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A la Ronde
Due to its fragility there is no physical access to the Shell Gallery. To view it up close with a virtual tour go to 'things to see and do' section on the website.
Summer Lane, Exmouth, Devon, EX8 5BD
Opening times for 27 July 2024
Asset Opening time House (Last admission 4pm) 10:30 - 17:00 Car park 10:30 - 17:30 Grounds 10:30 - 17:30 Second-hand bookshop 10:30 - 17:00 Takeaway trailer 10:30 - 17:00 MTWTFSS123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930311234OpenPartially openClosedHouse and grounds
Ticket type Gift aid Standard Adult £11.00 £10.00 Child £5.50 £5.00 Family £27.50 £25.00 1 adult, 3 children £16.50 £15.00 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
Assistance dogs only
Dogs (on leads) welcome in the grounds. Assistance dogs only in the house.
Dogs allowed
Dogs (on leads) welcome in the grounds. Assistance dogs only in the house.
Bookshop
With hundreds of books to browse. It is through your purchases that we are able to continue to look after A la Ronde forever, for everyone.
Kiosk
Visit trailer for coffees, teas, and a wide variety of hot and cold sandwiches and cakes. Enjoy your take-away under the trees in the orchard, or gaze out on beautiful views from the lawn.
Car park
Free parking for visitors visiting the house. Mobility parking in the main car park with two designated spaces.
Toilet
Toilets are available when the house is open. Mobility toilet - 30 yards from the car park.
Dogs on leads welcome in grounds. Assistance dogs only in the house. Free parking to visitors to the house. Mobility parking is in main gravelled car park, mobility toilet – 30 yards from car park.
Accessible toilet
Mobility toilet - 30 yards from the car park
Drop-off point
Drop-off point next to the visitor reception. Wooden gates can be opened by arrangement with visitor welcome to allow drop off near the house for those with mobility issues. Car needs to return to car park.
Designated parking
Mobility parking in the main car park with two designated spaces
Level access/terrain
Level access into the house. Access around the gardens and grounds is uneven underfoot. Accessible path in the meadow.
By road
2 miles north of Exmouth off A376
Parking: free. Caravans and trailers telephone in advance. Two hard surface blue badge parking spaces
Sat Nav: our postcode doesn't always work on Sat Nav, please try using Summer Lane to find us.
On foot
East Devon Way alongside. South West Coast Path 2 miles
By train
Lympstone village 1 mile; Exmouth 2 miles
By bus
Exeter to Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton, stops within ½ mile
By bicycle
National Cycle Network Route 2 is a route between Exeter and Exmouth, alongside the Exe Estuary. Towards the Exmouth end of the route is a turn up towards A la Ronde. At the top you will need to cross the main road at the crossing and make your way left towards Courtland Cross. Summer Lane is on the right by Haldon Motors.
Planning your visit
Article
Visiting A la Ronde with your dog
With a circular walk around our meadow, A la Ronde is a great place to walk your dog. Find out about dog walking at A la Ronde, including where you can go and what facilities are available.
Highlights
House
This 16-sided house was the work of cousins Jane and Mary Parminter in the 1790s, and where their imagination ran wild.
Grounds
Views over the countryside to the Exe estuary and sea beyond. Lawn, flower-rich meadow and orchard, with mix of old Devon apple varieties and medlar trees.
The Room of Discovery
Inspired by the Shell Gallery and designed by visual artist Monica-Shanta, this new sensory space gives people the chance to encounter, and appreciate, the fragile beauty of the historic interiors in a unique and accessible way.
Things to see and do
Article
Hidden Treasures of the National Trust
Follow the journey of conservation at the places in our care in a new series, Hidden Treasures of the National Trust, broadcast on the BBC. Go behind the scenes and hear from the experts and conservators who look after many treasured objects, including the Shell Gallery at A la Ronde. Watch the series every Friday at 9pm on BBC Two or on BBC iPlayer from 10 May.
Project
Project
Journey with A la Ronde
Following two years' work, a major conservation project has now been completed at A la Ronde. Find out more about the project here, which is the first step as we reimagine visitors' experience of A la Ronde, both in person and online.
Article
Things to see and do at A la Ronde house
Discover an enchanting 16-sided house filled with the treasures from two women’s travels around Europe, where every nook and cranny is crammed with curiosities.
Article
Explore A la Ronde with a virtual tour
Explore A la Ronde from the comfort of your own home by taking one of the 360-degree virtual tours created by the National Trust.
Top trails
Trail
Orcombe Point circular walk
This circular walk around Orcombe Point, the most westerly point of the Jurassic Coast, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers views over the Exe estuary and out to sea.
Trail
Parminter walk
Follow in the steps of A la Ronde's two spinster cousins, Jane and Mary Parminter, and enjoy a stroll around the meadow which is rich in flora, fauna and wildlife.
Places to stay
Forest Cottage
A fairy-tale thatch cottage in a magical forest setting.
Longmeadow Cottage
A thatch cottage with original features and a large garden, on the edge of the great Killerton estate with its 18th-century house, garden and parkland walks.
Mattress Cottage
A traditional thatch cottage stay on the border of the Killerton estate.
Broad Ley Cottage
A charming thatched cottage complete with open-beam ceilings and an inglenook fireplace.
Upcoming events
Sorry, there are no upcoming events at this place
About A la Ronde
This unique 16-sided house was described by Lucinda Lambton as having 'a magical strangeness that one might dream of only as a child'.
Due to its fragility there is no physical access to the Shell Gallery. To view it up close with a virtual tour go to 'Things to see and do' section on the website.
It was built for two spinster cousins, Jane and Mary Parminter, on their return from a grand tour of Europe in the late 18th century. It contains many objects and mementoes of their travels.
Outside, there’s a sense of harmony around the orchard, hay meadow and colourful borders, and views over the Exe Estuary.
The orchard is home to old Devon varieties of apple trees, along with plums and medlar trees. A part of the grounds known as the Bee Garden, not usually open, is now a space for quiet reflection. The meadow is full of butterflies and crickets. Why not bring a picnic and enjoy it in the orchard or on the haha lawn?
History
Article
History of A la Ronde
Delve into the history of this characterful 16-sided house to discover how two women created a unique home and filled it with curios from their world travels.
Art and collections
Article
Fremington pottery at A la Ronde
Amongst the jumble of curios from travels abroad is something that was made a little closer to home – a specially commissioned Fremington jug. Find out more about its history.
Our work
Project
Project
Journey with A la Ronde
2022 saw the start of a major project working to conserve some of A la Ronde's features for the first time and transform the experience for visitors both online and at the property. Over the next two years a project will be creating new ways to see and imagine A la Ronde, both at the unique 16-sided house, or visiting online.
Article
Our work at A la Ronde
Our conservation team work hard all year around to look after the special collections of A la Ronde. Find out more about the work they do.
Support us
Article
Volunteering at A la Ronde
Find out more about the volunteering opportunities at A la Ronde and how you can help care for this special place. We are always on the lookout for new additions to our team.