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...
If running is a New Year’s resolution this year, bring your family and friends and join us for the National Trust’s Night Run on Saturday 26 January at East Soar Farm, near Salcombe.
The ancient farmland and woodlands are shrouded in mystery so experiencing them at night will add a whole new dimension to your running experience.
There are two options to suit all runners. The Explorer route is 2 km and starts at 4.30pm and the Adventurer route is 9 km and starts at 5.30pm. Registration for both routes starts at 4pm.
Simon Arnold, a volunteer for the National Trust, has started a challenge to play nearly every working piano or organ at a National Trust property in the south west, all to raise money to help keep music alive in these historic places. Simon’s challenge, ‘Pachelbel’s Progress’ will see him head off to play at a total of 15 places over 11 days in September, not a small task! The repertoire will be chosen to reflect the spirit of each place, with pieces including Greensleeves, Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven, The Charleston, Clair de Lune by Debussy and The Entertainer. Money raised from the...
The National Trust’s Knightshayes in Tiverton is asking for visitors, members and volunteers to share their memories and stories of the property to help celebrate the 150 year anniversary of laying of the foundation stone of the house in 1869. The property will be hosting a series of celebration events in 2019 but need the community to help kick things off this September with a special project, ‘Mapping Knightshayes Connections’.
Do you have a personal recollection of Knightshayes, a fond memory, a photograph or even an artefact you would like to share with us as part of our...
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...
The National Trust has developed a series of British Sign Language videos (BSL) to give the Deaf community better access to the history of Killerton House and the Acland family that once lived there. The videos take visitors on a journey around the home, explaining key Acland figures and the history behind each room. The BSL videos have been created and presented by a Deaf volunteer from Heritage Ability. Heritage Ability is a scheme helping over 20 heritage places across the South West to become more accessible to disabled people and Deaf people. It is one of many services offered by user...
Every third Monday of the month Shelly Tobin, Costume Curator at Killerton, and her assistant Charlotte Eddington, open their workshop door to the public, giving them an insight into the largest fashion collection in the National Trust. Visitors can gain exclusive access to part of the Killerton fashion store, handle some items in the study collection, take a guided tour of the current fashion exhibition Branded: fashion, femininity and the right to vote and enjoy a chat over tea and biscuits. Shelley Tobin, Costume Curator said: ‘We are really excited to be offering this opportunity to...
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...
‘Many suffragists spend more money on clothes than they can comfortable afford, rather than run the risk of being considered outré and doing harm to the cause’ Sylvia Pankhurst
The fashion collection at Killerton has opened its doors for 2018 with a new exhibition called Branded: Fashion, femininity and the right to vote. To mark 100 years since some women got the right to vote, the exhibition reflects the timeline of the campaign for women’s suffrage from 1866 until 1928 through the changing styles of fashion.
The exhibition highlights the relationship between politics and...
If you’re after a traditional family Christmas, why not head to Knightshayes, near Tiverton this December where you’ll find festive decorations, winter illuminations and have a chance to meet the jolly man himself. Taking place until 23 December (11am-5pm), this National Trust Gothic house will be adorned with traditional Victorian decorations, including eight real Christmas trees and six handmade dollhouses. Visitors can wander from room to room and learn about Victorian Christmas traditions that are still around today, such as the story of crackers and the traditional advent wreath. A...
