Brownstone Road, Kingswear, near Dartmouth, Devon, TQ6 0EQ
Coleton Fishacre
Historic estate
Place photograph
7.0
Wildland
Half day
Time
Paid
Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
7.0A Jazz Age country retreat tucked into a sheltered Devon valley, where Arts and Crafts architecture, Art Deco interiors and terraced gardens meet the South Devon coast.
Coleton Fishacre brings together a distinctive 1920s house, a substantial coastal garden and woodland paths in a sheltered valley. Its character comes from the meeting of cultivated garden and South Devon landscape, with coastal walking extending the day beyond the house.
Atmospheric · Romantic · Peaceful
Find your way
Open mapBrownstone Road, Kingswear, near Dartmouth, Devon, TQ6 0EQ
Opening map…
Know this place a little better?
The experience
Explore the 1920s house and its Art Deco interiors, wander the terraced garden and woodland paths, and, if you want a longer outing, connect with coastal walking nearby. Check current route closures and property access before setting out.
Things to do
Explore the 1920s country house
Tour the Arts and Crafts house and look for the Art Deco character of its interiors. The National Trust currently reports some house areas closed; check the latest notice before visiting.
1 hour
Walk the terraced garden
Follow the garden paths through terraced borders and woodland, taking in the sheltered valley setting and coastal outlooks where accessible.
1–2 hours
Continue onto a coastal walk
A published circular route links the Coleton Fishacre area with Kingswear, the Dart Estuary and Froward Point. Check current route conditions and closures before setting out; the National Trust currently reports the route to Scout Point closed.
Full day
Make a day of it
Quick escape · 1–2 hours
Quick escape: house and garden highlights
- 01
Visit the house and notice its Arts and Crafts design and Art Deco interiors.
- 02
Take a garden walk through the terraced planting and woodland paths.
- 03
Check on arrival which house areas and garden routes are open.
Half day · Half day
Make a half day of it: house, garden and coast
- 01
Explore the house and its Art Deco interiors.
- 02
Spend time among the terraced garden and woodland paths.
- 03
Take a break at Café Coleton, if open.
- 04
If current access allows and you are prepared for coastal walking, connect with a nearby South West Coast Path route.
Full Wildland day · Full day
Full Wildland day: estate and South Devon coastal walk
- 01
Begin with the house and garden, checking current closures and route information.
- 02
Continue on a coastal walk in the Coleton Fishacre and Kingswear area; one published route describes a six-mile circuit linking the area with Kingswear, the Dart Estuary and Froward Point.
- 03
Plan the longer walk around current conditions, daylight and your ability to manage steep paths; do not assume that the route to Scout Point is open.
- 04
Return to the property only if its opening hours and parking arrangements suit your plan.
Verified history
Coleton Fishacre was built as a country retreat for the D’Oyly Carte family. The supplied sources describe the house as a 1920s Arts and Crafts design with Art Deco interiors; the local tourism source says it was finished in 1926. The National Trust describes it as a historic house and garden. The supplied material does not establish further biographical detail about the family or architect.
Hidden details
Look closely at the house’s contrasting styles — Notice how the Arts and Crafts exterior and Art Deco interior character come together in a single 1920s retreat.
Find the garden bookshop — The National Trust lists a second-hand bookshop in Seemly Hut on Seemly Terrace within the garden.
When to go
April · May · June · July · August · September · October · Arrive near opening time for a quieter start; check the current opening schedule before travelling.
The property is presented as a garden destination, and the National Trust specifically highlights autumn colour. The supplied sources do not identify a particular peak flowering month.
Coastal paths and steep garden routes can be affected by weather and ground conditions. Check current route and access notices, and choose suitable footwear.
The route
- surface
- A narrow path with exposed bedrock is described on part of the route; other surfaces are not established by the supplied evidence.
- distance
- A published circular route is described as 6 miles.
- duration
- Check the route source for current timings and plan according to conditions.
- difficulty
- Steep sections are described; suitable ability and footwear are needed.
- route shape
- Circular, as described by the route source.
- start point
- The route source describes car parks above Coleton Fishacre as possible starting points; check current parking and access arrangements.
- parking start
- The National Trust lists parking at Coleton Fishacre and asks visitors to limit their stay to three hours. The walk source describes car parks above the property. Verify current arrangements before setting out.
- Coleton Fishacre and its garden
- Kingswear
- Dart Estuary
- Froward Point
Worth pairing with
South West Coast Path and Froward Point
A published circular walk links the Coleton Fishacre area with Kingswear, the Dart Estuary and Froward Point. Route closures may apply; check current conditions before setting out.
Café Coleton
The on-site café offers indoor and outdoor seating; check opening before relying on it as part of a day plan.
What to look for
Notice the contrast between the Arts and Crafts exterior and Art Deco interiors, the terraced layout of the garden, and the way the planting occupies a sheltered coastal valley.
The story
Literature
Best time to go
Spring to autumn; the garden is also described as colourful in autumn. Check current opening and access information before visiting.
Allow time to explore both the house and garden. Spring to autumn offers the broadest garden-season appeal; autumn colour is specifically highlighted by the National Trust. Check current opening times and closures before visiting.
How long to spend
Half day
Perfect for
Couples · Families · Dogs · Walkers · Photographers · History lovers
Before you go
Address
Phone
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: 10:30am-5pm
- Tuesday: 10:30am-5pm
- Wednesday: 10:30am-5pm
- Thursday: 10:30am-5pm
- Friday: 10:30am-5pm
- Saturday: 10:30am-5pm
- Sunday: 10:30am-5pm
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
National Trust property with a house and garden. The National Trust reports steep routes and uneven gravel in the car park; some areas and routes may be closed, so check current access information before travelling.
Check before visiting
Parking
Car park at the property; the National Trust asks visitors to limit their stay to three hours. An overflow car park may be available in summer, subject to weather. Check current arrangements before travelling.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Accessible toilets are listed by the National Trust.
Food & drink
Café Coleton has indoor and outdoor seating; a summer ice-cream kiosk is also listed. Check current opening.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Dogs on leads are welcome in the garden, shop and café; assistance dogs only in the house.
Accessibility
The source row reports a wheelchair-accessible car park, entrance, seating and toilet. The National Trust notes uneven gravel, steep routes and limited access to some areas; an all-terrain Tramper and manual wheelchairs may be available subject to availability and charges. Check current access conditions.
Check before visiting
Cost
Paid
Water
Sea
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Coleton Fishacre
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
