Steeped in centuries of history with stunning architecture and landscaping, Ugbrooke has been the Clifford family home for almost 500 years.

The current custodians are The Hon Mr & Mrs Alexander Clifford. Alexander, grew up in the in the house and on the estate, he returned to Ugbrooke to take over the Family Seat in 2015.

Our day will include a guided tour of the house and a visit to the gardens and lake, weather permitting. This will be a self drive visit. There is ample free car parking on site. We shall meet in the courtyard at 10:00. Depending on numbers, we hope to have two guided tours, one starting off at 10:30 and one at 11:00. 

Tea, coffee, and biscuits will be served from 10:00. A lunch of quiche, salad and new potatoes will be served in the Library at 12:30/1pm, followed by tea/
coffee and biscuits.

Cost: Tour with tea/coffee and biscuits:  £31 per person.
          Tour and lunch (plus tea/coffee and biscuits):  £40 per person

Places will be limited and early booking is advised. Registration and payment details are under Our Society/Documents or click here: 2026 Ugbrooke House

A lovingly restored Grade II listed Georgian manor house on a 500-acre estate in the Devon countryside, with uninterrupted views of the rolling hills and fields, acres of gardens, farmland and woodland, and walks to explore.

Our day will include a guided tour of the house and a visit to the archives. There is a lovely café where coffee and lunch can be purchased. This will be a self drive and we shall meet at the café.

There is ample free car parking on site, and easy access to the café and house. Cost is £14 per person and places will be limited, so early booking is advised.

Date: Wednesday 4th June 2025.
Time: 10:30

Contact: Judi Thornberry: judithornberry@icloud.com / mobile: 07852328833
 

We have organised a five-day residential visit to the county of Kent, known as The Garden of England. Departing September 29th 2024.

Destinations include:

Salisbury, Canterbury Cathedral, Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Scotney Castle, Bateman’s, Dover Castle & Secret Wartime Tunnels, Walmer Castle & Gardens and Ightham Mote.

For More information and booking form:

Contact John Addy at      johne.addy@lineone.net 

We are organising a trip to the historic town of Tavistock that will give participants a gentle overview of the colourful history of this 1,000 year old World Heritage Site town.

Date: Thursday 23rd May 2024

Time:10.30

Meet at: The Bedford Hotel, The Bedford Hotel, 1 Plymouth Rd, Tavistock PL19 8BB

Transport: Own transport required

Cost: £8.50 to include coffee and private guided walk

Guided Walk: Starting at 11.30, we shall take a 90 minute predominately flat walk over approximately 1 mile which will take you on a journey through ten centuries, revealing Abbey and Churches, mineral mining, the building of the Canal and Railways and the influence of the Dukes of Bedford.

Maximum Number: 15-20 persons

More information and booking details to follow soon.

We have organised a Private Guided Tour of this Grade I Listed House, followed by a cream tea on Thursday, 1st June meeting at 2:15pm for a 2:30pm tour guided by Francis Fulford. The tours take place in all the great rooms, as well as more domesticated reception rooms remodelled in 1805 in the ‘Gothic’ manner by James Wyatt. The house, at Dunsford, Exeter EX6 7AJ has been the family home of the Fulford’s for over 800 years. The present mansion house is Tudor (16th century) with refurbishment from the late 17th century and further remodelling from about 1800. For more information please go to: History — Great Fulford

Members, who would like to participate in this visit will need to arrange their own transport and car sharing is encouraged. If you would like to join us, please contact us at teignbridge@theartssociety.org to book your place and also to let us know if you can offer a lift. The cost £18.50 to include a cream tea and visitors are free to visit the grounds and gardens after the house tour. 

We are delighted to offer a special guided visit to the Grade 2 Listed St Peter & St Paul Church, Teigngrace with Mark Cottle. Mark is a local historian who has delivered some fascinating lectures to us, including one on the Templer family and more recently a lecture on Exeter Cathedral. There are two opportunities to attend the tour, one on Thursday, 18th May and the second the day after on Friday, 19th May. Both tours meet at 10.45 for an 11.00 start and if the weather permits, we shall walk a short distance for refreshments afterwards.

Originally the church was part of Stover estate, serving the village workers on the estate and, over time, workers on the canal built by James Templer. The earliest definite record of a church at Teigngrace dates back to 1350, and by the late 18th century it was in a poor state of repair. The estate was purchased in 1765 by James Templer, who subsequently built Stover Lodge. He died in 1782, his wife Mary in 1784. Their three sons, James, George & John rebuilt the parish church in 1787 dedicating it in memory of their parents. The Rev. John Templer was the first Rector of the new church.

The guided tour is free and a donation of £5 to the church restoration fund is suggested. Due to the limited number of places, attednance is limited to members only so please book early by emailing teignbridge@theartssociety.org. 

Go behind the scenes into the roof of Exeter Cathedral! On the tour you will learn about the history, architecture and construction of the Cathedral, as well as having the opportunity to see behind the scenes in the roof void high above the nave, visit the two towers and go out onto the roof of the north tower, weather permitting. There are about 100 stairs to climb and some narrow confined spaces to navigate so for Health & Safety reasons, please familiarise yourself with the Cathedral terms and conditions attached here... Exeter Cathedral Roof tour health and safety ts & cs