Supporter groups in Devon

Two volunteers collect fallen apples in the orchards at Killerton, Devon — Volunteers collecting fallen apples | © National Trust Images / Ross Hoddinott

Devon has a thriving network of supporter groups, united by their interest in our projects and the places in our care. Volunteer groups focus on hands-on activities like coppicing, apple picking and stewarding busy events. Centres and associations offer a year-round social programme of talks and trips. Wherever you join in Devon, these groups are a great way to deepen your connection to local National Trust places.

Why join a supporter group?

Getting together with other National Trust enthusiasts, members and volunteers who feel passionate about the same things is priceless. Sharing unique experiences and finding out more about the places you care about is what being part of a local National Trust supporter group is all about.

From listening to expert talks and going on behind-the-scenes tours to taking relaxing holidays or restoring natural habitats in the great outdoors, you’ll be part of something amazing. Supporter groups promote and assist the National Trust’s work within their local area and raise money for conservation and development projects through all kinds of events.

The Exeter National Trust Volunteer (NTV) Group

The Group was founded in 1981 and brings together members from the Exeter area to support National Trust projects and events.

They hold twice-monthly work events on Sundays, with occasional evenings in summer when they help with stewarding and car parking for events at Killerton.

Exeter NTV Group help with gardening, footpath construction, step building, hedge laying, apple picking, snowdrop planting, woodland work and general maintenance tasks. They welcome all abilities, although a reasonable level of fitness is needed.

The properties they help at include:

Killerton

Castle Drogo

A la Ronde

Knightshayes

Coleton Fishacre

Bradley

Lydford Gorge.
New members are always welcome. For more information, to get a copy of the Group’s work programme, or to join:

email the Group

call 01392 495987

see what's coming up on their Facebook page

Adult and child volunteers at a family muck-in working on a hedgerow at Lower Halsdon Farm in Exmouth, Devon — Volunteers at a family muck-in at Lower Halsdon Farm in Exmouth, Devon | © National Trust Images / Steve Sayers

Honiton, Ottery and District Association

The Association pride themselves on their friendliness. Their year-round programme ensures that members who live on their own or are new to the area can meet like-minded people.

All new members are very welcome. For more information and to join:

call 01404 42081

Newton Abbot Association

Since 1983, the Newton Abbot Association has been supporting the National Trust by raising money for conservation and development projects. You don’t need to be a National Trust member to join – Association members receive an informative quarterly newsletter with booking forms for events and trips.

The Association offers a busy programme of events, including:

illustrated talks by guest speakers, from September to March

day trips from February to October to historic houses, buildings, gardens of interest and National Trust places

regular social events including an early New Year lunch and an annual dinner.
For more information or to become a member:

email the association

Plymouth Centre

Formed in 1967, the Centre’s members from the Plymouth area, South Hams and across the border to Cornwall continue to have a lively programme of activities. We keep in contact with local National Trust properties enabling us to inform members of events through our Spring/Autumn Newsletters.

Members are kept in touch by receiving Spring and Autumn/Winter Newsletters giving details of all up and coming events, plus news from local properties.

The Centre organise monthly Talks in the autumn/winter meeting on the last Wednesday of the month at St Peter’s Lutheran Church Hall Larkham Lane, Plympton. Recent topics include the History of Dartmoor Prison and a representative from the National Marine Aquarium. Spring and Summer sees the start of our monthly coach trips to National Trust properties and many other interesting places, all very well attended and enjoyed by our supportive members. If interested you can get in touch with our membership secretary details below
For more information on how to join:

email the membership secretary

call 01752 290437

Sidmouth National Trust Supporters Group

The Sidmouth National Trust Supporters Group was formed in 1974 and continues to offer a lively programme of activities. Anyone in Sidmouth or the surrounding area interested in the aims of the National Trust can join.

The Centre’s activities include:

monthly talks from autumn to spring on heritage and environmental topics

monthly outings from spring to autumn to National Trust properties and other interesting places

Christmas lunch at a Sidmouth hotel together, plus other occasional social gatherings.

New members are invited to a free coffee morning where they can meet the Committee as well as other newcomers. All members receive a quarterly newsletter with details of past and future events.
For more information or to join:

visit NT SIDMOUTH - Sidmouth National Trust Supporters (weebly.com)

email the membership secretary

call 01395 579716

Visitors make their way through the entrance into Castle Drogo, Devon — Entrance at Castle Drogo | © National Trust Images / John Millar

South Hams Centre

This supporter group covers the southernmost part of Devon, reaching almost to Plymouth in the west and Brixham in the east and going as far north as the edge of Dartmoor.

For more information or to join the South Hams Centre:

email the membership secretary

Date

Events

18 April 2024

2.30 pm

“PASSPORTS, ASSASSINS,

TRAITORS & SPIES”

Writer and accomplished speaker Martin Lloyd will give a dramatic account of how the actions of a group of assassins brought about a change in passport regulations; how the unmasking of a spy caused a modification in passport design and how, for one man, the passport itself turned into a killer. Come along to Kingsbridge Methodist Church Hall (top of Fore Street). £6.00 entrance includes refreshments.

30 April 2024

9.15 am

COACH TRIP TO GREENWAY(NT) and COLETON FISHACRE (NT)

Agatha Christie called Greenway “the loveliest place in the world” and treasured it as a holiday home. After lunch we drive to Coleton Fishacre, the D’Oyly Carte family’s country home. An opportunity to visit both the houses, gardens and cafes. Tickets £26.50.

20 May 2024

10.00 am

VISIT TO SOUTHDOWN FARM, NEAR MALBOROUGH

Join us for a morning visit to Southdown Farm to learn more about the amazing work done by Emma Reece and the rest of the South Devon NT Rangers and volunteers. The short stroll around the farm is arranged for late spring, when wildflowers should be abundant. Southdown Farm is about two miles south west of Malborough. Follow the road out of the village towards Higher and Lower Soar. After the Bolberry Cross turning watch for the sign to bear right to the farm (TQ7 3DU). Car-parking is available and there is no charge for this event.

13 June 2024

10.15 am

COACH TRIP TO SOUTH LEA GARDEN and TAMAR VIEW NURSERY, CORNWALL

First stop will be Tamar View, the well-appointed Cornish garden centre and restaurant. The afternoon will be spent nearby, at privately owned South Lea Garden, Pillaton, a new destination for us. With summer plants starting to replace the spring bulbs and clematis, this is a lovely time of year to visit and to enjoy the views. Tickets, including garden admission and home-made tea, £36.50.

2 July 2024

9.15 am

COACH TRIP TO A LA RONDE (NT) and BUDLEIGH SALTERTON

Our morning visit is to A La Ronde near Exmouth. The unique sixteen-sided house has a fascinating collection of treasures from around the world. At lunchtime we will travel just a few miles to Budleigh Salterton. Well known as one of Devon’s most unspoilt and charming seaside towns, Budleigh has many interesting independent shops and attractions, including the Fairlynch Museum and Arts Centre. Tickets £32.00.

31 July 2024

2.30 pm to 4.00 pm

CREAM TEA AT THE COOKWORTHY MUSEUM

Another local, joint event with the Cookworthy Museum in Kingsbridge, An opportunity to meet up with friends and enjoy a cream tea sitting outside in the very pleasant setting of the walled garden, beside the museum’s Farm Gallery. £6.00 for cream tea, with free admission to the museum.

30 August 2024

9.15 am

COACH TRIP TO TAVISTOCK and BUCKLAND ABBEY (NT)

Late morning and time for a stroll around Tavistock, always a favourite place to visit. After lunch we drive to Buckland Abbey, founded by Cistercian monks in 1278. Perhaps the estate is best known for having been the home of the famous Elizabethan seafarer, Sir Francis Drake. Tickets £27.50.

19 September 2024

9.15 am

COACH TRIP TO POWDERHAM CASTLE and TEIGNMOUTH

A short stop for coffee in one of Devon’s oldest seaside resorts before going on to Powderham Castle, the historic family home of The Earl of Devon. A chance to tour the castle and grounds at leisure, visit the gardens, cafe and the Country Store. Tickets, including castle admission and self-guided tour, £39.00.

To join and for tickets please email the membership secretary

South Devon National Trust Volunteer (NTV) Group

Volunteer groups help National Trust staff, getting hands-on with conservation days and weekend events. Activities range from footpath and step construction to planting and coppicing.

Roll up your sleeves and get back to nature with a great bunch of friendly folk in some of Devon’s most beautiful places. You don’t need specific skills, just a willingness to get stuck in and make a difference.

Volunteers meet most Sundays, but you don’t have to attend every task and can come along as little or as often as you like.

The Group regularly help at:

Cotehele

Antony

Buckland Abbey

Saltram

Plymbridge Woods

the south Devon section of the South West Coast Path.
Want to get involved or find out more? Get in touch:

email the group

call 01803 835251

Torbay Centre

The Centre was founded in 1969 and has over 300 members, who mainly come from Torquay, Paignton and Brixham. Funds raised from the year’s activities support National Trust projects locally and beyond.

Torbay Centre run coffee mornings, lunches, afternoon teas and dinners at a local hotel through the winter months.

In summer there are monthly coach outings to local National Trust properties and other historic houses and gardens.

Members have enjoyed Christmas shopping trips, visits to carol concerts at Exeter Cathedral, New Years’ Viennese concerts at Exeter University and shows at the Theatre Royal, Plymouth. There are also short UK holidays to places like Chester, Sandringham, Salisbury and the Peak District.
For more information and to join the Torbay Centre:

call 01803 314251