A la Ronde
Visitor information
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© NTPL/David Garner
The Octagon at A la Ronde from above, which door should I choose?
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© NTPL/Geoffrey Frosh
Take a closer look at the the Cabinet of Curiosities at A la Ronde
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© NTPL/Geoffrey Frosh
One of the striking diamond-shaped windows at A la Ronde
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© National Trust - A la Ronde
Enjoy the fabulous views of the Exe Estuary from A la Ronde, Devon
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© NTPL/David Garner
The Drawing Room is home to the craftwork of the Parminter sisters
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© A la Ronde Staff
A la Ronde is now open to visitors in the winter
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© NTPL/David Garner
Step into this dreamlike house unlike any you've ever seen before
Quirky 18th-century house with fascinating interior decoration and collections
This unique sixteen-sided house was described by Lucinda Lambton as having 'a magical strangeness that one might dream of only as a child'.
It was built for two spinster cousins, Jane and Mary Parminter, on their return from a grand tour of Europe in the late 18th century. It contains many objects and mementoes of their travels.
The extraordinary interior decoration includes a feather frieze, gathered from native game birds and chickens, laboriously stuck down with isinglass.
There is also a fragile shell-encrusted gallery, said to contain nearly 25,000 shells, which can be viewed in its entirety using a touch screen 360 degree virtual tour.
Note: last admission at 4pm.
This spring
- Tour the house that was built to make the most of natural daylight
- Treat yourself to a tasty seasonal snack in the tea-room
- Choose titles from our wide range of second-hand books
- Enjoy the panoramic views of coast and countryside
- Look out for signs of spring on the Parminter walk
- Dogs on leads are welcome in the grounds
- Find out why feathers are a key feature at A la Ronde
A riot of spring colour
A la Ronde tulips are a riot of spring colour
Tulip fever
Don't miss the spectacular display of spring tulips which are bursting into life in the flower borders. Over 2,000 bulbs were planted and most have survived the wet winter to produce a sweep of colour that is proving a real hit with visitors.
The varieties flowering include the viridiflora tulips spring green and flaming spring green and the wonderfully scented lily-flowering tulip ballerina.
Take a look at our unusual collections
A la Ronde has thousands of artefacts on display for you to enjoy when you visit. These objects can also now be viewed online.
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