Cadhay
Devon, England
Key facts
- Operator
- Thistlethwayte family
- Condition
- Intact
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
- Stays
- Overnight accommodation available
Pinpoint
Cadhay, Ottery Saint Mary EX11 1QY
Cadhay is a Tudor manor house with an Elizabethan courtyard, open on limited days each summer. Reviewers call it a hidden gem and rate the gardens as small but very well kept and reasonably priced, with the walled garden and its produce a particular favourite. The house tour and the courtyard at its centre draw consistent praise, as do the owner and staff.
Worth the trip
The Elizabethan courtyard - reviewers describe it as the heart of the house and the part of the tour they remember.
Before you go
Opening is limited to certain days in summer and house tours run at set times, so check the dates before travelling. Cadhay is also let as self-catering accommodation - the main house sleeps up to 22, with three on-site cottages taking a further 12-14 (verified on cadhay.org.uk, July 2026).
Reviewers describe the gardens as well kept and reasonably priced compared with others nearby, with the walled kitchen garden and the ponds picked out as favourites, and several using the word gem. Staff and the owner are consistently described as friendly and down to earth, and the guided house tour is praised as knowledgeable and engaging. The tea room comes up positively for cake and tea at fair prices, with card payments accepted. One reviewer notes uneven ground in places, which may matter for anyone with limited mobility. Reviews also mention that the whole house can be booked for group stays and celebrations.
Tudor manor house with an Elizabethan courtyard, open on limited days each summer.
“The gardens are lovely and very well kept. A hidden gem. Reasonably priced entry too (compared to some other gardens in the locality). Not the biggest gardens in the world but.... bigger is not always better. Staff and…”- Paul Smith, visitor review
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Terrain & accessibility
- “There are areas that are a little uneven underfoot so if you have limited mobility, you may wish to keep that in mind.” - Laura
- Facilities
- “I visited here with my partner to enjoy the gardens and have a bite to eat in the tea room.” - Laura
Common questions about Cadhay
Where is Cadhay?
Cadhay is in Devon, England, at Cadhay, Ottery Saint Mary EX11 1QY.
Do you need a ticket to visit Cadhay?
Yes - Cadhay is a staffed, ticketed attraction run by Thistlethwayte family. Ticket prices and opening hours change through the year, so check the official site before travelling.
Can you stay overnight at Cadhay?
Yes - Cadhay offers bookable accommodation, so you can spend the night in the stately home itself or within its grounds. See the Stately Homes You Can Sleep In guide for the full list and how each stay works.
What is the highlight of visiting Cadhay?
The Elizabethan courtyard - reviewers describe it as the heart of the house and the part of the tour they remember.
Is Cadhay a ruin or still intact?
Cadhay is largely intact - Tudor manor house with an Elizabethan courtyard, open on limited days each summer.
