Around Exeter

Country house estates and glorious Devon gardens, quirky homes and stories to uncover

Places to visit

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Ideas for family days out this summer

Child hula hooping

Summer holiday days out around Exeter 

Looking for something to do with the family during the summer holidays? There's all sorts of things happening at places around Exeter, from rockpooling on beautiful beaches to woodland trails and play areas.

Children walking in the rain

Rainy day adventures near Exeter 

Even when it's raining, there's still lots of places full of treasures to explore around Exeter. With children’s trails, costumes and events, you can uncover hidden history everywhere.

Climb a tree

50 things around Exeter 

Have a few more things on your 50 things list to tick off? Let us help you out.

Gardens, walks and perfect picnics

Summer fowers

Summer gardens in Exeter and beyond 

Escape to some of the area's most loved gardens this summer.

Visitor walking dogs on a footbridge over the River Teign on the estate at Castle Drogo, Devon.

Exeter's top summer strolls 

Explore the Exeter area on foot with one of our classic walks, experiencing river gorges, parkland, estuary views and abundant wildlife.

Picnic on the grass by an apple tree

Perfect picnic spots in the Exeter area 

There's nothing better than a summer picnic in a beautiful location - here are some of our favourite places for an al-fresco bite.

Killerton's slighlty sparkling cider

Killerton's cider wins Overall Drinks Winner at Fine Food Awards 

For the second year running, the Killerton Estate has won the Overall Drinks Award for its Medium Sparkling Cider at the national Fine Food Awards. There are over 50 acres of orchards on the estate which are home to over 100 traditional apple varieties including the oddly named ‘Slack-ma-girdle’ and ‘Hangy Down’ varieties.

Find out more about the Killerton orchards
Kingston Lacy in Wimborne, Dorset

Find a place to visit 

Discover somewhere to visit using our search. In the South West you're never far from somewhere to explore.

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Laura and George Ridding and Sylvia Pankhurst portrait images

Faces of Change: Votes for Women 

Rare portraits of Devon women who were influential in the suffrage campaign will be on display at Killerton from August to October. In partnership with the National Portrait Gallery, an incredible array of photographs and paintings are being displayed at Killerton in Devon celebrating key figures in the national campaign for women’s suffrage.

Find out more
A ranger guides a father and daughter rockpooling at Wembury, South Devon

Find an event 

Places in the South West host everything from guided house tours and ranger days to walks and runs.

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Ideas for mindfulness and well being

The Keep of Corfe Castle, Dorset

Drawing is something we did at school isn’t it? Do we still need to draw? What use is it? 

Give drawing a go and you may discover that it is good for you. It is a unique expression of yourself and teaches you to see in a new way: to question the detail and to interpret your surroundings.

Walking on the South West Coast Path

Five digital detox ideas to keep you off your phone in the South West 

In an increasingly digital world, it's hard to disconnect. Here are some ideas to get you in the great outdoors, and keep you active and distracted from your phone.

Running on St Ives beach

Wild running in the South West 

Jen and Sim Benson are two dedicated runners who love to explore the country on a run. Here they've shared some of their top tips with us, and favourite National Trust routes.

Upcoming events

See all events
Knightshayes

Amazing maze quest

Wed 15 Aug 2018
10:00-17:00
Navigate your way through the school holidays solving our mazes, games and puzzles. This includes a labyrinth and the chance to really challenge yourself on our immersive rope maze.
A la Ronde

Summer holiday school trail

Wed 15 Aug 2018
10:30-16:30
Take a peek into history. Did you know that children used to write with chalk on slates? Follow the trail around the grounds, find the answers and win a prize. £2 per child.
Killerton

Votes for Women?

Wed 15 Aug 2018
11:00-17:00
As part of the National Trust's Women and Power programme for 2018, we are celebrating 100 years of women getting the vote by telling two stories of women from Killerton and their roles at the heart of the fight for votes for women, on opposing...
Killerton

Faces of change: Votes for Women

Wed 15 Aug 2018
11:00-17:00
In partnership with the National Portrait Gallery an exhibition supporting the celebration of 100 years since women got the right to vote comes to Killerton.
Castle Drogo

Changing times trail

Wed 15 Aug 2018
11:00-16:00
Hunt for the clues around the garden and grounds to help you answer the questions and claim your prize. (£1 per trail, normal admission applies).
Knightshayes

Golf, gardens and guides: Joyce, Lady Amory's story

Wed 15 Aug 2018
11:00-17:00
Joyce, Lady Amory, the last member of the family to live at Knightshayes, left a tremendous legacy. Join us to discover the trail she blazed in women's golf in the 1920s and her role in creating the stunning famous garden here.

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