What are the 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

Poltimore House and Grounds

Home
United Kingdom
Exeter
Poltimore House and Grounds

Directions Website Contact the organisation

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 years 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.

28/10/2026

These absolutely fantastic pumpkins are on the way from Martinsfield Farm to Branches Cafe & Farmshop so don’t miss out on the ultimate pumpkins for carving and eating!!

26/10/2026

An amazing story accompanied by great food and drink - all at Branches Cafe & Farmshop this Tuesday (27th)!

Please join us for this talk by Claire Barker which should be really interesting and inspiring! Claire is absolutely wonderful and her Tale of Poltimore House is beautifully written - it will be fabulous to learn more about her creative process!

Branches Cafe & Farmshop will also be open so you can enjoy a beverage and yummy treats too!

24/10/2026

If you're looking for delicious, nutritious and warming food now that the weather is getting colder look no further than !

The Stilton & Broccoli soup is made fresh in house with broccoli grown by the brilliant Heather and Ed at . Our chef Dave is renowned for his chilli con carne which pairs perfectly with a baked potato!

Be sure to check it out! Also keep your eyes peeled...our latest winter menu is coming soon!!

22/10/2026

If you're looking for Pumpkins and Gourds then look no further than shop

They have a great selection that will work for both decorating and eating! If you do any pumpkin carving then please tag us as we would love to see your creations!

22/10/2026

Please joins us and our spooky friends for some Halloween Fun at Poltimore House and grounds and Branches Cafe & Farmshop . We can't wait to see you all enjoying yourselves!

🦇 Half Term Halloween Bat Trail
📅 Saturday 24th – Saturday 31st October
Collect your Bat Detective & Explorers trail sheet from Branches Café, then see if you can find the hidden bats in our Grounds! Learn amazing facts about the bats that live at Poltimore, and complete our bat quiz if you’d like to.
🎟 £2.50 per trail sheet · Quiz sheet free · A prize for every entrant!

🎃 Pumpkins & Paintbrushes Crafting Day
📅 Saturday 31st October, in the Project Centre
⏰ Two sessions: 10:30 and 13:30
✂️ Lantern & Mask Making: £5 per child (7 places per session)
🎨 Pumpkin Painting: £7.50 per child (7 places per session)
☕ Free hot chocolate for every child with a ticket!
All children must be accompanied by an adult.
👉 Book here: poltimore.org.events

Spaces are limited, so book early!

Please join us for this talk by Claire Barker which should be really interesting and inspiring! Claire is absolutely won...

19/10/2026

16/10/2026

Please join us for what should be a fascinating evening where we learn how .claire wrote her brilliant and innovative story of Poltimore House! She is going to give us real insight into her creative process which should be really interesting and enlightening!

Please book a Ticket on our website, the event is free - 27th October

will be open so you can have a bite to eat and drink while you listen and learn!

16/10/2026

Don't miss out on making your own painted pumpkin! Join us for our Halloween Crafting Day of Fun at Potimore House & Grounds!

🕥 10:30am or 🕜 13:30 pm

Each session includes a choice from two activities:
🏮 Lantern & Mask Making: £5 per child (7 places)
🎃 Pumpkin Painting: £7.50 per child (7 places)

☕ Free hot chocolate for every child with a ticket!

📍 Poltimore House and Grounds
🎟️ Places are limited, so please book early: [booking link]
👨‍👩‍👧 All children must be accompanied by an adult.

15/10/2026

🎃 Pumpkins & Paintbrushes at Poltimore House! 🎃

Join us on Saturday 31st October for a spooky day of creative fun for children! 🖌️

There are two different sessions to choose from, at 10:30 (morning) and 13:30 (afternoon). Each has two activities:
🏮 Lantern & Mask Making – £5 per child (7 places)
🎃 Pumpkin Painting – £7.50 per child (7 places)

You choose which one you want to do - you are very welcome to book on both sessions and do a different activity in the morning and the afternoon!

☕ Every child with a ticket gets a free hot chocolate!

Places are limited, so please book using the QR code on our poster or on our website www.poltimore.org/events

All children must be accompanied by an adult.

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

Website

http://www.poltimore.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Poltimore House and Grounds posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.