Downes has been home to the same family for over 330 years and is now lived in by the current owners, Henry and Susan Parker. Like our predecessors before us, we have created many happy memories here, along with our children Redvers and Stroma, and the house is full of photos and pictures of our life in this lovely place.
Set in the heart of the Devon countryside and positioned on a picturesque rise overlooking a tranquil valley, visitors will see wonderful portraits and paintings, together with items relating to General Sir Redvers Buller, GCB, GCMG, VC, famous for winning a VC in the Zulu War of 1879 and relieving Ladysmith from the Boers in 1900.
The Parker family would like to welcome you to a tour of our home. Although Downes is an historic house, we still make use of all the rooms, and we would love to share them with you.
From our visitors book:
- Thank you for opening up your lovely home – DW
- A wonderful tour, thank you – WQ
- Fascinating history, well told. Beautiful home – FM
Downes House and Gardens will be open on these dates in 2024:
- 1st April – 7th April
- 6th May – 12th May
- 27th May – 2nd June
- 26th August – 1st September
If you are joining a tour the gardens are open between 1.30pm – 4.30pm with the house tour commencing at 2.15pm. Please pre-book. See the House Tours page for details.
Welcome to the Downes Estate
Downes is the family home of the Buller and Parker Family. It is still lived in by the current generation of the family – Henry and Susan Parker and their children Redvers (born 1992) and Stroma (born 1995).
The attraction of Downes is the way it brings together aspects of the history of our country (particularly as the home of the famous General Buller) and the history of a family home, still privately occupied and loved by its owners, some 300 years after it was first built. It is hoped that visitors will appreciate the opportunity to share this special place.
