that follows the highs and lows of a father-son relationship. An open-air adaptation of David Walliams Bad Dad is the perfect summer family entertainment. So, pack your picnics, grab your wet weather gear or sun-cream (or both), something to sit on, and join Frank and Gilbert as they navigate their way through car chases and convicts in the struggle to escape the clutches of the local crime lord and clear Gilbert’s name. Registered assistance dogs only.
Price: Adult £15 / Child £10. Booking essential 0344 249 1895.
Can you see the wood for the trees?
Wed 16 Aug. 6 – 8pm
Join Senior Forester, John, on a walk around Ashclyst Forest looking at how we manage our woodlands for both conservation and timber. Discover how we are responding to a changing climate, enabling the ecosystem of our woods to thrive and producing timber. During this walk we will discuss coppicing, ride management, timber production and planting. This ranger walk is approximately 3 miles and will take 2 hours. The terrain includes some short climbs, uneven and potentially muddy paths.
Price: £7. Booking essential 0344 249 1895.
Thirsty for Fashion Exhibition
Daily. 11am – 4pm
The 'Thirsty For Fashion' exhibition at Killerton explores circular fashion from the 18th century to the present day. Items from the National Trust’s fashion collection, highlight some of the techniques used to repair and reuse clothing throughout history. Work from contemporary designers and makers also feature, showcasing modern techniques for a more sustainable and circular fashion industry.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Knightshayes
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/knightshayes
Summer at Knightshayes
Daily from 15 Jul. 10am – 5pm
Join us at Knightshayes for a fantastic summer of fun. Navigate your way through our Maze Trail and challenge your family and friends in the outdoor games. Climb over and under in the rope mazes, get your thinking cap on to solve the maze puzzles and try various activities in the gardens. With this much fun on offer, there is something to keep all ages entertained.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Lydford Gorge
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/lydford-gorge
Time travel trail
Daily from Sat 22 Jul. 10am – 4pm
Travel through time to learn how the gorge has been shaped by geology, nature and humans. From its early beginnings over 300 million years ago to how we're helping look after it today.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Overbeck’s Garden
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/overbecks-garden
Guided Garden Tour
Every Wed. 2 – 3.30pm
Our gardeners will take a small group of visitors on a tour of the garden, offering their knowledge of the horticultural delights, and some of the methods used to make this garden grow. Aimed at NT Members and Non-members, keen and not so keen plant people, the gentle stroll around the different areas of the garden and its planting will offer any visitor a deeper insight into the garden, as well as an opportunity to test their plant knowledge!
Price: £3 (normal admission applies). Booking essential 0344 249 1895.
Painting Workshop with Ellie Verracchia
Thu 8 Jun, Thu 6 Jul & Tue 8 Aug. 10.30am – 12.30pm
Paint a postcard, tutored by Ellie, and inspired by the stunning garden, with its dramatic coastal backdrop. Beginners welcomed, small groups only.
Price: £45 (normal admission applies). Booking essential 0344 249 1895.
Saltram
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/saltram
Reynolds 300: The Painter and the Painted
Daily. 11am – 4.15pm.
Saltram are celebrating the 300th anniversary of the birth of Sir Joshua Reynolds, highlighting many of his works on display here at Saltram and sharing stories of the close relationship he had with the Parker family in the 18th Century. Start your journey by picking up your free leaflet from the Welcome Centre and discover the man behind the portraits.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Summer of Play
Daily. 10am – 4.15pm (Thursday art days 11am – 12pm)
Join us this Summer as you start your journey as an Apprentice Artist for Sir Joshua Reynolds. Throughout the Summer, complete all the challenges, tasks, and activities inside the booklet to progress to become the Master Painter. Collect your sketchbook from the Welcome centre and discover the meanings behind some of the portraits in the house. Or perhaps head outside to the artists play area in the garden to take part in some lawn games?
Every Monday and Tuesday at the artist area on the lawn, you can try on some historical costumes. Or join us every Thursday for a different themed art workshop, that the whole family can enjoy.
Price: Free (normal admission applies) Suggested donation £1 for each booklet. Booking not required.
Garden Tours
Every other Wed. 11am - 12pm
Join one of Saltram’s garden team for a tour of the garden. Discover more about the planting and history of the garden or perhaps pick up some hints and tricks for your own outdoor space at home.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Sidmouth countryside
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/sidmouth-countryside
Bat walk in Salcombe Regis
Fri 9 Jun. 9.15 – 11pm
Enjoy a guided walk through Salcombe Regis valley, led by bat expert Sarah Butcher. An opportunity to see and hear bats in their natural environment and learn more about these fascinating flying mammals. We will be using bat detectors to listen and identify different species. We expect to see pipistrelle, long-eared, and noctule bats.
Price: Free. Booking essential 0344 249 1895.
Summer of Play with the National Trust
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/family-friendly
From 21 July 2023
Discover a world of adventure and play this summer across many National Trust places in the South West. There'll be lots of fun for you and your family from lawn games, such as quoits and skittles, to den-building, arts and crafts to pop up sports days, costumes and role play to giant Jenga, there is something for everyone.
Price: Free, normal admission prices apply. Booking not required.
