South Devon is packed with centuries of history, but visiting historic houses with a family requires a bit of practical planning. Whether you want to step back into the Middle Ages, explore quirky architecture, or stand in the holiday home of the world’s most famous mystery writer, these four National Trust gems offer fantastic days out within easy reach of Dawlish Warren.
Here is your insider guide to the best historic houses in South Devon, complete with practical details to help you get the most out of your visit.
1. Compton Castle: A Fortified Medieval Masterpiece
Located near Paignton, this rare 14th-century fortified manor house feels like something straight out of a storybook. Complete with high curtain walls, towers, and portcullises, it offers an authentic glimpse into medieval life without the massive crowds of larger castles.
- Highlights for Families: Kids can dress up in medieval costumes, navigate the maze of stone winding staircases, and play traditional outdoor games like skittles in the courtyard.
- Don’t Miss: The Great Kitchen, which features one of the best-preserved medieval hearths in Devon.
- Travel Time from Welcome Family: ~30 minutes by car (via A380).
- Local Insight: Compton Castle is still a private family home (the Gilbert family has lived here for over 600 years!), so opening days are restricted.
- Opening Times & Days: Compton Castle is open exclusively on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays through August, September, and October 2026.
- Parking & Insider Tip: Free limited visitor parking is available at the Castle Barton tea room directly opposite the main entrance (with an accessible drop-off point right in front of the main gates). The car park often fills up quickly in the morning, so we recommend planning your visit for after 2:30 PM for a much quieter experience and easier parking.
2. A La Ronde: 16 Sides of Quirky Family History
Perched on the hills above Exmouth, A La Ronde is a unique 16-sided hexagonal house built in the late 18th century for two cousin sisters, Mary and Jane Parminter. It was designed to house the thousands of curiosities and souvenirs they collected during their grand tour of Europe.
Inside, you’ll find collections of semi-precious stones, crystals, beadwork, pottery, paintings, books, and ancient artefacts from historical sites around the globe. Interactive displays bring the story behind A La Ronde to life, helping visitors get up close and personal with these beautiful but fragile objects.
- Highlights for Families: The extraordinary Shell Gallery – a circular room decorated with over 25,000 native seashells and intricate feather work. Kids can take on the indoor spotter trails to find hidden objects in the collections.
- Don’t Miss: The surrounding meadow and orchard trails, offering sweeping views across the Exe Estuary – perfect for kids to stretch their legs and run around.
- Travel Time from Welcome Family: ~35 minutes by car via Exeter – or turn the journey into a family adventure using the Starcross Ferry!
- The Scenic Route: Take the Starcross Ferry Across the Estuary
Instead of taking the 18-mile drive around the estuary through Exeter, turn getting there into part of your day out:
Head to Starcross Pier: Drive just 5–10 minutes from Welcome Family (or hop on the train or Stagecoach No. 2 bus) to Starcross Pier.
Hop on the Ferry: Take the scenic 15–20 minute passenger ferry across the Exe Estuary to Exmouth Marina. Kids love watching the boats and spotting estuarine birds along the way!
Onward to A La Ronde: From Exmouth Marina, it’s a quick 5-minute taxi ride or bus up to A La Ronde.
Top Ferry Tips: The ferry runs daily from April to October (weather permitting). Payment is cash-only on board (around £10 adult return / £5 child return). Note that access at Starcross Pier involves steps over the railway bridge, so pushchairs will need to be folded.
3. Killerton House: Georgian Grandeur & Outdoor Play
Set within a massive 6,400-acre estate near Exeter, Killerton House is an elegant Georgian manor complete with a library, music room, dining room, and grand staircase. Personal objects like photographs, books, and exhibitions of historic clothing make Killerton feel like the comfortable family home it once was.
Outside, the grounds offer a vibrant mix of formal gardens with flowerbeds, wildflower meadows, and sweeping parkland where wildlife like butterflies, owls, bats, and dormice thrive.
- Highlights for Families: Killerton is built for active kids. Beyond the indoor fashion exhibitions, you’ll find a giant natural play area, wooden play structures, treasure hunts, and open spaces for tree-climbing and picnics.
- Don’t Miss: The Chapel and the hidden Bear’s Hut tucked away in the gardens.
- Travel Time from Welcome Family: ~35–40 minutes by car.
- Facilities: Features a large courtyard café, farm shop selling local Devon produce, and fully accessible path networks for buggies and wheelchairs.
4. Greenway House: Agatha Christie’s Riverside Retreat
Tucked away on a wooded hillside overlooking the River Dart, Greenway was the beloved summer home of celebrated crime writer Agatha Christie. Kept much as it was in the 1950s, this is a proper, comfortable family home overflowing with books, family photographs, and travel souvenirs in every room. You can even view her wardrobe choices in her bedroom and see her grand piano in the drawing room (she originally trained as a concert pianist).
Outside, you can explore peaceful gardens, winding woodland paths, and an ancient WW2 air raid shelter down by the croquet lawn – all while enjoying spectacular views over the Dart Estuary. An immersive audio tour is available to guide you through the history of the site.
- Highlights for Families: The journey is half the fun! You can arrive by vintage bus, steam train, or passenger ferry along the Dart. On-site, kids can follow the woodland paths down to the Boathouse (the setting for her mystery novel Dead Man’s Folly).
- Don’t Miss: The National Trust gift shop stocked with Agatha Christie books and souvenirs, followed by a treat at the café or a picnic on the lawn.
- Travel Time from Welcome Family: ~45 minutes by car.
- Crucial Visitor Tip: Parking space is limited and must be pre-booked in advance. Reserve your space online via the National Trust website or call 0344 249 1895 by 8:00 AM on the day of your visit. Parking slots are limited to 3 hours per visit to ensure space for all guests.
Pro Tips for Visiting South Devon’s Historic Houses
- National Trust Membership: All four properties listed above are managed by the National Trust. If you are already members, entry is free.
- Pack for All Weather: While the houses offer great rainy-day shelter, the extensive gardens and woodland playgrounds are best enjoyed with sturdy walking shoes or wellies.
- Dog-Friendly Grounds: Dogs on leads are welcome in the gardens and parklands at Killerton, A La Ronde, and Greenway (check specific house rules for indoor guide-dog exceptions).
Make Welcome Family Holiday Park Your South Devon Base
After a day spent exploring medieval towers and Georgian estates, return to Welcome Family Holiday Park in Dawlish Warren. Located just minutes from the blue-flag beach, our park offers comfortable self-catering accommodation, first-class evening entertainment, indoor swimming pools, and delicious dining options for the whole family.
Ready for your South Devon adventure?
Browse our range of holiday homes or call our friendly team on 03451 656265 to book your stay today.