Fursdon House

About the museum

The Fursdon family has lived on this land near Exeter since Walter de Fursdon took it up in the thirteenth century, during the reign of Henry III. The house grew over more than 750 years from a modest cob and thatch cross-passage dwelling into the Georgian manor seen today, with a major rebuild in the eighteenth century and the library wing added in 1815.

Fursdon is still privately owned and lived in by the family, who look after the house and about 750 acres of farmland and woodland. It first opened to visitors in 1979. Guided tours show rooms from different periods, all still in use, and tell stories of the family, including a ghost and a local dragon legend.

The tour includes a small family museum with eighteenth- and nineteenth-century costumes, archaeological finds from the estate, photographs, letters and curiosities. The costumes and fabrics on show change each year as part of a conservation programme. The grounds include about four acres of garden and a woodland meadow garden, and a Victorian coach hall serves as the tea room and ticket office.

Highlights

• Georgian manor that the same family has lived in since 1259
• Family museum with 18th- and 19th-century costumes that change each year
• Guided house tours of about 50 minutes
• Four acres of terraced garden and a woodland meadow garden
• Tea room in the Coach Hall with views over the Exe valley

Permanent exhibition

• Fursdon family museum – A small museum on the house tour with 18th- and 19th-century family costumes, archaeological finds from the estate, photographs, letters and objects.

Operated by

Fursdon family (private owners)

Admission & discounts

The prices are the published 2027 prices for house and garden. Members of the Historic Houses association and holders of Gardeners' World 2-for-1 tickets are welcome. There is no need to pre-book, but house tours can be booked by phone or email.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The Coach Hall (ticket office and tea room) has one step, and a ramp can be fitted with advance notice. The house has two steps to the front door and more steps inside; mobile ramps can be fitted to the entrance steps, but the Lower Hall is reached by steps. The ground-floor rooms near the entrance have level access. There are no accessible toilets at present. Disabled parking can be arranged near the house in advance. An access statement is on the website.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

Swings and a slide are near the Coach Hall, and the tea room is described as good for families.

Getting there & parking

Fursdon is about 10 miles from Exeter and 14 miles from the M5. From Exeter take the A396 towards Tiverton and turn left to Thorverton, then follow signs to Fursdon. Coaches should come via the A396 and Thorverton, not the narrow lane from the A3072. What3words location: ordinary.caressing.driftwood.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The Coach Hall tea room serves cream teas, cakes, coffee and local ice cream and has a small shop with cards, seeds, plants, honey and local produce. Toilets are in the courtyard, with a baby-changing station in the ladies' toilet.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

The Coach Hall can be hired year-round for children's parties, dinners, meetings and small events. The house and gardens are occasionally available as a filming and event location.

Plan your visit