The D'Oyly Carte family were the impresarios responsible for producing the Gilbert and Sullivan operas.
The house was constructed with a state-of-the-art heating and electrical system for 1926, powered by its own generator.
The garden contains a collection of plants from the Southern Hemisphere that are unable to grow in most other parts of the UK.
The design of the house features a 'central hall' layout to capture maximum natural light through large steel-framed windows.
The property was used as a filming location for the 2011 production of 'The Man Who Haunted Himself'.
Coleton Fishacre is a 1920s Art Deco country home built by Rupert and Lady Dorothy D'Oyly Carte on the South Devon coast. The house was designed by architect Oswald Milne, reflecting the aesthetic movement and jazz-age elegance of the era. It is situated within 24 acres of coastal gardens, known for rare exotic plants that thrive due to the mild microclimate of the valley. The interiors remain largely preserved to reflect the family's lifestyle during the interwar period. The property includes a series of cascading ponds and woodland paths leading toward the sea. It is maintained by the National Trust and is located near the mouth of the River Dart. The garden landscape was specifically laid out to lead visitors down a sheltered valley toward the coastline.
The view from the lower garden terraces looking back up toward the house through the framed exotic trees.
Wear sturdy walking shoes, as the path from the house to the coast is steep and often muddy.
Visit the garden's 'Rill' section, where water is engineered to flow down the valley in a series of steps.
Check the National Trust seasonal blooming calendar, as different exotic species peak at various times throughout the year.
Attempting to walk the full length of the coastal path in casual footwear or improper attire.
The house and gardens are closed during certain winter months; check local National Trust status before arrival.
No photography inside the house; please refrain from touching the original 1920s furnishings.
