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Coleton Fishacre
A 1920s country retreat complete with tropical garden by the sea
Brownstone Road, Kingswear, Devon, TQ6 0EQ
Opening times for 30 November 2023
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Ticket type Gift aid Standard Adult £15.40 £14.00 Child £7.70 £7.00 Family £38.50 £35.00 Family 1 adult + 2 children £23.10 £21.00 Group Adult £13.30 Group Child £6.65 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
Assistance dogs only
Assistance dogs only in house. Dogs on leads welcome in garden, shop and café
Dogs
Dogs on leads welcome in garden, shop and café. Assistance dogs only in house
Book shop
Outdoors themed second-hand bookshop in Seemly Hut, located in the garden
Plant shop
Cafe
Café Coleton with indoor and outdoor seating. Kiosk serving ice cream in summer
Shop
Car park
Please limit your stay to three hours for the benefit of other visitors. Overflow car park is available, plus additional coastal car parks within walking distance.
Toilet
Blue Badge parking and drop-off point. Poor phone signal. Accessible toilets. Some steep routes. Ground floor of house accessible.
Accessible route and/or map
Grounds are partly accessible, steep slopes, narrow paths. Map of accessible route available
Level access to shop
Shop situated in main courtyard near Visitor Reception with level access
Accessible toilet
Adapted toilets next to visitor reception
Ramped access/slopes
Designated parking
There are accessible parking spaces in our main car park. The main car park has gravel surface
Seating available
Drop-off point
Drop-off available at Reception, if required
Steps/uneven terrain
Induction loop
Transfer available
Electric car transport available between main car park and overflow car park.
Level access to food outlet
Café situated in main courtyard near Visitor Reception with level access.
Wheelchairs available
Two manual wheelchairs are available to use free of charge, if you know you will need one please call us in advance on 01803 842382 to book one as they are very popular
By road
3 miles from Kingswear: take Lower Ferry road, turn right at toll house. 6 miles from Brixham, take A3022 to Kingswear, turn left at toll house. Narrow and busy approach lane, reversing required - especially around busiest time of 1 - 2.30pm
Parking: For visitors to house and garden only. Parking charges: £1 per hour up to three hours. Free for members (please show membership card upon arrival and display car sticker). Mobility parking adjacent to Visitor Reception, overflow parking on busy days approximately 300 yards..
On foot
South West Coast Path within ¾ mile. Access from the Coast Path to Coleton Fishacre through gate at the bottom of the garden (only accessible when Coleton Fishacre is open). Please proceed to Visitor Reception on your arrival.
By train
Paignton 8 miles; Kingswear (Dartmouth Steam Railway and Riverboat Company) 2¼ miles by footpath, 2¾ miles by road. Restricted service - please check with operator for current timetables.
By bus
Restricted services from Paignton (Stagecoach 120 bus route) or Brixham (Stagecoach 18A bus route) to Kingswear: alight ¾ mile south-west of Hillhead, 1½ miles walk to entrance along the country lane (steep and narrow in places). Please check with Stagecoach for current timetables.
By bicycle
Bicycle rack located at the back of Coleton Fishacre property office. Ask one of the team in visitor reception to show you the way.
By ferry
from Dartmouth take the Lower Ferry to Kingswear and follow road directions (3 miles)
Planning your visit
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Visiting Coleton Fishacre with your dog
Coleton Fishacre is a three pawprint rated place. We love dogs and welcome you to visit with your pooch. Find out where you can walk with your four-legged friend at Coleton Fishacre and what facilities are available.
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Group visits to Coleton Fishacre
Coleton Fishacre is the perfect place to bring a group. Whether it’s for a coach party, school group or if you’re looking for somewhere to go with a large group, we can help.
Highlights
House
1920s country retreat of the D'Oyly Carte family. Arts and Crafts exterior, Art Deco interiors, servants quarters, sea views.
Garden
RHS-accredited coastal valley garden. Exotic plants, herbaceous borders and sea views. Bordered by woodland and wildflowers.
Scout point
Views over the rugged coast towards Kingswear and the Mewstone, an outcrop of rocks popular with seabirds and seals.
Estate
Access to South West Coast Path from the bottom of the garden. Routes to Froward Point, Coleton Camp and beaches.
Pudcombe Cove
Look down from the coast path to Pudcombe Cove, with 1920s tidal pool and changing rooms. The cove isn't accessible.
Café Coleton
Light and airy café serving hot and cold drinks, cakes, ice cream and light lunches. Indoor and covered outdoor seating.
Shop
Gifts, local produce and gardening accessories. Seasonal plants in the courtyard. Pre-loved gardening books in Seemly Hut.
Spotlight events
Christmas at Coleton Fishacre
Gather loved ones and wrap up warm this festive season as Coleton Fishacre presents 'Winter Tide and Time'. Open on winter weekends from 25 November to 19 December, daily Weds 20 - 24 December and Weds 27 - 31 December. Inspired by wintery days on the coast, the house at Coleton Fishacre is transformed to dazzle and delight.
New year, new walk?
Wrap up warm and start the new year off with a winter walk around the garden at Coleton Fishacre. The garden, shop and café will be open on New Year's Day from 11am-3pm.
Things to see and do
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Things to do in the house at Coleton Fishacre
Step inside the 1920s country home of the D’Oyly Carte family where Art Deco features, sea views and light and airy designs create an intimate atmosphere.
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Visiting the garden at Coleton Fishacre
With a climate as mild as South Cornwall, exotic and tender plants thrive in the garden at Coleton Fishacre. From formal terraces to woodland, the garden is varied and filled with year-round interest, and RHS accredited.
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Family-friendly things to do at Coleton Fishacre
Discover a host of activities at Coleton Fishacre to keep the whole family entertained and help you create memories together. What adventures will you have next?
Eating and shopping
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Eating and shopping at Coleton Fishacre
A visit to Coleton Fishacre would not be complete without browsing the National Trust Shop or picking up a tasty treat from Café Coleton.
Top trails
Trail
Coleton Fishacre circular walk via Coleton Camp
Enjoy views of rugged coastline via viewing points in lush woodland on this walk at Coleton Fishacre in Devon.
Trail
125th anniversary trail
This accessible walk in Coleton Fishacre garden takes in the best of everything: viewpoints of the terraced garden, woodland paths and stretching sea views.
Outdoor activities
Trail
Coleton Fishacre Ranger Run
Coleton Fishacre Ranger Run takes in dramatic coastal scenery, some tough terrain and interesting built cultural history. This 9km trail run follows the edge of Coleton Fishacre estate along the South West Coast Path.
Places to stay
The Chauffeur's Flat
A getaway for two in the gardens of Coleton Fishacre on the South Devon coast.
1 Coleton Barton
A tucked-away cottage encompassed by rolling farmland, just a short walk to Coleton Fishacre.
2 Coleton Barton
A white-washed cottage set within the grounds of Coleton Fishacre on the Kingswear Peninsula.
Higher Brownstone Farm
A recently refurbished former farmhouse, set within the grounds of Coleton Fishacre.
Crockers Cottage
A quiet Devon countryside stay with the gardens of Coleton Fishacre close by.
Compass Cottage
A cosy, quiet cottage in the woodland just behind Dartmouth Castle with glorious views of the river Dart, perfect for a peaceful, relaxing break.
Greenway Ferry Cottage
A riverside cottage complete with rose climbing walls and a contemporary interior.
Greenway Apartment
Stay in Agatha Christie’s former holiday home where you’ll be treated to views of the Dart Estuary.
Upcoming events
Event
Christmas at Coleton Fishacre
Embrace the chill of a winter's day by the coast with a magical and immersive experience this Christmas at Coleton Fishacre, 'Winter Tide and Time'.
Event
New Year's Day wander
Kick off the New Year with a winter wander around the garden at Coleton Fishacre.
About Coleton Fishacre
At the country home of the D'Oyly Carte family you can travel back in time to the Jazz Age.
This most evocative of country homes was built in the Arts & Crafts style, and is imbued with Art Deco elegance. A light, joyful atmosphere fills the rooms, and music plays, echoing the family's Gilbert and Sullivan connections. You can get an insight into 1920s life 'upstairs and downstairs' from the glamorous Saloon and the airy servants' rooms.
In the RHS accredited garden viewpoints give enticing glimpses out to sea, paths weave through glades past tranquil ponds, and tender plants from the Mediterranean, South Africa and New Zealand thrive in the moist and sheltered valley.
Coleton Fishacre received a bronze award for large visitor attraction of the year at the 2014 Visit Devon Awards, as well as two silver awards at the English Riviera and South Devon Tourism and Hospitality Awards.
History
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The history of Coleton Fishacre
Find out about the D'Oyly Carte family and the history of their country home, Coleton Fishacre. Discover how the perfect spot was chosen while sailing their yacht.
Art and collections
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Five curious collection items at Coleton Fishacre
Discover five curious collection pieces from the house at Coleton Fishacre. Learn about each item and how it was used in the home.
Support us
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Volunteering at Coleton Fishacre
There are lots of different ways to volunteer at the Coleton Fishacre in the English Riviera. Find out about the different volunteer roles and how you can get involved.