Stories from the Stones
7 Oct
Join Cotehele volunteers on an outdoor guided tour exploring how the house developed from a small medieval home into a Victorian residence. The tour traces changes made by the Edgcumbe family over more than 600 years.
Devon is a scenic coastal and rural county in South West England with historic towns, national parks, and popular seaside resorts, accessible by rail and bus.
7 Oct
Join Cotehele volunteers on an outdoor guided tour exploring how the house developed from a small medieval home into a Victorian residence. The tour traces changes made by the Edgcumbe family over more than 600 years.
7 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
An exhibition at Cotehele exploring tapestries and other textiles in the collection, including how they were made and their significance to the property’s history. Visitors can see items such as cushions and natural dyes, along with objects that have been stored away.
Cotehele is a Grade I listed medieval and Tudor manor house in Cornwall with extensive historic gardens, a working restored mill, and riverside quay, offering both indoor and outdoor historic experiences. It features original Tudor interiors, chapels, and has been used as a film location.
7 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
Visitors can follow a trail around the Parke Estate to find six large wildlife artworks created by pupils as part of an environmental project, and learn about the project and the featured native species.
Parke is a peaceful woodland estate near Bovey Tracey, Devon, offering scenic walks, a walled garden, riverside wildlife, and a café. It's ideal for outdoor activities, dog walking, and family-friendly exploration close to Dartmoor's edge.
Bovey Tracey is a historic market town in Devon on the edge of Dartmoor, known for its listed buildings, crafts, festivals, and outdoor activities.
8 Oct, 15 Oct…
A volunteer-led tour through the rooms of Coleridge Cottage explores the women who influenced Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s life and writing, including Sara Fricker and Dorothy Wordsworth.
Coleridge Cottage is a 17th century historic cottage in Nether Stowey, Somerset, where poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge lived and wrote some of his famous works. Now a National Trust writer's home museum, it features period rooms, a garden with wildflowers, and serves as the starting point for the Coleridge Way walking trail.
7–8 Oct, 13–15 Oct…
Visitors follow clues through Antony’s house and gardens to find ingredients for an enchanted potion. Halloween costumes are encouraged.
Antony House is an early 18th-century Grade I listed historic house museum in Cornwall, featuring fine 18th-century furnishings and a notable art collection. It is complemented by Georgian landscaped gardens and a large woodland garden with walking paths, offering both indoor and outdoor visitor experiences.
Torpoint is a planned town on the Rame Peninsula in southeast Cornwall, notable for its ferry link to Plymouth, historical roots, and naval training connections offering a scenic riverside visit.
7 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
Explore a fashion exhibition at Killerton featuring historic clothing and objects from its collection, alongside stories about how people dressed and lived. The exhibition also looks at how fashion history has been recorded and offers a glimpse into the care and storage of the collection.
Killerton is an 18th-century Georgian country house in Devon with extensive gardens and an estate including ancient hill forts and Roman sites, open to the public under the National Trust with historical costume displays indoors and scenic outdoor walks and landscapes.
10 Oct, 17 Oct…
A guided tour takes visitors through Dunster Castle’s Victorian kitchen and larders, with stories about the cooks, maids and other staff who worked there.
8–9 Oct, 15–16 Oct…
A guided tour takes visitors through Dunster Castle’s Victorian kitchen and larders, exploring the work and stories of the cooks, maids and other staff who kept the castle running.
7 Oct–1 Nov, 7–8 Nov…
Explore Dunster Castle’s refreshed display of seventeenth-century gilt leather hangings depicting Antony and Cleopatra. The display presents new research and examines the hangings’ craftsmanship and place in art and culture.
The Yarn Market in Dunster, Somerset, is a historic Grade I listed octagonal building from the early 17th century, originally built to support the local wool and cloth trade, featuring a unique central pier with timber roofing and marked by Civil War history.
10 Oct, 17 Oct…
A free weekly 5km parkrun at Bolberry Down, where participants can run, jog or walk a route along paths and the coast path.
Overbeck's Garden at Sharpitor is a Grade II registered Edwardian garden in Devon featuring a subtropical collection of plants, themed garden areas, and a historic house housing a museum with maritime exhibits and unique displays like a secret door and musical box.
Salcombe is a picturesque resort town in Devon known for its historic maritime heritage, sailing activities, sandy beaches, and charming waterfront, attracting tourists with its natural beauty and cultural events.
9 Oct
A guided garden tour led by the Head Gardener explores how Coleton Fishacre is adapting its gardening practices to support nature, improve habitats and increase biodiversity. Attendees can learn about the measures in place and get ideas for supporting wildlife in their own gardens.
Coleton Fishacre is a historic Arts and Crafts style country house with 24 acres of rare, exotic gardens running down to the sea in Devon. Owned by the National Trust, it offers visitors a combination of beautifully preserved interiors and scenic outdoor garden walks along the coast.
23 May–1 Nov (another 23 days)
A display at Saltram brings together two companion portraits by Joshua Reynolds and explores the story of ‘Jersey’, an enslaved boy depicted in one of them. Visitors can encounter historical research and conservation insights through audio, scent and touch.
Saltram House is a well-preserved Georgian country house near Plympton, Devon, featuring exquisite interiors by Robert Adam and a fine art collection including works by Joshua Reynolds. The estate includes expansive gardens and parkland, offering both indoor and outdoor visitor experiences.
10 Oct, 20 Oct…
A guided hike of more than five miles explores the wilder parts of Arlington estate, including woodland, riverside and parkland, with steep climbs and scenic views. Walkers should be prepared for uneven and sometimes muddy or slippery terrain.
Arlington Court is a neoclassical country house in Devon featuring historic architecture, period interiors, and a notable collection of horse-drawn carriages, set within registered Grade II* gardens. It offers indoor tours of the house and carriage museum along with outdoor exploration of the estate and gardens. The venue also provides dining facilities and activities suitable for children.
11 Oct (this Sunday)
Participants learn traditional English willow-weaving techniques and make a rustic-framed foraging basket to take home. The workshop includes instruction from basketmaker Sarah Le Breton and takes place mostly indoors, with some time in the garden.
RHS Garden Rosemoor in Devon offers beautiful seasonal gardens with accessible paths, a restaurant, café, and a garden centre. It welcomes dogs on specific days and supports group visits. The garden provides a diverse visitor experience both indoors and outdoors.
7 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
Follow the Mill Path from Cotehele Quay to learn about animals that hibernate over winter, with self-led craft activities around the Mill complex.
Cotehele Mill is a 19th-century Victorian watermill set in a wooded valley in Cornwall, offering visitors traditional craft workshops, baking demonstrations, and scenic outdoor areas by the Morden stream with wildlife. Dogs are welcome on the extensive paths, and food such as ice cream is available seasonally. The site blends indoor historic workshops with enjoyable outdoor nature experiences.
7–16 Oct (another 7 days)
Explore Greenway house and garden for writing prompts and creative challenges inspired by Agatha Christie and the surroundings of her former holiday home. Visitors of all ages can develop stories, draw ideas and add creations to the “tall tales” trees.
Greenway House is a historic Georgian estate on the River Dart in Devon, once home to Agatha Christie. Visitors can explore the house, riverside gardens with diverse plants, and the Barn Gallery showcasing local art, with connections to Christie's literary legacy.
7 Oct, 14 Oct…
Michael Bloom reads excerpts from Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s poems in the Garden Room at Coleridge Cottage, exploring the stories and landscapes that inspired his work.
Fairfield is a medieval and Elizabethan country house lived in by the Acland Hood family for 800 years, offering guided tours of its historic rooms and access to gardens. Visitors can explore indoor historic rooms on scheduled guided tours and enjoy outdoor gardens, with free parking and pet-friendly policies.
8 Oct
A seasonal gardening workshop led by RHS Rosemoor’s Garden Manager, featuring a guided walk and practical demonstrations of autumn tasks such as planting bulbs, dividing perennials and caring for lawns.
8 Oct
A guided walk through the countryside around Nether Stowey, exploring the woodland, valleys and landscapes that inspired Samuel Taylor Coleridge. A walk leader accompanies attendees on the route.
7 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
Visitors can follow a letterbox trail around the Parke Estate, finding five boxes representing species that Buglife is working to protect. Each box has information about its species, and participants can collect stamps along the route.
Canonteign Falls is a 90-acre estate in Devon featuring natural waterfalls, woodlands, lakes, and meadows, with family-friendly amenities including a children's play area, café, and scenic walks.
7 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
An exhibition marking 75 years of Buckland Abbey welcoming visitors, reflecting on its significance to the local community and visitors. Attendees can share memories and stories of the abbey.
Buckland Abbey is a 700-year-old Grade I listed former Cistercian abbey in Devon, converted to a historic house museum notable for its connection to Sir Francis Drake. Visitors can explore the unique architecture, museum collections, and extensive grounds including historic barns and gardens.
10 Oct (this Saturday)
RHS Advisor Ian Smith leads a workshop on the principles and techniques of crop rotation, helping participants plan vegetable growing for 2027 in a garden or allotment. The session takes place mostly in the Peter Buckley Learning Centre, with some time in the garden.
10 Oct, 17 Oct…
A free weekly 5km parkrun at Bolberry Down, where participants can run, jog or walk a route along paths with coastal views.
Bolberry Down is a scenic clifftop area in South Devon offering coastal views over the English Channel, owned by the National Trust and situated within a protected natural area.
6 Oct, 13 Oct…
Toddler Tuesdays is a term-time session for under-fives and their carers, with nature play, stories, crafts and gentle walks.
Fyne Court is a National Trust nature reserve and visitor centre in Somerset, featuring historic estate grounds with woodland, ponds, meadows, and remnants of a 19th-century country house. Visitors can explore outdoor natural habitats as well as indoor visitor facilities including a café and shop.
8 Oct, 15 Oct…
A guided walk around the A la Ronde estate, where a knowledgeable guide helps identify the fungi species found across the grounds. The event is not a foraging activity.
7–11 Oct, 13–18 Oct…
An exhibition about the 18th-century Grand Tour and the travels of Jane and Mary Parminter, whose journey through Europe influenced A la Ronde. Visitors can see travel souvenirs, pages from Jane’s diary and an original board game to play.
A la Ronde is an 18th-century, 16-sided historic house near Exmouth, Devon, notable for its unique octagonal design, intricate Shell Gallery, and beautifully crafted interiors. The site includes Grade II listed gardens and the adjacent Grade I listed Point-in-View chapel. Owned by the National Trust, it offers a blend of indoor and outdoor historic experiences.
Exmouth is a historic seaside resort town in Devon known for its long sandy beaches, marina, watersports, and status as the western gateway to the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. It offers Victorian architecture, walking and cycling routes, and a vibrant town centre with leisure and cultural amenities.
10 Oct–1 Nov (next week)
Autumnfest at Arlington Court features an animal-themed community scarecrow trail, autumn decorations around the grounds, and harvest and floral displays in the house and gardens.
Exmoor Zoo is a conservation centre in North Devon, specializing in rare and smaller animals with a focus on conservation breeding programmes. It offers outdoor animal exhibits including rare carnivores and birds, alongside visitor facilities including the African Café. The zoo provides an engaging family-friendly experience in a scenic national park setting.
3–4 Oct, 10–11 Oct
Killerton Harvest celebrates the estate’s apple-growing heritage with apple-themed games, apple pressing demonstrations, local produce stalls and vintage machinery displays. The programme also includes Morris dancing and live folk music, with apple picking available at Sparrow Park orchard.
Clyston Mill is a historic agricultural watermill in Devon where visitors can explore the mill's ground floor with level access, enjoy the adjacent orchard by the River Clyst, and experience a nearby scenic cycle path. Access to upper floors is limited due to steep stairs, and the mill features an original 1880 waterwheel. Entry is free for National Trust members, with a small charge for non-members.
10–11 Oct, 17–18 Oct…
A volunteer-guided tour takes visitors beyond the usual visitor ropes at Dunster Castle, exploring repurposed rooms, hidden areas and their history. The tour lasts about an hour.
Dunster Castle and Watermill in Somerset offer a rich experience combining a historic castle, working Victorian watermill, beautiful gardens, and scenic parkland with panoramic views. Visitors can explore the castle interiors, gardens with diverse plants, enjoy family-friendly activities, and visit cafés and shops on site.
9–11 Oct (another 2 days)
In this three-day botanical watercolour workshop, attendees learn drawing and painting techniques to create a botanical artwork inspired by autumn fruit and vegetables. The sessions include a visit to the Fruit and Vegetable Garden to see the subjects in place.
8–11 Oct (another 2 days)
Flavours of Autumn is a harvest festival at RHS Garden Rosemoor, with fruit heritage displays, talks and demonstrations, orchard tours, live music, seasonal food and drink, and family activities including drawing, storytelling and garden games.
11 Oct, 18 Oct…
A guided tour of Dunster Castle’s attics explores hidden rooms and corridors and the daily lives of the servants who lived there.
The Butter Cross in Dunster is a historic 15th-century market cross, a Grade II* listed building and scheduled ancient monument, managed by English Heritage and the National Trust, offering visitors a glimpse into medieval market traditions in Somerset.
7 Oct, 14 Oct…
Little Acorns is a term-time session for children under five at Coleton Fishacre. Families can explore the garden on a welly walk and take part in creative outdoor activities.
Brownstone and Coleton Camp in Devon offers a coastal outdoor experience featuring rugged cliffs, dog-friendly beaches, historical WWII battery, and scenic walking trails along the South West Coast Path with opportunities to enjoy wildlife and countryside.
6–7 Oct, 13–14 Oct…
A guided tour of Dunster Castle’s attics explores hidden rooms and corridors and the lives of the servants who once lived there. The tour involves climbing a spiral staircase.
Dunster Castle is a historic motte and bailey castle and 17th-century manor house in Somerset, featuring medieval gates, Victorian Gothic remodeling, and extensive gardens including a National Plant Collection. It offers both indoor and outdoor experiences as a National Trust property.
7 Oct, 14 Oct…
Join Overbeck’s gardeners for a guided walk through the garden, with insights into its unusual plants, gardening techniques and coastal setting. The tour is intended for everyone from keen gardeners to casual visitors.
Mill Bay in Devon offers visitors access to sandy beaches, coastal walks, and a wild rugged peninsula with ocean views and coastal paths. Facilities include a car park, accessible toilets, and nearby food at a local restaurant. Dogs are allowed with restrictions on leads in certain areas.
7 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
An exhibition at Castle Drogo revealing unusual objects kept in the house’s collection, including items requiring special storage and large objects displayed in custom-built frames.
Stone Lane Garden is a tranquil woodland and water garden near Dartmoor National Park featuring national plant collections, wildflower meadows, woodland walks, and annual sculpture exhibitions. It offers a peaceful outdoor experience with a seasonal tea room and plant sales.
7 Oct, 14 Oct
Join the gardeners for a short talk on a different garden theme each week, covering what is looking good, gardening tips and the work carried out by the team. Talks meet at the garden entrance and may include a gentle stroll around the garden.
Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park is a 28-acre wildlife sanctuary in Devon featuring live animals like meerkats and lemurs alongside animatronic dinosaurs, a dinosaur museum, a soft play area, and a miniature railway ride, offering a family-friendly mix of indoor and outdoor experiences.
11 Oct, 18 Oct…
A beginner guided walk around Nether Stowey explores the village associated with Samuel Taylor Coleridge, including his former home, St Mary’s Church and Castle Mount.
10 Oct, 17 Oct…
Killerton parkrun is a free weekly 5k community event where participants can walk, jog or run the cross-country route, or volunteer or spectate.
Ashclyst Forest near Exeter is a large natural woodland popular for walks, wildlife sightings, and dog walking. It features multiple car parks, waymarked trails, and nearby amenities including a dog friendly coffee shop at Killerton. The forest offers a peaceful outdoor experience for families and nature lovers.
7 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
Visitors can follow the Mill Path from Cotehele Quay to learn about animals that hibernate over winter, with self-led craft activities around the Mill complex.
Pentillie Castle is a historic castellated house set on the Cornish bank of the River Tamar, featuring extensive woodland gardens, outdoor pool, and indoor leisure facilities. It operates as a private hire venue with accommodation and hosts weddings and events in a scenic setting.
4 Jul–1 Nov (another 23 days)
Visitors can view a display of eight objects selected by people connected to Killerton, alongside a contemporary artwork by Patricia Dixon inspired by the stories behind the objects.
Fursdon House is a historic Georgian manor with centuries of family heritage, offering guided tours of the house, beautiful landscaped gardens, and a tearoom serving local treats. Visitors can enjoy scenic views, children's play area, and pet-friendly outdoor spaces.
7 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
Visitors can see inside selected cabinets displayed around Castle Drogo and view their craftsmanship and interiors.
Castle Drogo is the last castle built in England, located in Devon. It is a Grade I listed country house designed by Edwin Lutyens, featuring a mix of medieval and Tudor revivalist architecture. Visitors can explore the castle's interiors, formal gardens, and enjoy facilities including a café and shop provided by the National Trust.
7 Oct–13 Nov (another 35 days)
Explore an outdoor trail featuring 30 Pikachu cards illustrated by different artists, discover facts about the character and design a Pikachu trading card.
5 Oct–2 Nov (another 24 days)
An exhibition marking 50 years of the National Trust at Dunster Castle, featuring golden objects from the castle’s collection, including its rare gilt leather hangings. Visitors can also learn about the castle’s gift to the Trust and view a film presenting a virtual gallery of the hangings.
Dunster Working Watermill is a restored 18th century watermill in Dunster, Somerset, featuring working overshot wheels to grind organic flour, set within the grounds of Dunster Castle. Visitors can explore the historic mill machinery indoors and enjoy the surrounding outdoor area including the castle grounds and a cafe.
10 Oct–1 Nov (next week)
Visitors can pick up a free trail sheet and explore Arlington Court’s gardens and grounds, spotting scarecrows made by local schools, community groups and volunteers. The 2026 trail has an animals theme.
7 Oct–15 Nov (another 37 days)
Visitors can follow a sensory trail around the garden, moving through interactive installations inspired by the picture book and animation ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ as they search for the bear.
Dupath Well, near Callington in Cornwall, is a Grade I listed historic well-house built in 1510 over a natural spring, featuring distinctive granite architecture and medieval religious significance. Visitors can explore the well-house and its ancient water trough in a scenic outdoor setting.
10 Oct, 17 Oct…
A free weekly 5km parkrun at Bolberry Down, open to people running, jogging or walking the route, which follows a tarmac path and coast path with sea views.
Bolberry Down near Salcombe, Devon, offers accessible coastal walks with stunning sea views, historical Iron Age fort remains, and a remote sandy beach. Visitors can enjoy a level circular trail suitable for most mobility vehicles, with dog-friendly paths and on-site food available.
12 Sep–21 Oct (another 12 days)
An outdoor exhibition presents shortlisted photography and film exploring nature, people, places and environments, including the impacts of and adaptations to climate change. The exhibition takes place throughout the garden at Coleton Fishacre.
Dartmouth Castle is a historic artillery fort in Devon, built from the 14th century onward to protect Dartmouth harbour with significant gun batteries and fortifications. Now managed by English Heritage, visitors can explore both indoor historic buildings and outdoor gun platforms, enjoy scenic views, and learn about its military history from medieval times to World War II.
11 Oct (this Sunday)
Join a ranger and a local deer expert for an early-morning guided walk on the Castle Drogo estate to look and listen for resident fallow and roe deer, along with other wildlife.
Teign Gorge near Drewsteignton in Devon offers a natural outdoor experience with scenic river paths, ancient woodland, and abundant wildlife. Visitors can explore walking trails through Fingle Woods and along the River Teign, enjoying the beauty of the Dartmoor landscape.
11 Oct (this Sunday)
Help pick apples in Sparrow Park Orchard for Killerton’s apple juice and cider production. Participants receive a bucket and instructions, and can pick apples for as long or as little as they like.
8 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
An exhibition of Katherine Miles’s autumn-themed willow sculptures, made using Somerset willow and foraged materials from Dartmoor. The exhibited pieces are available to buy.
2 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
Visitors use the Stranger Folk app to follow a folklore-themed adventure around Lydford Gorge, guided by the Crone and taking on a mission to seal a rift between the spirit and human worlds. The app also shares facts about local folklore along the waterfall trail.
Lydford Castle is a medieval castle in Devon, England, historically significant as an early purpose-built prison and a centre for forest and stannary law enforcement. Visitors can explore the castle ruins managed by English Heritage and the adjacent Anglo-Saxon earthworks owned by the National Trust, reflecting law, order, and medieval authority in the region.
7 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
A year of events marking 100 years since the D’Oyly Carte family moved into Coleton Fishacre, including archive and contemporary photography exhibitions, a guided walk with the Head Gardener, and a 1920s-style Christmas party.
Bayard's Cove Fort is a 16th-century artillery blockhouse located at the entrance of Dartmouth harbour in Devon. It features historic military architecture with multiple gunports and is managed by English Heritage, open to the public for exploration of its significant coastal defence heritage.
5 Oct, 12 Oct…
Visitors take a guided tour beyond the usual visitor route at Dunster Castle, exploring repurposed spaces and learning about their history and the castle’s inner workings.
Gallox Bridge is a 15th century narrow stone packhorse bridge in Dunster, Somerset, crossing the River Avill. It is a Grade I listed building and scheduled monument, managed by English Heritage, and notable for its historic architecture and rural setting near Dunster Castle.
7 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
A display in Castle Drogo’s Study explores the origins of the castle and the work of architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, featuring plans, drawings, sketches and objects from the collection.
10 Oct–1 Nov (next week)
October half-term at Buckland Abbey features a nautical theme, with visitors invited to look out for sea monsters including the Kraken, leviathan and Sirens.
This charming garden in a quiet valley near Dartmoor National Park features a historic walled garden with terraces, medieval ruins, and diverse plantings including wildflower meadows and an arboretum. It offers refreshments and plant sales, with free access for RHS members on specific days.
9 Oct
A guided walk with a local foraging specialist explores Arlington Court’s hedgerows, stream edges and trees. Participants learn to identify local edible plants and poisonous lookalikes, as well as hearing about the folklore and medicinal uses of plants.
9 Oct, 23 Oct…
Visitors can drop in to the House Kitchen at Greenway to learn or practise crochet and help make squares for a community Christmas tree. Participants can also take a patchwork pack to crochet a square at home and return it for Greenway’s Christmas display.
7 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
Visitors can see a silk jacket worn by Agatha Christie's mother, Clarissa, displayed for the first time after conservation. The display explores the jacket's motifs and its place in the Greenway collection.
Little Dartmouth in Devon offers scenic coastal and countryside walks, including a circular path passing historic ruins. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views, wildlife, and a natural environment with an on-site car park. Dogs are welcome with some restrictions near livestock.
6–7 Oct
Visitors can take a guided tour of Shute Barton, a historic house near Axminster. Tours are offered in timed slots.
Old Shute House is a Grade I listed medieval manor house in Devon, featuring a 14th-century great hall with the largest medieval fireplace in Britain, Tudor expansions, and an Elizabethan gatehouse. Managed by the National Trust, it offers a mix of historic indoor architecture and outdoor grounds reflecting centuries of English history.
7 Oct
A beginner-friendly workshop introducing sashiko, a traditional Japanese stitching technique for repairing and embellishing fabric. Participants can learn simple running stitches and practise visible mending, with materials provided.
7 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
Visitors follow a GPS-triggered audio trail through Greenway’s garden, hearing a fictional story inspired by the estate’s use as a home for child evacuees during the Second World War. The trail uses the HistoryScapes app to explore Greenway’s heritage.