The first phase of conservation work on National Trust Killerton’s historic Grade I listed chapel is now complete.
The restoration of the chapel has seen repairs to different elements of the building. The iconic rose window, which was showing signs of decay, has been removed, re-leaded and reinstated. Broken panes in some of the other stained-glass windows have been repaired and cleaned. Tom Coombe, Collections and House Manager at Killerton, talks excitedly, “I was delighted to see the rose window return to Killerton after being cleaned and conserved. The nineteenth century...
Last month the National Trust reopened seven properties in England and Northern Ireland as part of a phased reopening of its 200 houses. which were closed as part of the national lockdown in March.
On Tuesday 11th August, the National Trust in the South West will see Killerton House open their doors daily, for the first time in more than four months - with several new safety measures in place.
One-way systems and limited numbers inside houses will ensure that social distancing is possible, while enhanced cleaning and hand sanitising stations will be made available....
Rarely seen portraits of influential Devon women, including Nancy Astor, Eleanor Acland and Gertrude Acland, are on show at Killerton. The portraits are visiting as part of a touring exhibition, ‘Faces of Change: Votes for Women’, a partnership between the National Trust and the National Portrait Gallery. Their images will be on display alongside rarely displayed portraits of Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters, as part of an exhibition to mark the centenary of the People’s Representation Act which gave some women the right to vote. There will be an opportunity for visitors to see a rare...
It has been a year since Killerton, a much-loved National Trust gem near Exeter, saw scaffolding go up for major TLC to the roof and building. After astounding public support, the successful conservation project has finished.
Over ten months, the roof scape has been transformed. The worst affected roofs have been replaced, removing an unsightly temporary roof and old ventilation units. Urgent repairs and restoration to the stonework, parapets and roof lanterns is complete. A grant from Viridor Credits enabled the reintroduction of seven historic chimneys, with wood burners...
After nearly 120 years, iconic portraits of the Acland family members, who lived in the Georgian mansion, have been moved as part of a new exhibition inside Killerton House, near Exeter.
Their relocation from the water damaged stairway means the National Trust can commence a vital project to repair the leaking roof and conserve the building. The paintings, which include Killerton’s largest portrait, are some of the most significant objects in the house’s collection. For the first time since 1898, they have been carefully relocated from the stairway to protect them from the project...
Killerton House near Exeter, looked after by the National Trust, has launched a major fundraising campaign to plug the holes in its leaking roof.
£100,000 is needed to help pay for work due to start in late February which will prevent the threat of water damage to the much loved house and collection, which includes a unique Trust fashion collection. The money raised will also go towards carrying out vital work to conserve the roof over the house, exterior walls, windows, chimneys and parapets, as part the Trust’s ongoing commitment to care for Killerton. Thanks to a very generous...
A Brothers Grimm spell has been cast over Killerton this Christmas.
For the first time, the National Trust property will be transformed into classic fairy tales with a festive twist from Saturday 19 November.
Each year, to celebrate the start of Christmas at Killerton, the staff step out of their day jobs and ‘get into character’ for the festive theme with a specially commissioned photoshoot. This year, the staff portrayed Sleeping Beauty and Little Red Riding Hood. Visitors can then see scenes from the stories on display in the exhibition (although the staff will be back...
A rainbow of vintage and designer pieces, ‘toxic’ colours and dye recipes are set to be revealed from one of the National Trust’s largest fashion collections. The latest exhibition, Fashion to dye for, has opened its doors to invite people into the wardrobe and discover how colours, dyes and design shaped fashion history. From a 50’s red silk gown (said to have belonged to Princess Margaret), a 1960s shirt by Pucci, a skirt suit by Bernat Klein and an early Laura Ashley dress, the collection brings to life how colour can reveal much about the wearer and also looks into the origins, status...
A rainbow of rare designer pieces, ‘toxic’ colours and secret dye recipes are set to be revealed as the National Trust delves into its wardrobe of over 20,000 pieces from Killerton’s fashion collection.
From 13th February, the latest exhibition, Fashion to dye for, will be opening its doors to invite people into the wardrobe and discover how colours, dyes and design shaped fashion history.
Would you risk your life in the name of fashion? If you think green is the colour to die for, find out how people used toxic arsenic to formulate a particular shade of green. If absorbed...
This week an ambitious four month event called ‘Framing the view’ launched at Killerton National Trust estate, near Exeter.
Twelve installations, a number of which have been designed and built by Killerton’s talented ranger team, are placed around the parkland and garden to highlight the best views and tell the story behind the people who once owned, designed and painted the picturesque landscape.
Visitors will stumble upon a giant picture frame, a high seat, tourist telescope, easels and art supplies to show off Killerton’s picturesque views in a different way.
