Hemerdon House
Still the home of the family for which it was built, a late eighteenth-century house with a wealth of local and family history.
Plympton, Devon, PL7 5BZ
Facilities
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Free parking
Wheelchair access
All the reception rooms on the ground floor are accessible, and these are where most of the pieces of historical significance are to be found. Unfortunately, there is no wheelchair access to the first floor and no disabled WC. Access to the grounds and parkland is limited. Please contact us for more information.
Built in the late eighteenth century by the Woollcombe family, the current owners’ ancestors, Hemerdon House contains a wealth of local and family history, with artefacts collected by the family through generations.
On Open Days (please see their website for details) visitors are invited to enjoy a guided tour of the interior followed by a leisurely wander through the parkland with its pond and walled garden.
The presence of the family in Devon has been recorded since the 1100s, and in the Plympton area since the 1500s. The family’s participation in local public life – in particular over the last 300 years, through the naval and military services, the clergy, the law, medicine, and local government – is reflected in the contents of the house.
The major fittings, fireplaces and the like are thought to be original, and the furnishings have been accumulated over the years by the family for the house. These include a number of paintings and objets d’art, many acquired by Henry Woollcombe, who was a founder of the Plymouth Athenaeum and an enthusiastic patron of local artists.
Hemerdon offers an intimate insight into a country house and its family from the late 18th-century to the present day.
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.
Hemerdon House, a historic Devon country house, offers visitors a glimpse into local and family history through tours of its main rooms and exploration of its grounds. The house is located in the South Hams area of Devon, approximately 40 minutes’ drive from Exeter and 20 minutes from Plymouth.
Open Days in 2026
Hemerdon House will be open to visitors on the following dates in 2026:
- May: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 21st, 25th, and 26th
- June: 6th, 7th, 8th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, and 23rd
- July: 25th, 26th, and 27th
- August: 9th, 10th, 11th, 25th, 26th, 28th, 29th, 30th, and 31st
On these dates, tours of the house will be offered at 2:30pm and 4:00pm, each lasting approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Exploring the Grounds
Visitors are welcome to explore the parkland, pond area, and walled garden between 2pm and 6pm on Open Days. Please note that the terrain can be uneven, and waterproof footwear is recommended in wet weather. Dogs on leads are permitted in the grounds.
Booking Information
Booking is not required unless you are part of a group of 6 or more. However, as the maximum capacity per tour is 15, it is advisable to reserve a place by calling 07704 708416 or emailing [email protected]. Groups of 6 to 10 people should book in advance to ensure availability. Tours for groups larger than 10 people are available by prior arrangement only and will be scheduled outside of public Open Days.
Free to Historic Houses members. Please see the house’s website for standard admission prices.
Please see the house’s website for group visit arrangements.
Schools are welcome to visit Hemerdon.
Please contact [email protected] or 07704 708416.
Wheelchair access
All the reception rooms on the ground floor are accessible, and these are where most of the pieces of historical significance are to be found. Unfortunately, there is no wheelchair access to the first floor and no disabled WC. Access to the grounds and parkland is limited. Please contact us for more information.
Getting here
Plympton, Devon, PL7 5BZ
Hemerdon House is located between the villages of Hemerdon and Sparkwell in the South Hams area of Devon. Plymouth is approximately 7 miles away, along the A38, and Exeter about 40 miles.
SatNav instructions are variable and may be misleading at the very last stage of the journey. Please check the website for accurate directions.
Find the exact address on what3words: ///crowned.list.inform.
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