Killerton

Father Christmas at Killerton. Photo: Steven Haywood, National Trust Images

Dedicated volunteers donate 3,000 hours to create Christmas magic at Killerton

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Tue, 12/03/2019 - 11:10am

A dedicated team of Christmas volunteers have spent over 3,000 hours creating a range festive displays and decorations bringing to life this year’s theme, which has taken inspiration from the well-known poem by Clement Clarke Moore, ‘Twas the night before Christmas.’

It’s all thanks to a dedicated team of volunteers at the National Trust’s Killerton, near Exeter, who start planning the theme, design and decorations at the start of each year.

Throughout 2019 the team have been busy creating festive decorations including stockings to hang by the fire in the Drawing Room and...

Tree planting. Photo: Catherine Hadler

Call for help with volun-tree planting at Killerton

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Sat, 11/09/2019 - 10:05am

The tree planting event at Killerton on Sunday 17 November is cancelled due to the weather forecast and potential flooding of the event site. Please check Killerton’s social media for updates on future events

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To conclude 2019’s celebration of the centenary of the Forestry Commission, Killerton will be hosting a tree planting event at Ellerhayes on Sunday 17 November.

The estate’s rangers need your help to plant 400 trees alongside the River Culm. The trees are being planted to contribute towards the variety of wildlife habitats at Killerton,...

National Trust Images - Paul Harris

New installation unveiled at Killerton to highlight effects of climate change

From global climate strikes led by Greta Thunberg to forest fires, environmental issues have never been so topical. Although many of us know we need to make sustainable changes, it can be difficult to grasp what the effects of climate change will look like, if we don’t take action.

But now, a new installation at Killerton in Broadclyst, Devon is offering visitors the chance to travel into the future to 2050 and experience the impact of climate change for themselves.

The first-of-its-kind immersive experience, created through CGI and augmented reality technology, will...

 New prop for the Sweet Chestnut at Killerton. Photo: Chantelle Barry

‘Prop’er job for Killerton’s iconic Sweet Chestnut tree

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Mon, 06/03/2019 - 10:29am

The majestic Sweet Chestnut tree that stands proudly next to Killerton House has had some special care and attention, as tree consultants installed a new support for its largest branch.

The tree, estimated to be over 400 years old, is an instantly recognisable part of the walk along the drive to the house. Its largest branch sits at an impressive 90 degrees to the main trunk and had been propped up with wooden beams over 80 years ago. However the prop was beginning to weather and become unstable, putting the branch at risk of collapse.

Mat Shute from East Devon Tree Care...

Help to count the birds and the bees at Killerton’s BioBlitz

On Sunday 28 April, the Killerton rangers need your help to count and learn about the creatures that live in Ashclyst Forest.

Come along to Caddihoe Scout Camp and help the team with some hands on bug hunting, flower counting and butterfly spotting at the BioBlitz day. Everything you help us find will be fed into a database to help understand more about which animals are living in the woods.

The day kicks off bright and early with a dawn chorus walk where you can enjoy the early morning bird song. Expert led walks and wildlife survey fun will then continue throughout the...

What connects wood, fashion and 100 years of the Forestry Commission?

A new fashion exhibition, the ‘Tree of Life,’ is celebrating the connection of the National Trust’s Killerton estate to the founding of the Forestry Commission in 1919.

It’s a little known fact that 100 years ago, Devon MP Francis Acland, whose family owned the Killerton estate, was one of the founding fathers of the committee which led to the creation of the Forestry Commission in 1919. To mark the centenary of his contribution, Killerton’s new ‘Tree of Life’ fashion exhibition explores the connection between trees and what we wear, including high-fashion pieces made from...

A juicy future for new Killerton Orchard

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Sun, 03/10/2019 - 11:13pm

On Wednesday 20 February, National Trust staff and volunteers came together with the ‘Great Trees in the Clyst Valley’ project to plant a new orchard on the Killerton estate. The orchard is the ninth that is looked after by the Killerton ranger team, with 48 people rallying together on the day to get stuck in and get dirt under their nails.

38 orchard trees of dessert and cooking apples were planted in total, including varieties such as Cornish Aromatic, Blenheim Orange and Sunset. The new crop of apples will one day help to support the harvest that feeds into the juice produced by...

Sparkling Snow Queen fairy tale photos to celebrate Christmas at Killerton

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Mon, 12/17/2018 - 12:30pm

A spell has been cast over Killerton this Christmas as volunteers and staff at Killerton, near Exeter, have worked together to create magical photos to reflect the story of Hans Christian Anderson’s The Snow Queen. Each year, to sprinkle a little extra Christmas magic and celebrate the start of the festive season, Killerton staff and volunteers team up with photographer Steve Haywood to create magical images of the story to celebrate the start of Christmas. This year the stars of the photos were Freckle, a 12-year old Irish draught horse from Tiverton and Gabi a 6-year-old snowy owl. Both...

Christmas arrives at Killerton

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Sat, 11/24/2018 - 11:34pm

Killerton, near Exeter, has been transformed for Christmas, with The Snow Queen and Father Christmas arriving to begin the festive celebrations. The house will be open from Saturday 24 November and will transport visitors into Hans Christian Andersen’s mystical world of The Snow Queen. The story will take place throughout the house, with the rooms in the Georgian mansion transformed into scenes from this much-loved tale of friendship and adventure. The magic will continue outside with a Snow Queen themed activity trail set under twinkling festive lights. Taking place in the parkland and...

Six tonnes of apples harvested in time for Killerton’s Apple Festival

Over 700 people have helped continue the tradition of hand-picking apples from the orchard at the National Trust’s Killerton estate, in time to be pressed at Killerton’s Apple Festival on 13 and 14 October. Thanks to hundreds of helping hands they were able to pick approximately 6 tonnes of apples, ready for the start of the cider and apple making season. The apples are harvested then pressed on a 200-year-old cider press during the event to make the estate’s award winning cider and apple juice, which people can see being made at the apple festival this weekend. Killerton is home to 50...

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