Cadhay

About the museum

Cadhay was built in 1550 by John Haydon on the site of an earlier house. His nephew Robert added the Long Gallery, closing in the south side of the house to form a courtyard that became known as the Court of the Sovereigns because of four statues of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary and Elizabeth above its doors. The house is listed Grade I and was listed by Country Life among the top ten manor houses in the country.

By 1737 the house was in poor repair. The new owner, Peere Williams, restored it in the style of the time, plastering over most of the Tudor hearths, panelling several rooms and inserting a lower ceiling in the Great Hall to create the present dining room and the Roof Chamber above. At times in the 18th and 19th centuries the house was divided in two. Kitty Whetham bought it in 1910 and uncovered the old hearths. It has been lived in by the Williams-Powlett family and their descendants since 1935.

Today the house is used for exclusive private hire, holiday stays and weddings, and it opens to the public on Friday afternoons in summer. Guided tours show much of the house, including the Long Gallery and the Roof Chamber, and visitors can walk in the gardens, which have medieval fish ponds, an avenue of limes and walled kitchen gardens.

Highlights

• Court of the Sovereigns with statues of four Tudor monarchs
• Long Gallery and Roof Chamber on the guided tour
• Medieval fish ponds and an avenue of limes
• Walled kitchen gardens used as allotments
• Tea room on the terrace of the walled garden

Permanent exhibitions

• Guided tour of the Tudor manor – A tour through much of the house, including the Long Gallery and Roof Chamber, with the history of the building and the families who lived there.
• Gardens – Gardens with medieval fish ponds, an avenue of limes, borders and walled kitchen gardens used as allotments.

Admission & discounts

The standard price covers a guided tour of the house and entry to the gardens. Members of Historic Houses (HHA) are admitted free.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The ground floor of the house, including the kitchen, dining room and lounges, has level access and a 1,000 mm wide front door. A portable ramp is available for the Court of the Sovereigns, and a wheelchair can be borrowed on a first-come, first-served basis. The Long Gallery and Roof Chamber are on upper floors. Accessibility guides for the house can be downloaded from the website, and the owners can be contacted with questions.

Kids & families

A reduced ticket price for children over 5 applies on open days.

Getting there & parking

Cadhay is just outside Ottery St Mary in East Devon. From the east leave the A30 at the Iron Bridge exit just after Honiton and follow the signs for Fairmile and then Cadhay; from the west leave the A30 at the Pattesons Cross exit and follow the same signs.

Amenities & dining

• Café

The tea room serves homemade cakes and drinks during open hours, with seating on the terrace in the walled kitchen garden or inside. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome in the gardens and on the terrace.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Weddings / ceremonies

The main house can be hired exclusively for stays of up to 22 guests, with three cottages for a further 12 to 14. It is licensed for weddings and civil ceremonies; the Roof Chamber holds up to 38 guests and the Old Apple Store up to 80 for a seated meal.

Plan your visit