Step into spring with the National Trust in Devon: Events in April, May and June

Across Devon, National Trust gardens are filling with colourful spring blooms and houses are looking tip-top after their intensive winter cleans. There’s loads going on this season from Easter adventure trails and guided walks to art workshops and the The Very Hungry Caterpillar™.  

What’s more, every time you experience a National Trust day out, you help care for these special places for future generations. 

Here is what’s happening near you this spring, please check property websites for opening days and times:  

A La Ronde 

Orchids and Wildflowers of Orcombe Point  | Mon 21 April, 10-11am 
A gentle guided walk through the wildflower meadows at Orcombe Point, in Exmouth. An opportunity to see and learn about rare green-winged orchids and find out how the National Trust is looking after the meadows here to care for wildflowers. 
Price: Free. Booking is essential via the website. 

Arlington Court 

Wild about spring trail  | Daily until 4 April. 10am-4pm 
Journey around the grounds to discover the wildlife that calls Arlington home. Packed with fun facts, you can see how you measure up against a bird of prey, count mischievous mice, or take on the exciting rabbit racecourse.  
Price: Free (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.  

Easter Egg Hunt at Arlington Court  | 1-22 April. 10am-4pm 
Are you Team Easter Bunny or Team Easter Egg? Choose your side and face off with friends or family at 10 fun activity points. Try your hand at welly wanging, hula hoop hopping, egg spotting, or scrambled egg slingshotting. Don’t forget to keep score – we're keeping tally! 
Price: £3.50 per trail (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.  

The Very Hungry Caterpillar at Arlington Court | 30 April – 30 June. 10am – 4pm 
The world’s most famous caterpillar from Eric Carle’s best-selling book is coming to life in this fun-filled family activity trail. Follow The Very Hungry Caterpillar™ and friends around the trail as you explore the garden and grounds. Climb through oversized fruit on the lawn, race through a giant spider’s web and learn how to make grasshopper music.   Price: Free (normal admissions apply). Booking not required. 

North Devon Walking Festival | 12-18 May. 
Join us as we celebrate National Walking Month with guided walks taking place across North Devon at locations including Lorna Doone, Arlington Court, Heddon Valley, East Titchberry, Watersmeet, and Woolacombe. From entry level guided walks to more technical active hikes, get outside and explore the countryside.  
Price: Varies between free and £6 (normal admissions apply to some walks at Arlington Court). Booking essential. See website for details. 

Devon Day Craft Fair at Arlington Court  | Wed 4 – Sun 8 June, 10am-4pm 
Join us as we celebrate all things Devonian for our Devon Day craft fair on the lawn, showcasing all the wonderful local arts, crafts and goods North Devon has to offer. Don’t forget to stop by the tea-room for a scone enjoyed the right way – cream first. 
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required. 

Buckland Abbey 

A history of the Abbey through its art (guided tour)  | Each Monday in April and May. 2-3.30pm 
Join one of our knowledgeable volunteer guides to learn more about the artworks around the house. 
Price: Free (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.  

Piskie Easter Egg Hunt | 5-22 April. 10am-4pm 
Some cheeky Dartmoor Piskies have stolen our decorative Easter Eggs and hidden them around Buckland Abbey. Help us find the eggs and distract the piskies by completing the activities. 
Price: £3.50 per trail (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.  

Castle Drogo 

Pets of Castle Drogo trail | Daily, 10am-4:30pm 
Throughout the castle’s history, there have been many pets that have called it home. Can you find them all as you tour each room of Castle Drogo? 
Price: Free (normal admissions apply). Booking not required. 

Easter Adventures at Castle Drogo | Fri 4 – Tues 22 April, 10am-5pm 
Fifty years ago, the Castle was opened to the public with a flower festival of celebration. This year the gardens will be filled with flower-themed games and activities to find throughout the grounds. 
Price: £3.50 (normal admissions apply). Booking not required. 

“Weather or not” trail | Fri 23 May – Sun 01 June, 10-5pm 
We get some extreme weather perched on top of Dartmoor. Follow the trail points to learn more about what nature can bring to the moorland. 
Price: Free (normal admissions apply). Booking not required. 

Coleton Fishacre 

Little Acorns welly walks  | Every Wednesday during term time (2, 23 and 30 April, and 7, 14 and 21 May). 9.30-11.30am 
Explore the garden on a free under-five's welly walk with seasonal activities during term time. Come dressed for muddy outdoor play.  
Price: Free event. Booking not required. 

Monthly guided walks by the coast | Fri 4 April and Fri 2 May. 10.30am-12.30pm 
Join the volunteer walking team on a free guided walk every month. 
Price: Free event. Booking not required.  

Festival of Blossom at Coleton Fishacre | 1-30 April. 10.30am-4pm 
Wander the garden and spot all the different types of blossom in bloom at Coleton Fishacre. Indoors, there's a blossom and bloom trail to enjoy, and for some extra fun, try writing a blossom haiku or tanka poem with the blossom poetry cards. 
Price: Free (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.  

Easter egg hunt at Coleton Fishacre | 5-27 April.  10.30am-4pm 
Follow along the trail and find 10 activities for all the family. Come along and explore the beautiful garden of Coleton Fishacre this spring. 
Price: £3.50 per trail (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.  

Greenway 

‘A Story of the Seasons’ children’s book launch | 12 April. 11am-12noon 
Celebrate the launch of the new National Trust book 'A Story of the Seasons' with author Anna Wilson. Come on a sensory nature walk with Anna and have fun talking about what you find, see, hear, touch and smell, followed by a colouring and drawing activity. Suitable for ages 4+.  
Price: Free (normal admissions apply). Booking required.* 

Festival of Blossom at Greenway | 1-30 April. 10.30am-4pm 
See how many types of blossom bloom at Greenway. There's a blossom trail to follow, snap a seasonal selfie under the blossom archway or try your hand at blossom origami in the house kitchen. 
Price: Free (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.*  

Easter egg hunt at Greenway | 5-27 April. 10.30am-4pm 
Follow the trail and find 10 activities for all the family. Come along and explore the beautiful garden of Greenway this spring.  
Price: £3.50 per trail (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.* 

*If visiting Greenway by car, parking spaces must be booked in advance through the website. 

Killerton 

Easter adventures at Killerton | 5-27 April. 10am-4.30pm  
Follow the interactive play trail through the grounds and garden. Discover what Killerton’s wild creatures get up to in spring, and what do our rangers do to help make Killerton their home. 
Price: £3.50 per trail (normal admissions apply). Booking not required. 

Image: Visitors in the garden at Killerton  springtime, Devon National Trust Images John Millar.

Lorna Doone Valley 

Easter Family Fun Days at Lorna Doone Valley | Wednesday 9 April & Wednesday 16 April, 11am – 3pm  
Join us for a day of free activities and crafts at Lorna Doone, running alongside our Easter trail. The Buttery will also be open, serving hots drinks and food. 
Price: £3.50 for Easter Trail, other activities are free. No booking required.  

Blossom Display at Lorna Doone Valley | 5 April – 30 June, 10am - 4pm 
See a display of over 1000 crochet blossom made by volunteers and local craft groups. Enjoy a self-led walk around the Lorna Doone Valley and the parish of Oare to see what trees are in bloom. 
Price: Free. No booking required. 

Lydford Gorge 

Easter egg hunt at Lydford Gorge | 1-21 April. 10am-4.30pm 
Follow the trail around the orchard and find out about the hidden plants and animals of the temperate rainforest at Lydford Gorge.  
Price: £3.50 per trail (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.  

North Devon Coast 

Easter Trails across North Devon | 5 April – 21 April  
Join us for an Easter of adventure on the coast with trails across Heddon Valley, Baggy Point and Woolacombe. 
Price: £3.50 per trail. No booking required.  

Bug box building at Baggy Point | Thursday 10 April, 10am – 3pm  
Help us to create habitat for some wonderful wildlife. Join the ranger team and learn how to build a bug box. When your box is built for a small donation, you can take your finished box away with you. 
Price: Free. No booking required. 

Tractor Trailer rides, MorteHoe Museum  |Tuesday 27 May & Wednesday 28 May 
Explore the coast on a tractor trailer ride and take in the views across the bay. With two different trips to choose from, these safaris are a perfect way to enjoy the stunning landscape and wildlife that Mortehoe has to offer. Booking via the MorteHoe Museum, 01271870028. 
Price: Adults £8, Children 3years+ £4, Under 3’s free. Booking essential.  

Image: Silent disco beach clean at Woolacombe Beach Devon, National Trust Images Arnhel de Serra.

Overbeck’s Garden 

Garden Tours  | Every Wednesday, March to October, 2pm  
Join a member of the garden team and explore the subtropical terraces at Overbeck’s. Pick up some gardening tips and learn about plants from around the world.  
Price: £5pp (normal admission applies). Booking essential via website 

A garden postcard painting experience | Thursday 17 April, 10.30am-12.30pm 
Ellie Verrecchia, a local artist, will offer as much or as little guidance as you like on using a watercolour tin to create your own garden-inspired postcard. 
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.  

Rhillig - Folk Duo | Sunday 20 April and Monday 26 May, 1.30-3.30pm 
Relax in the garden with Rhillig, a local folk duo, as they perform traditional folk tunes against the backdrop of the subtropical planting and coastal views.  
Price: Free (normal admission applies), booking not required. 

Branscombe, East Devon Countryside 

Manor Mill Open Afternoons | Each Sunday and Wednesday from 6 April, throughout April, May and June. 2-5pm  
Step back in time and immerse yourself in the rich history of Manor Mill, a working Victorian watermill that brings the past vividly to life. Feel the power of the water as it drives the great millstones, grinding grain into flour just as it did 150 years ago, and experience the sights, sounds, and vibrations that were once the backdrop to a miller's daily life.  
Price: Free. Booking not required. 

Branscombe Heritage Guided Walk | Sunday 25 May. 2-3.30pm 
Hear about shipwrecks, smuggling and stories of the shops and trades that used to fill the bustling village streets in a 1.5km guided circular walk through part of the beautiful village of Branscombe. A gentle amble through this region takes in some true rarities, such as a thatched forge, and a watermill in superb condition. The walk also includes a look at the wildlife of the valley and some stunning coastal views.   
Price: Free. Booking essential via website.