Kelly House tour

Home to the Kelly family for over 900 years, this Grade I Georgian house offers ancestral intrigue and an introduction to the social and architectural history of country houses. 

The house dates from the 15th century with alterations from every century until 1877. Pevsner compliments its good contemporary features. The Kelly Family have lived on this site for over 900 years. The property offers ancestral intrigue and an introduction to the social and architectural history of country houses and the landed gentry in Devon. First recorded as a Saxon settlement in the Domesday book, then held by a Norman, the Kelly family home has evolved over the centuries. The present house has its origins in the 15th century as a Hall House which was updated and enlarged through the 16th and 17th centuries. A substantial Georgian expansion changed the prospect and character of the building, and together with the 18th century stable block and granary determined the layout of the settlement and its relationship with the adjacent parish church. Detail changes and embellishments during the 19th century together with the addition of a games room in 1877 followed. 

The building is listed as Grade I Georgian house. Pevsner compliments its good contemporary features. The continuity of the family and its changing fortunes over the centuries has influenced all that can be seen now. Go back in time from the Victorian entrance and games room, through the Georgian parlours, library and grand staircase, to the Tudor Hall which is still in use today as a tea room. Discover the changes made to houses over centuries of constant use, changing fashions and building techniques.

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.

Greeted or guided by the owner
Mostly wheelchair accessible
No photography in the house
Offers historic stays