Things to see & do
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The house
The house
Come and wander around this magnificent, glittering mansion.
Honey-coloured Montacute House is one of the glories of late Elizabethan architecture.
Its architecture is an exquisite pastiche of Gothic tradition and new Renaissance ideas.
© Montacute Staff
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The gardens
The gardens
Discover a garden that has moved with the times but remains true to its roots, where Elizabethan stonework is the mellow backdrop to flower borders bristling with colour.
Bold is beautiful when it comes to the dazzling flower borders that run up the sides of the East Court.
© Montacute Staff
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The National Portrait Gallery
The National Portrait Gallery
Montacute House is a regional partner of London’s National Portrait Gallery and has over 50 Tudor and Jacobean portraits on permanent loan. Take a stroll through the Long Gallery and come face to face with the Tudors.
© Image © National Portrait Gallery, London
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Wibbly wobbly hedges
Wibbly wobbly hedges
When you look at Montacute’s unusually shaped yew hedges, those of you with good imaginations will see a myriad of faces, creatures and forms - just let your mind's eye do the looking.
© Staff National Trust/N.Rogers
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A royal return
A royal return
A regal return to Montacute for a portrait of King James I. The potrait is directly linked to Edward Phelips, the builder of Montacute, and may have hung, in pride of place on the walls of the house.
Find our more about the portrait
© Staff National Trust/G.Paine
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Early kings and queens exhibition
Early kings and queens exhibition
One of the most important surviving sets of Tudor royal portraits returns to Montacute as a special display. Painted between 1590 and 1610, this lively and entertaining visual chronology of English monarchy includes images of rulers from William the Conqueror to Mary I.
Find out more about the exhibition
© National Portrait Gallery
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Scrumptious local food
Scrumptious local food
Enjoy an al fresco lunch in the delightful setting of the Courtyard Café. All our food is homemade at Montacute.
Eating and shopping at Montacute
© Montacute Staff
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Conservation in action
Conservation in action
Peak behind the scenes and watch the Montacute conservation team at work looking after the house and artefacts.
© Simon Harris Photography
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Seek out the swings
Seek out the swings
Discover the hidden swings in the garden and parkland. Swings are fun whether your a child or just young at heart.
© National Trust
The house
The gardens
The National Portrait Gallery
Wibbly wobbly hedges
A royal return
Early kings and queens exhibition
Scrumptious local food
Conservation in action
Seek out the swingsSpring into action
Join us for a full calendar of events throughout the year. Discover the Montacute swings, climb a tree, be a portrait detective and follow the garden trails. Enjoy outdoor theatre and music in the gardens.
Farmers' market
Buy all your great produce including, cheeses, cakes, bread and a variety of meats at this award winning famers' market.
Free entry to the market.
Fun things to do before you're 11¾
Come to Montacute and start ticking off your '50 Things to do before you're 11¾' list. Don't worry, you don't have to be aged under 11¾ to take part, it's good healthy fun for everyone, whatever your age.