Fursdon House
The seat of the Fursdon family since at least 1259, the building's evolution seen through the architectural development of the house.
Cadbury, Near Thorverton, Exeter, Devon, EX5 5JS
Facilities
-
Accessible parking
-
Bike storage facilities
-
Cafe / restaurant
-
Facilities for children
-
Free parking
-
Pet friendly
Fursdon House has evolved from a modest cob and thatch dwelling to the elegant Georgian manor house you see today. The Fursdon family have lived here since 1259 and behind its gracious façade lie centuries of history.
The house is open for guided tours at 2.30pm and 3.30pm on bank holidays between Easter Monday and the end of August and every Wednesday and Thursday afternoon in June, July and August. The beautiful gardens and tearoom are open 2-5pm on bank holidays and every Wednesday and Thursday between Easter Monday and the end of August.
During our informal yet fascinating tours of the house, you will hear about the evolution and fluctuating fortunes of a family steeped in the tradition of land ownership and farming. There are also many items of historical interest still on display and in use by the family. There are stunning views in every direction from the gardens, which are beautifully landscaped and showcase a delightful variety of flowers and foliage – and of course the opportunity to enjoy a delicious traditional home-made Devonshire cream tea, or slice of cake, in the Coach Hall tearoom, courtyard and barn.
There is a small play area for children and our tearoom stocks local ice cream and Fursdon apple juice, as well as delicious homemade cakes and cream teas.
We welcome dogs on leads in our gardens and our tearoom. Assistance dogs are welcome in the house by arrangement.
Additionally, there is a lovely private Victorian cottage on the estate that is available for holiday accommodation (Fursdon Cottage).
The Coach Hall tearoom can also be hired for small corporate events.
Please note:
Fursdon House, Garden and Tearoom is open for our local Hospiscare charity for the afternoon of Wednesday 29th July, 2-5pm. All proceeds from the house and garden tickets will go directly to Hospiscare. Therefore to maximise revenue for the charity, we regret that free entry for Historic Houses members will not be possible on this day. Thank you.
Important information: opening info is generated by artificial intelligence; check specific attraction details before travelling.
The indicator above will show ‘open’ when the public have any kind of access to any part of this property. That could be the park, a shop, or a special event, and may not reflect regular admission times to the main attraction. Always consult the website of the house or garden you intend to visit before travelling to check that the attraction you are interested in is open.
Garden and Tea Room: The Garden and Tea Room are open from 2-5pm on Bank Holiday Mondays and Wednesday and Thursday afternoons from Easter Monday until the end of August.
House Tours: The House is open (guided tours) on Bank Holiday Mondays and Wednesday and Thursday afternoons in June, July and August. Tours take place at 2.30pm and 3.30pm and last around 50 minutes.
There is no need to pre-book but we do take bookings for house tours by telephone if requested.
House & Garden – £12 Adults, £4 Children (5-16 yrs)
Garden only: £6 Adults, £2 Children (5-16 yrs)
Annual Garden Season Ticket: £18 Adults, £6 Children (5-16 yrs)
Historic Houses members must show their membership card at the ticket office.
Fursdon House and Gardens is open for our local Hospiscare charity for the afternoon of Wednesday 29th July, 2-5pm. All proceeds from the house and garden tickets will go directly to Hospiscare. Therefore to maximise revenue for the charity, we regret that free entry for Historic Houses members will not be possible on this day. Thank you.
We are delighted to invite groups of 20 or more people to Fursdon for a bespoke opening.
Our preference for group visits is on a Monday or Friday (morning or afternoon) or on a Wednesday or Thursday morning, between Easter Monday and the end of September. However, we will always try to be flexible and we are very happy to talk through various options.
Group visits can take the format of garden only, with refreshments, or garden and guided house tours, also with refreshments.
A guided tour of the historic house takes between 45 and 55 minutes but do allow some time for a relaxing stroll in the attractive gardens surrounded by birdsong and nature in its widest sense, and of course, for the delicious refreshments!
There is a reduction in ticket price for groups of 20 or more. We can accommodate larger groups but please do contact us to discuss the travel arrangements, namely the coach size and the advised access route (via the A396 and not the A3072). Each house tour can accommodate up to 20 guests at a time and therefore for groups of more than 20 people, we either run consecutive house tours with one guide or slightly staggered concurrent tours with two guides. We are very happy to discuss how we can make a larger group visit work, so please do contact us on 01392 860860 or [email protected]
Small groups of fewer than 20 people are also very welcome on our public open afternoons (Wednesdays, Thursdays and bank holidays between Easter Monday and the end of August). If at all possible, we would ask that if you are planning to visit with a small group, that you let us know in advance so that we can plan the afternoon.
Corporate visits are also welcomed. We would be happy for you to bring your guests or clients for an informal tour and a glass of wine on a warm summer evening.
2026 prices and options for groups of 20 or more
A tour of Fursdon House and access to the gardens is £11.50 per person.
Garden only tickets are £5.50 per person.
We offer the following catering options:
Morning Visits – Coffee or tea and homemade cake (GF available)
Afternoon Visits – Devonshire Cream Tea (GF available)
We would be happy to discuss your requirements for your group tour. Please contact Becky at the estate office on 01392 860860 or send an e-mail to [email protected] with your enquiry.
Once arranged, we’ll send you a group booking form, which we will ask you to return with the deposit. Please note that the deposit is non-returnable if the visit is cancelled once confirmed. We require final numbers two weeks before your visit. Any changes made to numbers within 48 hours of your visit will be charged in full.
We are very happy to work with your group to ensure a lovely day out!
Getting here
Cadbury, Near Thorverton, Exeter, Devon, EX5 5JS
Getting here
Cadbury, Near Thorverton, Exeter, Devon, EX5 5JS
The main visitor entrance is at ///ordinary.caressing.driftwood. What does this mean?
Travelling from the south, 9 miles north of Exeter off A396 Tiverton Road, signposted through Thorverton; or travelling from north off the A3072 Tiverton to Crediton road, 2 miles from Bickleigh, signposted.
Coaches
If you are bringing a coach to Fursdon, please contact the office for detailed directions. There is only one suitable way in for larger coaches and that is via the A396 and through Thorverton. We do not advise that coaches come in from the A3072 due to the narrow lane on the approach.
Fursdon is not on a direct bus route, but 55 bus route stops in Thorverton 2/3 miles from Fursdon.
Become a Historic Houses member
Explore the nation’s heritage from just £68 per year.
Hundreds of the most beautiful historic houses, castles, and gardens across Britain offer our members free entry.
Also: receive a quarterly magazine, enjoy monthly online lectures, get exclusive invitations to buy tickets for behind-the-scenes tours, and take up a range of special offers on holidays, books, and other products you might like.
