Kelly House
Reflecting the changing fortunes of the Devon squirearchy, for approaching a millennium the family home of the Kellys.
Kelly, Lifton, Devon, PL16 0HH
Facilities
-
Accessible parking
-
Cafe / restaurant
-
Free parking
-
Garden only
-
Pet friendly
- Accessible parking
- Wheelchair ramps/routes
Kelly House in its many guises has been home to the Kelly family for over 900 years and reflects the lives of a Devon Squirearchy.
The present house was developed around a medieval hall which was extended through the 16th and 17th-centuries. In 1742 Arthur Kelly was prosperous and confident enough to add the present elegant Georgian house with its fine view.
Invitation to View visitors will see the oldest part of the Tudor house, ground floor of the Georgian house, the Victorian games room, and one of the renovated bed and breakfast rooms, and enjoy tea and cake with the family. The church and grounds are open for visitors to look around.
Investigate the perilous aspect of an English country garden.
A trail to discover over 50 common, beautiful & dangerous plants from Monkshood to Courgette.
All will harm you some could kill you.
Tea, Coffee & Cakes available in the tea room.
(We promise not to put flowers on the cakes!)
Tours that are scheduled will be listed below. If none are scheduled yet, please check back later, or find other tours you might enjoy on our tours listing page here.
Please note: The information on the Historic Houses website is advisory, but please always check the website of the house or garden you intend to visit before travelling.
Open every Sunday & Monday from 6th April until Monday 7th July
Poison in the Garden
£6 per adult; children under 14 free.
Members of Historic Houses enjoy ‘Poison in the Garden’ admission for free.
No pre-booking required.
Dogs are welcome on a lead.
Invitation to View house tours
See tour dates below. £20 including tea & cake
Other catering negotiated.
Other events generally £5 per adult, children free, entry often split with a charity.
Poison in the Garden Tours are available to book from £15 per person
Join the creator of Poison in the Garden at Kelly House for a two hour tour of the grounds. Explore the poisonous side of an historic English garden, with over 50 deadly and dangerous plants from Monkshood to – believe it or not – courgette.
The tour is followed by tea and cake in the Tudor kitchen, if you are brave enough.
Tours are available for groups of 10-25 for Poison in the Garden. There are over 50 poisonous plants listed in the garden, and still more to discover.
A tour generally takes about an hour and consists of the exterior and ground floor of the house, and contains detail of the history of the buildings and the family. Should your members have an interest in any particular aspect please let us know and we will see what information we have available.
We can manage a maximum of 25 people on a tour. Should your numbers exceed this we would need to split the group in two.
We have limited facilities for disabled people. We have ramps available for access to the ground floor of the house, and the tea room, which also has a large threshold on its approach. We have no auditory or visual aids at present. Particular dietary needs could be met with prior notice.
Charges
£20 per person, with a minimum fee of £200. This would include a cup of tea or coffee and biscuits. Other refreshment could be provided if required at an additional cost.
- Accessible parking
- Wheelchair ramps/routes
Getting here
Kelly, Lifton, Devon, PL16 0HH
We are situated in the parish of Kelly, some 4 miles south of the A30 dual carriageway close to Devon’s western border with Cornwall, near Lifton. Our website has detailed directions from Exeter and Cornwall via the A30
No access by public transport.
What3words: ///frog.tastier.dynasties
Become a Historic Houses member
Explore the nation’s heritage from just £68 per year.
Hundreds of the most beautiful historic houses, castles, and gardens across Britain offer our members free entry.
Also: receive a quarterly magazine, enjoy monthly online lectures, get exclusive invitations to buy tickets for behind-the-scenes tours, and take up a range of special offers on holidays, books, and other products you might like.
