Heritage Britain

Places to Visit in Dartmouth, Devon

Coleton Fishacre<br>NATIONAL TRUST, Dartmouth

Coleton Fishacre
NATIONAL TRUST

The National Trust
Coleton Fishacr
Brownstone Road
Dartmouth
Devon
TQ6 0EQ
Tel: +44(0)1803 752466
Fax: +44(0)1803 753017

Coleton Fishacre
NATIONAL TRUST online: information and bookings

Coleton Fishacre is a house at the head of a secluded Devon combe, within a 24 acre garden, and set amid the beautiful scenery of the South Devon coastline.

It was built for Rupert and Lady Dorothy D’Oyly Carte to a design by Oswald Milne, an assistant to Sir Edwin Lutyens, in 1925/6 and is of a type unrepresented by National Trust houses open to the public. Milne’s inspiration came from the Arts and Crafts architects of the 1890’s, who believed in simplicity of design reinforced by the highest standards of craftsmanship using local materials where possible.

Inside the house understated Art Deco motifs, many of which survive, were used in the creation of elegant yet comfortable spaces, united by the recurring themes of garden and sea. It is intended to recreate the feel of the rooms guided by early Country Life photographs of the interior which reveal the eclectic mix of furnishings favoured by Rupert and Lady Dorothy, generating the relaxed atmosphere in the house so apparent to visitors today.

The relationship between the house and garden is especially intimate, linked in time of design and style, and physically through views from the house and the intermediate areas of the loggia and terraces. Some of the design influences can be discerned in the garden, all carefully blended to form a harmonious whole.

The garden, from the formal features and borders around the house, descends from open views at the head of the narrow combe through increasingly jungle-like vegetation, following the course of the stream to Pudcombe Cove. With the mild climate, acidic soil and ample moisture in the secluded valley, plants from around the world thrive, which aided the D’Oyly Cartes in their enthusiastic development of the garden from its green field site in 1923. Today the NT continues with this tradition of experimentation and development.

Facilities
Historic House, Gardens, Car Park, Private Group Tours, School Tours Available, tea room, small shop, plant sales, parking, disabled facilities, special events.

In case of alteration, please check prices, opening times and any specific important information before booking or visiting

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NATIONAL TRUST

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