Poltimore House and Grounds

Poltimore House and Grounds Poltimore House Trust has plans to bring this historic mansion back to life despite an arson attack in 2024. We love doggies too! Details at www.poltimore.org

We have a lovely Café, and our 13 acres of lovely Grounds are free for you to explore. A few miles north of Exeter on the level land between the rivers Exe and Clyst, Poltimore House stands four-square and solid against a background of dark trees. Now encased in scaffolding and sheet metal it awaits restoration. Circa 1550 Richard Bampfylde built the first house on the site. Over the next 370 year

s the family enlarged and altered it, although much remains of the original Tudor house. The Bampfylde’s moved out in 1921, when the house became a girls school, Poltimore College and then a home for the WWII evacuated boys school, Dover College. In 1944 it was sold and subsequently in 1945 became a private hospital, until its incorporation into the National Health Service in the 1960’s. Since 1975 the house has had several owners, but is now owned by The Poltimore House Trust, a registered Charity. We welcome anyone who would like to help bring this historic house back to life as a focal point for communities, business, the arts and wellbeing - please contact us on [email protected]

You can also visit our delightful Cafe and Grounds - see https://www.facebook.com/branchesatpoltimore for more information.

Huge congratulations to this talented going lady who won our flower pot competition for the five and under category! Tha...
10/09/2026

Huge congratulations to this talented going lady who won our flower pot competition for the five and under category!

Thank you again to Steve McCracken Art for doing the judging!

As part of our celebrationson the 19th and 20th September is joining us to read her wonderful new story 'The Tale of P...
10/09/2026

As part of our celebrationson the 19th and 20th September is joining us to read her wonderful new story 'The Tale of Poltimore House'. We are so exited that she has written this new interpretation of the history of Poltimore House and Grounds!

Be sure to come and be one of the first people to hear this fabulous story on the 19th September at 12:00 read by the brilliant Claire who is renowned for not just her writing but the beautiful way she brings her stories to life when she reads! We can't wait to see her work her magic on 'The Tale of Poltimore House' on Saturday and we do hope you will join us!

You can book your free ticket on our website: poltimore.org/events/

Our next quiz night is happening soon! It's always great fun and a lovely way to meet new people too!Join us on the 18th...
10/09/2026

Our next quiz night is happening soon! It's always great fun and a lovely way to meet new people too!

Join us on the 18th September - doors open at 18:30 and the quiz starts at 19.30

You can pre-order either Beef or Vegetarian Lasagne (it's DELICIOUS) for £9.95
Quiz Tickets are £5
Max 6 people per team

There are cash Prizes
1st Prize - £25
2nd Prize - £20
3rd Prize - £15

Book your tickets on our website - we look forward to you joining us!

✨ What if the walls of Poltimore House could talk? ✨This Heritage Open Days weekend, please come and hear our stories br...
09/09/2026

✨ What if the walls of Poltimore House could talk? ✨

This Heritage Open Days weekend, please come and hear our stories brought to life by award-winning author and storyteller .Barker who has written us the terrific "Tale of Poltimore House" and you can be the first to hear it! 📖🌳

Join us on Saturday 19 September at midday for The Tale of Poltimore House — to enjoy this tale of a magical journey through 400 years of history, mystery and surprises, perfect for all ages.

There will also be Historical Tours lead by Janette Greenslade straight from Poltimore's very own House Archive and accompanied by our history timeline in the tent. Janette has been working with Poltimore House for 15 years - if there's anything you've wanted to know, now's the time to ask! She'll be taking small groups around the Grounds with stories to tell about all the different parts of the Estate.

Everyone on the tours will be given one of our brand new beautifully-illustrated maps

will also be open for yummy treats, you can also pick up some famous melons grown and endorsed by

Don't miss out!

📅 19 & 20 September 2026 | 10am–4pm
🎟️ FREE • Book via our website www.poltimore.org

Come for the history. Stay for the stories.

Congratulations to our winners of the Flower Pot Competition!Please come to Branches Cafe & Farmshop to collect your pri...
07/09/2026

Congratulations to our winners of the Flower Pot Competition!
Please come to Branches Cafe & Farmshop to collect your prizes!

Under 5’s -
FIRST PLACE - Anais Foster
SECOND PLACE - Theodore Cowrard

5-8’s
FIRST PLACE - Grace Pooley
SECOND PLACE - Aria Timms
HIGHLY COMMENDED - Indie Foster

9-12’s
FIRST PLACE - Tula
SECOND PLACE - Evan Horsley

Our Fabulois Flower Pot competition is being judged this Saturday! Please don’t miss out and make sure your completed fl...
02/09/2026

Our Fabulois Flower Pot competition is being judged this Saturday! Please don’t miss out and make sure your completed flower pots are returned to us!

Arson suspects to be prosecuted!In an announcement of great significance for the entire heritage sector in England, the ...
01/09/2026

Arson suspects to be prosecuted!

In an announcement of great significance for the entire heritage sector in England, the Crown Prosecution Service has reversed its decision not to prosecute the two youths arrested for the arson attack on Poltimore House in 2024.

The previous CPS decision meant that the suspects would face no consequences for their appalling actions, placing historic buildings across the country at risk of similar attacks. Now they will face Court proceedings.

We are most grateful to all those who offered their expertise and support, and to David Reed MP for backing our appeal.

Meanwhile, Poltimore House Trust continues to make steady progress in protecting the historically and architecturally significant structure that remains after the fire, as well as building an exciting new future for Poltimore House and Grounds.

Historic England East Devon District Council Branches Cafe & Farmshop

Please join us for our fun animal trail around our beautiful grounds! It's a simple and fun way to explore and learn wit...
17/08/2026

Please join us for our fun animal trail around our beautiful grounds! It's a simple and fun way to explore and learn with your children!

Here is how it works:

🔍 Grab a picture list from Branches Café
🚶 Explore the grounds and hunt for hidden creatures
📖 Every child gets a book at the end of the trail!
💷 Just £2.50 — buy online or at the café till
Don't worry if you don't spot every single one — you still get your gift, and half the fun is in the hunt! 🦊🦉🐿️

Pop into Branches Café to pick up your trail sheet and get started 🗺️

This week we've been welcoming children of all ages to Poltimore House and Grounds, thanks to a generous grant from Devo...
15/08/2026

This week we've been welcoming children of all ages to Poltimore House and Grounds, thanks to a generous grant from Devon Community Foundation. It was wonderful to hear their ideas for the future of Poltimore House - we've been truly inspired by all their creative imagining!

Thank you to everyone who participated - we loved having you all.

Today is our second Story Telling event! The first one was lovely and we are so excited to see what this group of young ...
13/08/2026

Today is our second Story Telling event! The first one was lovely and we are so excited to see what this group of young people come up with for the future of Poltimore House and Grounds!

If you have missed out then you have one last chance to participate tomorrow!!

📅 Fri 14 Aug — ages 11-14
🕙 10am–2pm

We do hope you can join us!

Address

Poltimore House
Exeter
EX40AU

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 3:30pm
Wednesday 10am - 3:30pm
Thursday 10am - 3:30pm
Friday 10am - 3:30pm
Saturday 10am - 3:30pm
Sunday 10am - 3:30pm

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