Town Barton

Town Barton sits quietly on the outskirts of Exeter, a working manor that hasn't been turned into a theme park or wedding venue - which is exactly why it's worth a look. This is a proper Devon farmhouse, the kind with thick stone walls and a history that stretches back centuries, surrounded by actual working land rather than manicured gardens.

What you're really here for is the architecture and the sense of how people actually lived. The building itself tells the story - you can see where it's been added to, repaired, and modified over generations. It's the kind of place that appeals to anyone interested in vernacular building rather than grand estates. Unlike the showpiece manors nearby, Town Barton feels lived-in, unglamorous, and honest.

Access and visiting arrangements aren't always straightforward - it's not a standard tourist attraction with set opening times. Best approach is contacting Exeter directly to find out if there are open days or whether you can arrange a visit. The beauty of that is you won't be queueing with hundreds of others.

If you're based at Sunsets & Marshmallows Glamping just down the road, this makes an easy afternoon outing. It's close enough that you're not spending half the day driving, but different enough from the usual tourist circuit. Families with older children interested in history will get more from it than anyone expecting manicured lawns and teashops.