Three historically important travelling trunks, which are believed to date from before 1796, have recently been away for conservation repair and have returned ready for display to help tell the story of this unique sixteen-sided house.
The trunks are an important part of A La Ronde’s history. They are thought to have gone on the Grand Tour of Europe with Jane and Mary Parminter in the 1780s. It was following this Tour that the cousins returned and began creating their home in Exmouth by building A la Ronde around 1796, influenced by what they had seen.
Across Devon, National Trust gardens are filling with colourful spring blooms, and houses are looking tip-top after their intensive winter cleans. There’s loads going on this season with guided tours, exhibitions, and Easter egg hunts. What’s more, every time you experience a National Trust day out, you help care for these special places for future generations.
Buckland Abbey
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/buckland-abbey
History of the Abbey through its art
Every Mon, until 18 Apr. 2-3.30pm.
Join a guided tour and discover the history of Buckland...
Experience the magic of Christmas with a special illuminated trail perfect for friends and family at Killerton, near Exeter.
What better way to walk off festive feasts than to enjoy an enchanting walk in the fresh air with loved ones?
Christmas at Killerton, which opened last month, creates timeless memories as visitors explore a beautiful world of lights and colour at the stunning National Trust property.
Matthew Findlay, Head of UK Trails for Raymond Gubbay, said: “As the festive holiday approaches, Christmas at Killerton is the perfect place to spend an...
The countdown to Christmas has begun and the National Trust’s Killerton in Exeter welcomed a brand-new glittering illuminated trail on Friday evening.
Visitors marvelled at more than a million twinkling lights, colourful trees and amazing illuminated installations, which were choreographed to a soundtrack of much-loved seasonal music to transform Killerton’s majestic gardens into a winter wonderland.
Festive fun facts about the Killerton trail 2021:
50 metres of pea lights feature in the Tunnel of Light
The first Roman fort on National Trust land in Devon has been confirmed at a site on the Killerton estate. A fortnight’s dig at Budlake Farm, on the estate, has proven a long-held theory that a First Century Roman fort was sited there.
The Devon fort joins a list of over 100 Roman forts on National Trust land around the UK.
Led by Trust archaeologist Martin Papworth, a team of archaeology volunteers and staff found evidence of a triple-ditched fort enclosure as well as a coin, samian pottery and ironwork thought to be from between 50-70 AD.
The National Trust is launching a new ‘grow-along’ to help people grow their own loofahs, which can be used as a sustainable alternative to plastic washing up sponges.
In 2019, the team at Knightshayes in Devon grew their first crop of loofahs – the fruit of Luffa cylindrica , a vine in the cucumber family – and began using them to wash dishes as an alternative to disposable, plastic-based sponges. Extra loofahs were sold in the onsite shop.
Senior Gardener Bev Todd says: “The interest in the loofahs was extraordinary. A lot of people bought their own seeds and were...
Airing weekly from Sunday 23 August 2020, a new six-part Channel 4 series presented by George Clarke offers a behind-the-scenes look at some of the National Trust’s most remarkable properties during their closure to visitors. Featured in the show are 11 houses, gardens and coastal sites in the South West, including Hidcote, Tyntesfield, Kingston Lacy, Studland Bay, Corfe Castle and Killerton.
‘George Clarke’s National Trust Unlocked’ sees George discover some of the UK’s most impressive historic homes; finding out more about the fascinating architecture, design and stories behind...
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....
The National Trust is calling for people around the UK to share their letters with the conservation charity and its followers and members, about their lockdown experiences. The Trust plans to add a selection to its historic collection of letters.
In the two-week period from 11-25 March, the charity saw a 1,000% jump in visits to the notecard category of its online shop, suggesting people were anticipating that traditional handwritten notes and letters would be a key way to keep in touch during the lockdown.
The National Trust’s Head Curator, Sally-Anne Huxtable, says: “...
On Saturday 29 February, keen visitors and volunteers joined Killerton rangers to plant trees at Ellerhayes.
Over 200 trees were planted alongside the River Culm to contribute towards the variety of wildlife habitats at Killerton, helping to support animals and plants on the estate. At the same time, visitors were encouraged to make a promise for nature to plant along with their tree.
The growing trees will not only create a new nature haven but will also provide natural flood management by slowing water flow into the river, easing the burden on existing flood defences....
