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South Devon Heritage – Historic Houses and Gardens – National Trust - Visit South Devon

South Devon Heritage

Our traditional reluctance to part with the past means we now have a fine stock of glorious historic buildings and gardens. We have for example, a rare surviving active monastery, as well as many others converted for domestic use during the Dissolution.

The National Trust has more properties in Devon than in any other county, including Coleton Fishacre, an arts and crafts gem that belonged to the impressario Richard D'Oyly Carte, Greenway - Agatha Christie's holiday retreat and the beautiful little manor house of Bradley near Newton Abbot.

English Heritage has some very fine castles at Totnes, Dartmouth and Berry Pomeroy, as well as archaeological sites on the moor and a host of smaller properties. Visit Powderham for a full blooded historic experience with events, entertainment and shopping on site.

For modern industrial and social heritage, following the fortunes of wool, tin, clay, railways, shipbuilding, fishing, quarrying, transport, farming or smuggling - visit the many excellent local museums. Often hidden away in small towns and villages, they are an excellent addittion to your stay.

You can also get first hand experience of bygone travel on the South Devon Railway, or on Brunel's spectacular coastal railway between Exeter and Newton Abbot. Or stand among the Bronze Age roundhouses in Grimspound and let your imagination take over.