Explore the Grandeur of Mount Kelly – Past and Present

Tours of Mount Kelly take place on Friday 12th September and Friday 19th September.

Tours take place from 16:00 on both days

Please outside at the front of the main college building where you will be met by College Ambassadors.

Parking is likely to available at the College at the same location - if this is full please use the hockey car park which is opposite the swimming pool and walk up.

Among the many highlights of Tavistock’s Heritage Open Days are the rare tours of Mount Kelly School, taking place on two Fridays during the Festival. This is a chance not just to enjoy the beautiful grounds and buildings of one of Tavistock’s most impressive institutions, but also to step inside a story of education, architecture, and community that stretches back more than a century.

Mount Kelly as we know it today was formed in 2014 from the merger of Kelly College and Mount House School, two names with deep local roots. Kelly College was founded in 1877 as a memorial to Admiral Benedictus Kelly, who left provision in his will for a school to provide a “sound and liberal” education for the sons of naval officers.

Its imposing Gothic Revival buildings, designed by Charles Barry Jr. (son of the architect of the Houses of Parliament), quickly became a landmark on the edge of Tavistock. With their castellated towers and generous grounds, they embodied the Victorian ideal of learning set within a healthy, rural environment.

Mount House School, meanwhile, was established in 1881 at a site just outside Tavistock.

It became known for its progressive spirit and, during the Second World War, was famously home to the children of wartime evacuees, giving it a special place in local memory. When the two schools joined forces, they created a single institution that continues to thrive while honouring both traditions.

On the tours, led by senior pupils, visitors will discover the historic architecture of the College, explore the landscaped grounds, and hear stories that connect the past with present-day school life. It’s a chance to appreciate how these buildings have adapted over time – from their 19th-century origins as a memorial school to the modern facilities of today – while still retaining the character and grandeur that make them so distinctive.

As part of this year’s national Heritage Open Days theme, “Buildings, Bridges and Beehives”, the Mount Kelly tours shine a light on the role architecture plays in shaping identity. The Gothic Revival buildings were designed to inspire, to convey permanence and purpose, and to create an environment in which generations of students could learn and grow. They are as much a part of Tavistock’s story as the Abbey ruins or the 19th-century Guildhall.

Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy a guided look behind the scenes at one of Tavistock’s finest landmarks. Whether you’re drawn by the architecture, the history of education, or simply the chance to stroll through glorious grounds, the Mount Kelly tours promise an experience to remember.

Tours of Mount Kelly take place on Friday 12th September and Friday 19th September at 16:00 and last 90 minutes.