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landmark · A la Ronde estate
An Exe estuary base for A la Ronde’s singular house and handmade interiors.
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Find stays near A la Ronde on the map ↓A la Ronde is a rare 16-sided house built by Jane and Mary Parminter, with shell, feather and paper decoration gathered around their Grand Tour memories. The house has a last-admission time earlier than the grounds close, so make its interior the fixed part of the day. Exmouth keeps the overnight by the estuary; Exeter adds a city evening and rail hub. The National Trust places Lympstone Village station roughly a mile away and Exmouth station roughly two miles away by the Exe Estuary Trail, but the final Summer Lane approach rises from the shore.
FIND YOUR BASE
Exmouth gives an estuary-and-seafront evening, with A la Ronde reached from town by the Exe Estuary Trail or a short separate road journey.
Good for: Coastal town base close to the unusual house.
Before you choose: The trail includes an uphill approach from the estuary; check the walking route before treating the railway station as the house gate.
Exeter gives a city evening and mainline rail hub, then a planned Exmouth-line journey or road transfer to Summer Lane.
Good for: City-and-estuary break.
Before you choose: Exeter is farther from the house; protect its limited daytime opening window before adding a city morning.
EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS
Explore accommodation near A la Ronde. Check the route to the visitor entrance before booking.
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ROOM FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP
Exmouth’s seafront and Exeter’s city centre are distinct bases for a Summer Lane house visit.
The Imperial keeps the overnight in Exmouth for an estuary-trail or road approach to A la Ronde.
Before you book: Confirm the actual room type and access route; do not assume a balcony or view.
Visit official websiteEsplanade, Exmouth, Devon EX8 2SW
Esplanade hotel with garden and promenade access.
Sources checked 2026-09-23
Hotel du Vin provides an Exeter city stay with the Exmouth-line or road journey kept for the house day.
Before you book: Confirm bathroom privacy, occupancy and leisure inclusions. Parking is limited and must be arranged directly in advance.
Visit official websiteMagdalen Street, Exeter, EX2 4HY
A Magdalen Street hotel where room layout deserves as much attention as category. The garden setting provides a different emphasis from a smaller Southernhay townhouse stay.
Sources checked 2026-09-17
TAKE A CLOSER LOOK
ROMANTIC BREAKS
Pair the crafted house with Exmouth’s seafront or an estuary-trail section after the interior visit.
FAMILY BREAKS
The 16-sided plan and hand-built decorations give children a clear discovery theme; choose the accessible meadow path for a shorter outdoor finish.
A LITTLE ROOM TO EXPLORE
Arrive on the Exe before the house day, then save a second named estuary stop for departure.
Settle into The Imperial Hotel Exmouth for a seafront evening or Hotel du Vin Exeter for a city base; check the next day’s house calendar.
Go to Summer Lane visitor welcome, see the 16-sided rooms and crafted collections before last admission, then use the grounds and estuary outlook.
Exmouth guests can walk part of the Exe Estuary Trail on departure; Exeter guests can visit Exeter Cathedral under its separate visitor calendar.
Less time? For one night, choose Exmouth, secure the house opening date and keep the rest to its grounds and a short estuary walk.
BEFORE YOU CHOOSE
The National Trust publishes a house last-admission time before the grounds close. Check the date-specific calendar and allow the interior first, then walk the grounds.
Lympstone Village and Exmouth stations connect to the Exe Estuary Trail. The Trust gives roughly one and two miles respectively to A la Ronde; the final approach climbs toward Summer Lane.
No. The National Trust keeps the fragile Shell Gallery closed to physical entry. Look up from the Octagon and use its 360-degree touchscreen or online tour for the close view.
Use the National Trust visitor car park off Summer Lane, EX8 5BD, with visitor welcome by the car park. The Trust currently lists free parking for house visitors.
Dogs on leads are welcome in the grounds; the house admits assistance dogs only.
Research-led accommodation comparison, not a firsthand visit. Confirm current opening, travel, tickets and the exact room with each operator.
Sources checked 2026-09-23. Check current arrangements before travelling.
