Killerton

Killerton House, near Exeter, has received a major £20,000 boost towards their overall fundraising target of £100,000 to plug the gaps in its leaking roof. Viridor Credits Environmental Company has awarded a grant via the Landfill Communities Fund to help to bring the historic roof scape back to life.

The £20,000 grant will fund rebuilding chimneys to their original heights and features, providing aesthetic value and symmetry to the mansion. Archive photographs of Killerton House have been carefully researched to inform the designs. Some chimneys will also be lined to allow the...

The National Trust garden at Killerton, near Exeter, has been chosen as one of only ten gardens nationwide to host a prestigious two year trainee programme. As the only garden in the south west taking part in the Historic and Botanic Garden Trainee Programme (HBGTP), Killerton will host a trainee gardener for two years from September 2017. Karl Emeleus, Killerton’s Head Gardener, said: “We have a long history of taking trainees here at Killerton. The garden’s unique setting and unusual style make it a great place to work and learn. The team here believes that passing on skills is a...

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...

Christmas is coming and, to get in the mood, I headed to Killerton House’s Christmas wonderland.

Picking the Christmas tree has been a tradition in my family since I can remember. Unlike the advent calendar (which is often started late), it is the definitive mark of our Christmas beginning.

So to roll this into a festive house, lit garden and carol singers was the perfect first note to start our Christmas.

Each year, the house is beautifully decorated to a theme. Last year, it was an enchanting Narnia and this year, it was Brother’s Grimm story. It was enchanting to...

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...

On Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 November between 10.30am-4:00pm the ground floor of Killerton House will be fit to burst with over 50 stalls, showcasing some of the best crafts and produce that the West Country has to offer. There will be plenty of unique gifts to pick up including local crafts plus a chance to enjoy a day out at Killerton’s picturesque garden. Killerton’s annual craft fair kicks off the festive season by giving you a chance to start your Christmas shopping early in some of the mansions beautiful historic rooms. There will be gift inspiration to suit all tastes, from jewellery...

National Trust rangers are working with expert, local horse loggers to protect an Iron Age hill fort on the Killerton estate, near Exeter, as part of a major parkland restoration project.

Next week will see heavy horses start to sensitively extract timber from the historic site, known locally as ‘The Clump.’ Visitors will be able to see heritage conservation in action on an open day to the forestry site on Saturday 5th November, 10am ‘til 3pm. ‘The Clump’ refers to the group of 150 year old beech trees which were planted on top of the Iron Age hill fort behind Killerton House, when...