Ugbrooke House & Gardens

About the museum

Ugbrooke has a history of about 900 years, and the estate appears in the Domesday Book of 1086. It remains the private home of the Clifford family. The 4th Lord Clifford commissioned the remodelling of the house in the middle of the eighteenth century by Robert Adam, and it is one of the earliest examples of his “toy fort” style. The parkland of about 3,000 acres was laid out by Capability Brown.

During the Second World War the house was requisitioned as a school, then served as a refuge for the Polish Army, and afterwards was used as a grain store. The 13th Lord and Lady Clifford rescued and restored it in 1957. St Cyprian’s Chapel was rededicated as a Catholic chapel in 1673, when the 1st Lord Clifford converted to Catholicism, and is claimed to be the oldest Catholic parish church in the south west of England.

The house contains fine paintings, furniture, needlework and ceramics, and its tours tell stories of the Clifford family’s part in national war, politics and religion. The grounds and the Orangery are part of the visit, and the house is also hired for private events, corporate retreats and filming.

Highlights

• Robert Adam interiors
• Capability Brown parkland of about 3,000 acres
• Guided house tours
• St Cyprian’s Chapel, in use since 1673
• Orangery and gardens

Operated by

Clifford family (private estate)

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• 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

Wheelchair access to the house is available, but there is no lift: the first floor is reached by the main staircase or an alternative route outside. Mobility scooters cannot be taken into the house. Dogs are welcome on leads in the grounds, but only guide dogs are allowed on house tours.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Seasonal family events such as a Halloween estate trail with an adventure booklet, hidden clues and a certificate are held.

Getting there & parking

The house is about 20 minutes from the M5 and Exeter Airport. Sat nav postcode TQ13 0AD.

Amenities & dining

• Café

The Orangery Tearoom serves sandwiches, jacket potatoes, cakes, ice creams and cream teas, with seating for 26 inside and more outside; it is open during the summer season and for some events. Wi-Fi is mentioned for guests of corporate retreats throughout the house and gardens.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Private parties and corporate retreats are arranged through the Estate Office. The Library, Morning Room and Dining Room serve as meeting spaces, and the house has 12 guest rooms for up to 24 guests. The house is also a filming location.

Plan your visit