Coleton Fishacre house

Imbued with Art Deco elegance, Coleton Fishacre was the country home of the D'Oyly Carte family. Step back in time to the Jazz Age as a light, joyful atmosphere fills the rooms and music plays, echoing the family's Gilbert and Sullivan connections.
Explore the D'Oyly Carte's country home
This country home was built in 1926 for Rupert and Dorothy D'Oyly Carte, who were inspired to make the beautiful valley running down to the sea the site for an elegant home. Here they could entertain in style and indulge their passion for the outdoors.
You get a real feel for their lifestyle of outdoor pursuits and entertainment as you explore the house; look out for the wind dial which indicated good sailing weather, and the bell on the side of the house which could be rung to call the family in from the cove at the bottom of the garden at meal times.
The house is open daily from 10.30am, with last entry to the house at 4.30pm.

Up-cycling the carpet
Discover what happened with the carpet in the house and how you could get your hands on a piece of history.
Soak up the Art Deco style
Inside, the house is dramatically Art Deco in design. The D'Oyly Cartes aspired to a minimalist design, which can be seen throughout the house in the use of pale rooms and strong accent colours, and a lack of adornment. On the room sheets as you go through the house you'll see images from Country Life published in 1930.

Five curious items at Coleton Fishacre
We've picked five curious features or items from the house at Coleton Fishacre and delved into a little more detail on them.