Quirky 18th-century, 16 sided house with fascinating interior decoration and collections
Summer is a fun time for families at A la Ronde. We offer a range of activities to keep the little ones (and sometimes the big ones) occupied and out and about in the fresh air.
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.
Last entrance to the house is 4.00pm.
| Gift Aid | Standard | |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | £10.50 | £9.50 |
| Child | £5.30 | £4.75 |
| Family | £26.30 | £23.75 |
| 1 adult and up to 3 children | £15.78 | £14.25 |
|
Group Adult
Minimum group size 15
|
N/A | £8.90 |
Most of our places run the Gift Aid on Entry scheme at their admission points. Under this scheme, if you're not a member you have the choice of two entry tickets:
If the place runs Gift Aid on Entry, we'll offer you the Gift Aid Admission prices. But it's entirely up to you which ticket you choose. If you want the Standard Admission instead, just let us know when you come to pay.
Gift Aid Admission includes a 10 per cent or more voluntary donation. Gift Aid Admissions let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid* — an extra 25 per cent — potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.
An extra £1 paid under the scheme can be worth over £3 to the National Trust as shown below: Payment of the additional percentage donation is entirely voluntary, so if you prefer to pay the standard admission please advise our reception staff at the till point.
| Gift Aid | Standard | |
|---|---|---|
| Amount paid by visitor | £11.00 | £10.00 |
| Tax refund from Government* | £2.75 | £0.00 |
| Total received by the National Trust | £13.75 | £10.00 |
*Gift Aid donations must be supported by a valid Gift Aid declaration and a Gift Aid declaration can only cover donations made by an individual for him/herself or for him/herself and members of his/her family.
Admission prices now apply to all visitors to the house, grounds and/or tea room. Free entry to National Trust members and under 5s.
3 Feb - 9 Mar - House: open by guided tour only Monday to Friday (first tour 11am) booking not necessary. At weekends during this period and 12 to 16 February the house will be open on a free flow basis. Grounds, shop and café: open 10.30am to 5.30pm, last orders café 5pm. Last entry to the house 4pm.
