Swing into summer with the National Trust in Devon

Across Devon, National Trust places are alive with the promise of warm summer days, lazy weekend picnics and trips out with family and friends. There are loads on offer this season, from wildflower walks to garden and art tours and garden theatre performances to family trails.  

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 summer, please check the property website for opening days and times:   

Arlington  

Wildflower trail at Arlington Court 

Daily to 30 Jun. 10am – 4pm 

Find out more about the wildflowers that have been sown at Arlington, as part of the North Devon Grasslands project, on this free family activity trail. Journey around the grounds to learn about the life and importance of pollinators and the flowers that Rosalie Chichester, Arlington Court's last resident, illustrated over 100 years ago. 

Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required. 

Windfall: an exhibition by Bobby Mills 

Daily. 10am – 4pm 

A new exhibition which celebrates the wood of four windblown trees from across the Arlington estate following storms in 2022. This collection celebrates the wood of four windblown trees from across the estate, Ash, Oak, Sycamore and Lime. Each work is an intuitive response to the inherent character of the tree and often changes throughout the making. The exhibition can be viewed in our visitor reception building. 

Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required. 

Volunteering Open Days at Arlington Court 

Wed 7 & Sat 17 Jun. 11am – 3pm 

Drop in during one of our open days for a chat and find out more about volunteering at Arlington. There will be tours and tasters to give you a feel for the various roles you can get involved with. Become a Volunteer to help a great cause and meet new people in an amazing place. 

Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required. 

Arlington Court Garden Fate 

Fri 23 – Sun 25 Jun. 10am-4pm 

Join us for a special celebratory summer fate on the lawn, to mark 200 years since the house at Arlington Court was built. This event is based upon one of Rosalie Chichester's, the last resident of Arlington Court, own garden parties. There will be music, games, activities, stalls and more out on the lawn for all to enjoy. 

Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required. 

Adventures of Mog at Arlington Court 

Daily from Sat 1 Jul  

Join Mog, the remarkable cat from Judith Kerr’s beloved children’s books, on her adventures around Arlington Court. Pick up a free trail sheet from visitor reception and head out to explore the grounds and gardens, finding fun activities as you go. 

Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.  

Mini Gardeners Club pop-up session at Arlington Court 

Thu 10 Aug. 10am – 1pm 

Stop by the Walled Kitchen Garden between 10am and 12pm for a selection of free family gardening activities, hosted by the Mini Gardeners Club. For full details of activities taking place, please visit the Mini Gardeners website. www.theminigardenersclub.co.uk 

Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required. 

Buckland Abbey

Great Big Green Week  

Sat 10 – Sat 17 Jun. 10am – 4pm  

Join us for some creative and fun ways to celebrate nature across Great Big Green Week this June. Help decorate our Nature Joy tree in the barn, fly around our pollinator trail in the gardens and try out some yoga poses in the Cider House Garden. 

Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required. 

Linnet Workshops with Grace Coombes – Block Printing Workshop 

Mon 12 Jun. 10am – 1pm 

Be inspired by the beautiful surroundings of Buckland Abbey and create your very own block prints. Grace Coombes from Linnet Workshops will guide you through each step of the process from designing, carving and finally printing your blocks onto paper. This workshop is suitable for complete beginners and no previous experience is necessary. Come along and try something new. Share the experience with a friend or take some time out just for you. All materials included. Tea, coffee and refreshments will also be provided. 

Price: £33.Booking essential 0344 249 1895. 

Elizabethan weekend  

Sat 22 & Sun 23 Jul. 10am – 5pm   

Immerse yourself in Tudor life across this weekend with falconry displays, cookery demonstrations and much more to enjoy. 

Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.  

Summer of Play 

Sat 22 Jul to Sun 3 Sept. 10am – 5pm   

Join us at Buckland Abbey for a fantastic summer of fun, games and activities across the whole property. From Tudor tennis to dressing up, historical cookery to crafts, there’s something for the whole family to enjoy. 

Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required. 

History of the Abbey through its art – guided tour 

Every Mon. 2 – 3.30pm   

Each Monday at 2pm you can come and discover the history of Buckland Abbey told through its artwork. The tour will last approximately 1.5 hours. Please check the website to see if the tour is scheduled to be on for the specific date you are interested in attending.  
Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.  

Image: View of the Great Barn from the Elizabethan Garden at Buckland Abbey, Devon ©National Trust Images, Sarah Davis.

Castle Drogo

Hydro open day 

Sun 18 Jun & Sun 16 Jul. 11am – 3pm  

Come and learn about how hydro power has been used at Castle Drogo from 1929 to the present day. Guides will be opening the Hydro for visitors to come and look inside. To get to the Hydro from the Castle Drogo car park please follow the Hunters path down to the Iron Bridge, cross over onto the Foresters track and follow the path towards Fingle Bridge. Alternatively you can access the Hydro from Fingle Bridge by following the Foresters track for around 40 minutes. 

Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.  

Killerton

Taking action for our climate 

Wed 14 Jun. 6.30 – 8.30pm 

Join Tim, Countryside Manger, to discover how Killerton is responding to the climate crisis. Discover how we have planted 70,000 trees in one season, how we are helping nature to thrive in our floodplains, what it takes to restore the landscape at Killerton and how you can get involved in this great work. This ranger walk is approximately 3 miles and will take 2 hours. The terrain includes some short climbs, uneven and potentially muddy paths. 

Price: £7. Booking essential 0344 249 1895. 

Working Together for Farming and Nature 

Wed 19 Jul. 10am – 12pm 

Join Ranger, Griselda, to learn more about the agroforestry and wood pasture projects taking place on the Killerton estate. Discover the reasons for combining agriculture with trees. Learn about the fascinating varieties of trees that have been planted and how the projects benefit both nature and people. This ranger walk is approximately 3 miles and will take 2 hours. The terrain includes some short climbs, uneven and potentially muddy paths. Likelihood of passing grazing livestock, so unsuitable for dogs. 

Price: £7. Booking essential 0344 249 1895. 

Garden theatre – Sense and Sensibility  

Thu 20 Jul. 7 – 9.30pm  

If you’re eager to partake in the ups and downs of Regency romance, don your finery and join Heartbreak Productions for their open-air adaptation of Sense and Sensibility. Jane Austen’s biting social satire about sisters in straitened circumstances is sure to satiate your summer romance requirement. Pack a picnic, grab your chaise longue (or blanket), and settle in for this literary classic with a Heartbreak twist. Registered assistance dogs only. 

Price: Adult £15 / Child £10. Booking essential 0344 249 1895. 

Garden theatre – Bad Dad  

Sat 5 Aug. 6 – 8.30pm  

Join Heartbreak Productions for this warm-hearted tale that follows the highs and lows of a father-son relationship. An open-air adaptation of David Walliams Bad Dad is the perfect summer family entertainment. So, pack your picnics, grab your wet weather gear or sun-cream (or both), something to sit on, and join Frank and Gilbert as they navigate their way through car chases and convicts in the struggle to escape the clutches of the local crime lord and clear Gilbert’s name. Registered assistance dogs only. 

Price: Adult £15 / Child £10. Booking essential 0344 249 1895. 

Can you see the wood for the trees? 

Wed 16 Aug. 6 – 8pm  

Join Senior Forester, John, on a walk around Ashclyst Forest looking at how we manage our woodlands for both conservation and timber. Discover how we are responding to a changing climate, enabling the ecosystem of our woods to thrive and producing timber. During this walk we will discuss coppicing, ride management, timber production and planting. This ranger walk is approximately 3 miles and will take 2 hours. The terrain includes some short climbs, uneven and potentially muddy paths. 

Price: £7. Booking essential 0344 249 1895. 

Thirsty for Fashion Exhibition  

Daily. 11am – 4pm   

The 'Thirsty For Fashion' exhibition at Killerton explores circular fashion from the 18th century to the present day. Items from the National Trust’s fashion collection, highlight some of the techniques used to repair and reuse clothing throughout history. Work from contemporary designers and makers also feature, showcasing modern techniques for a more sustainable and circular fashion industry.  

Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.  

Knightshayes

Summer at Knightshayes 

Daily from 15 Jul. 10am – 5pm 

Join us at Knightshayes for a fantastic summer of fun. Navigate your way through our Maze Trail and challenge your family and friends in the outdoor games. Climb over and under in the rope mazes, get your thinking cap on to solve the maze puzzles and try various activities in the gardens. With this much fun on offer, there is something to keep all ages entertained.   

Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.  

Saltram

Reynolds 300: The Painter and the Painted 

Daily. 11am – 4.15pm. 

Saltram are celebrating the 300th anniversary of the birth of Sir Joshua Reynolds, highlighting many of his works on display here at Saltram and sharing stories of the close relationship he had with the Parker family in the 18th Century. Start your journey by picking up your free leaflet from the Welcome Centre and discover the man behind the portraits. 

Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.  

Summer of Play 

Daily. 10am – 4.15pm (Thursday art days 11am – 12pm) 

Join us this Summer as you start your journey as an Apprentice Artist for Sir Joshua Reynolds. Throughout the Summer, complete all the challenges, tasks, and activities inside the booklet to progress to become the Master Painter. Collect your sketchbook from the Welcome centre and discover the meanings behind some of the portraits in the house. Or perhaps head outside to the artists play area in the garden to take part in some lawn games?  

Every Monday and Tuesday at the artist area on the lawn, you can try on some historical costumes. Or join us every Thursday for a different themed art workshop, that the whole family can enjoy.  

Price: Free (normal admission applies) Suggested donation £1 for each booklet. Booking not required.  

Garden Tours 

Every other Wed. 11am - 12pm  

Join one of Saltram’s garden team for a tour of the garden. Discover more about the planting and history of the garden or perhaps pick up some hints and tricks for your own outdoor space at home. 

Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.  

Image: View over the Salcombe Estuary from the house and garden at Overbeck's, Devon ©National Trust Images,Chris Lacey.

There are also a host of activities taking place at other National Trust sites, including A la Ronde, East Soar, Lydford Gorge, Overbeck's Garden and the Sidmouth Countryside. Don't forget to visit National Trust properties across the South West for Summer of Play taking place from 21st July onwards. Find out more here.