DOWNES on the outskirts of Crediton has been home to the same family for more than 330 years and is now lived in by the current owners, Henry and Susan Parker.

Each summer guided tours of the family home can be booked, these recently coming to an end for the season.

Cattle watching visitors at Downes House on the day of the final house tour. AQ 5691
Cattle watching visitors at Downes House on the day of the final house tour. AQ 5691 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

Set in the heart of the Devon countryside and positioned on a picturesque rise overlooking a tranquil valley, visitors on tours can 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.

Many local people and visitors from further afield attended the final tour of the season on a hot and sunny day.

The tour was conducted by Henry Parker and he explained that the home was built in 1692 and is Grade II* Listed, sitting in rolling parkland.

Originally constructed of red brick by Moses Gould, the property was faced with Beer Stone by James Buller in 1794 before undergoing extensive changes during the 19th Century.

Tours re-commence in April next year.

For further details, visit: https://www.downesestate.co.uk .