Montacute House

About the museum

Montacute House was built in the late 1590s for Sir Edward Phelips, a lawyer who later served as Speaker of the House of Commons and Master of the Rolls. It was finished around 1601 and is built of local golden ham stone under the direction of the master mason William Arnold. The tall, glass-filled walls and the symmetrical design make it a leading example of Elizabethan Renaissance architecture, meant to show the wealth and ambition of its owner.

The Phelips family lived here for more than three centuries and altered the house in the eighteenth century, when stone from another local house was used to rebuild the west front. In 1911 the family let the property to tenants and left; they never returned. Among the later tenants was Lord Curzon. By 1929 the house stood empty and was offered for sale at little more than its value as building material.

In 1931 Ernest Cook bought it and passed it to the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, which handed it to the National Trust. The house opened to visitors in 1932. Since 1975 the Long Gallery has displayed portraits on loan from the National Portrait Gallery, and the house has appeared in films and television dramas such as Sense and Sensibility and Wolf Hall. The National Trust is currently running a project to save the staircases, and the upper floors are closed while it continues.

Highlights

• Elizabethan Renaissance architecture in golden ham stone with large glazed walls
• Ground-floor rooms of the house open during the staircase conservation project
• Formal gardens that change with the seasons
• Parkland with walking trails and a natural play area
• Setting used in films and television dramas such as Sense and Sensibility

Permanent exhibition

• Ground-floor rooms of Montacute House – The ground floor of the Elizabethan house can be visited while the upper floors are closed for the staircase conservation project.

Founded

1598

Operated by

National Trust

Admission & discounts

The ticket prices are reduced while the upper floors of the house are closed for the staircase project. Prices are without Gift Aid (adult £16.50 with Gift Aid). National Trust members enter free.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• 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

There is currently no step-free access to the house while construction work takes place on the staircases. The formal garden is mostly accessible. Blue Badge parking, an accessible toilet and a Changing Places toilet are available, and two manual wheelchairs can be borrowed. The shop has level access.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Playground / play area

A natural play area with a slide, stepping logs and a stepping beam is in the picnic area near West Drive. The estate describes itself as family friendly and runs seasonal family events such as an autumn animal trail in half-term.

Getting there & parking

Montacute is 3 miles south of the A303 between London and Exeter and is signed from it; take the A3088 towards Yeovil. Cycle route NCN 30 passes through the village, and the Leyland Trail and Monarch Trail cross the parkland.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

There is a café, a shop, a second-hand bookshop and a picnic area. Dogs are allowed in parts of the estate. Eight electric vehicle charging points are available during opening hours.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.