These are just some of the special places we care for in South Devon. We can’t wait to explore them more, share their stories and say hello to the teams that look after them.
Will you be planning a visit to South Devon in 2026?
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The front cover of the new National Trust family organiser looks familiar... 😍
That's right, the exotic plantings and breath taking viewpoints from Overbeck's Garden is the face of the 2027 planner. It's never to early to be prepared, and the family organiser calendar is a practical and beautifully illustrated way to keep track of busy family life.
While it's not available to buy at Overbeck's Garden itself, you can buy your own from the shops at Coleton Fishacre and Greenway, or the National Trust Shop online.
#NationalTrust #SouthDevon #OverbecksGarden
Which famous crime-writing author used this house as a countryside retreat for 40 years..?
The hidden treasures in these two houses reveal the stories of two of Britain’s most celebrated authors – and the expert teams racing to preserve them.
📺 Hidden Treasures of the National Trust is back for a brand-new series on #BBCTwo from 9pm on Fridays. Watch all new episodes now on #iPlayer.
The weekend is almost here, so if you need some walking inspiration, the secluded coves and far reaching sea views around Salcombe countryside are an ideal spot.
Will you be out and about exploring?
📍 Soar Mill Cove
#NationalTrust
2026 marks 100 years since the D’Oyly Cartes moved into their country retreat, and began enjoying holiday life on the South Devon coast. Inspired by a guest book entry from May 1926 titled ‘a long weekend’, we're recreating that holiday feeling at Coleton Fishacre and kicking off the summer with a special celebratory weekend.
There's cocktail hour between 12pm and 3pm on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 May, with a tasty sample from the Savoy Cocktail Book to indulge in, and plenty of seats to soak up the summer blooms and immerse yourself in the sub-tropical garden by the sea.
On Monday 25 May join local award winning producers @devoncovevodka as they unveil a new cocktail recipe just for Coleton Fishacre, the 'Golden Giggle,' and @swingout_swingdance for a pop-up Charlseton class in true Jazz Age style.
For full details, visit https://bit.ly/ColetonsLongWeekend. Normal admissions apply.
Image descriptions: A carousel of images showing a black and white image of the D'Oyly Cartes and guests, Devon Cove's Limoncello liqueur, people dancing in the a room, a garden bench with wisteria in focus and cocktail samples next to a copy of the Savoy Cocktail Book.
📸 National Trust Archives / Devon Cove / Lauren Hutchinson
Here in South Devon we look after many places with access to the water, from Wembury to the Kingsbridge Estuary and rocky coves around the Dart.
We're looking for a provider to help facilitate adventures for a variety of people, such as canoe expeditions up the tidal estuaries to packrafting hikes along the coast path, going off the beaten track to explore heritage and connect with nature.
If you have ideas for how you can create great entry-level paddle experiences at some of our most beautiful places, we'd love to hear from you. Please email [email protected] by 17 May 2026.
📸 National Trust Images / Ben Selway
#NationalTrust #SouthDevon #Paddlesports
📺 Hidden Treasures of the National Trust is back!
We're thrilled to be kicking off the series four at Agatha Christie's holiday home Greenway. Meet the team as crucial conservation work takes place on a fragile family heirloom and wartime wall painting, alongside Max Gate, home of author Thomas Hardy, where a delicate sundial is in need of careful repair.
Go behind the scenes with us and watch the first episode live at 9pm on BBC Two, Friday 15 May, or catch up on BBC iPlayer.
📸 Blast Films / National Trust / Lauren Hutchinson
Image description: National Trust Curator and Collections Officer at Greenway both taking a closer look at a silk jacket, and a conservator repairing a section of paintwork.
#NationalTrust #BBCTwo #HiddenTreasuresOfTheNationalTrust #BBCArts #AgathaChristie
This and not checking emails 😍
Here’s another contender for a 10/10 bench, located on the coast path between Wembury and Warren Point. But it got us thinking - how many 10/10 benches do you think are there in South Devon? Shall we find out?
Join us as we seek out all the 10/10 benches this summer, and if you have any suggestions for the next bench, drop it in the comments.
Video description: Walking towards a decorated wooden bench before turning to look at the view - lush green coastal countryside on a sunny day, with a mewstone in the distance.
In 2025 we marked 100 years since building work began at Coleton Fishacre, a country retreat for the D'Oyly Carte family. Well known in London's social circle of the 1920's, Rupert D'Oyly Carte, Chairman of the Savoy Hotel Company and Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company, and his wife Lady Dorothy, had been sailing their yacht the 'Content' along the South Devon coast when they spotted a secluded valley.
What a perfect spot for a holiday home, they thought.
The centenary continues, as 2026 celebrates 100 years since building work was completed. By May 1926, the furniture had been moved in and the family were able to begin enjoying all that country life had to offer; gardening, sailing and entertaining. Follow along with us this year as we commemorate the centenary.
📸 National Trust Archives
Image descriptions: Close up images of original photographs taken in 1926, including the finished front of house, the foreman on the front doorstep and a view of the gazebo in the garden.
#NationalTrust #100YearsOfColeton #DiscoverDartmouth #JazzAge
🐦 Fancy joining us for a morning birdsong walk at Coleton Fishacre?
Can you recognise the melody of a song thrush? Or spot your chaffinches from your warblers? Why not join local ecologist Dr Ken Neal for an early morning wander around the garden at Coleton Fishacre, spotting nesting birds and listening out for birdsong.
The birdsong walk is on Friday 22 May, from 8.30am-11am. Tickets are free but spaces are limited, so booking is essential. For full details and to book your place, visit the link to Coleton Fishacre in our bio.
📸 National Trust Images/Chris Lace
#InternationalDawnChorusDay #Birdsong #DawnChorus #DevonBirds #NationalTrust
It's the final post of our recently installed viewpoint benches, and this stretch of coastline near Plymouth has the perfect spot.
Positioned to overlook the rugged coastline that snakes beneath Revelstoke Drive, a former carriageway on the Membland Estate, take a moment to soak up the far reaching sea views and spot native wildlife.
These viewpoint benches each depict the landscape around it and feature the wildlife you can spot, with artwork by the brilliantly talented @mikelangman_art , created by Greenspace Designs Ltd and made possible thanks to funding through @southwestcoastpath .
📸 National Trust / Lauren Hutchinson
