On Sunday 18 September Finch Foundry in the village of Sticklepath, Dartmoor, will be hosting an exhibition of rural skills both new and old. There will be a range of craftspeople in the Foundry gardens displaying their skills and selling their products, including sugar crafting, loom weaving, rag rugging, wine production, a wood turner, a wool fleece manufacturer, and a blacksmith. There will also be a village duck race, continuing a tradition first started in Sticklepath over 30 years ago. Ben Shapcott, Foundry Manager, says: “We have held several rural craft fairs in the past and, after...
Killerton estate apple juice fought off stiff competition to take home Overall Drinks Winner at the National Trust’s Fine Farm Produce Awards and Killerton won four more awards for its sparkling cider, charcoal, honey, and its Clyston Mill stoneground flour. The Fine Farm Produce Awards recognise the best food and drink being produced by National Trust farms and estates. Now in their 11th year, the awards acknowledge the contribution to nature conservation and quality food and drink by the farmers and producers who occupy the 500,000 acres of farmland in the care of the National Trust. The...
As the summer holidays descend upon us, Knightshayes have kicked off the summer with a packed out programme of exciting events. These include the opportunity to climb the biggest Turkey Oak tree in England as well as achieve lots of the activities on the National Trust’s ‘50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾’ list.
Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during the summer holidays, there’ll be plenty of chances to get outdoors and close to nature exploring Knightshayes’ wider woodland and parkland. 2 - 4 August: Plant it, Grow it, Eat it. With a huge, fully productive kitchen garden,...
It’s official - the stick is this summer’s must-have item! With the power to unleash every child’s imagination, the humble stick can be transformed into a wand, a way marker, a sword or a wild animal. Sticks are also essential tools for trying many of the ‘50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾’ activities.
Research commissioned for the National Trust revealed that over 82 per cent of parents in the South West felt that the stick is the perfect catalyst for inspiring their children’s creative urges. In this region, children today spend about half the time playing outdoors that their...
This summer, three laugh-out-loud performances will entertain the crowds at Killerton near Exeter. The evening theatre shows will be brought to life by Heartbreak Productions and The Lord Chamberlains Men against the backdrop of the National Trust hillside garden. The entertainment kicks off on Thursday 14 July, 7.30-10pm, with Heartbreak Productions adaption of Oscar Wilde’s classic ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’. Expect hilarious mistaken identities as everyone learns the vital importance of being earnest. On Tuesday 2 August, 7-10pm, the Lord Chamberlain’s Men reimagine Shakespeare’s...
Sixty-four nine-year-olds from Year 5 at Broadclyst Community Primary School (BCPS) will be taking on the challenge of re-enacting a famous day in Devon’s history when they perform It’s our land in the house and grounds at National Trust Killerton on 16 and 17 June.
The youngsters will recreate the momentous day in 1925 when 20,000 people packed the parklands at Killerton to hear liberal politician and statesman Lloyd George deliver his powerful Land Reform speech to the people of Devon. This eagerly-anticipated speech took place at a time between the wars when landowners, farm...
Around 500 vintage vehicles are parking up in style to celebrate Classic Car Day at Killerton, the National Trust estate outside Exeter.
On Sunday 15 May, visitors can admire unique cars, enjoy live bands and shop at food and craft stalls against the backdrop of the historic parkland. Classic car enthusiasts travel far and wide to show off their prized vehicles at the popular event in the hope of winning the coveted Killerton House Cup for the ‘best car in show’. In addition, visitors can explore over 40 stalls selling jewellery, furniture, silk scarves and textiles; and food...
On Saturday 7 May the National Trust’s Killerton estate will be asking for volunteers and visitors to come along and help search high and low for wildlife across its meadows, woodland and parkland. The team at Killerton need volunteers to help count everything they find and take part in the first BioBlitz to be held in the iconic parkland.
Everyone is welcome to take part, and whether you’re 6 or 60, every species found will help to create an important scientific record. The National Trust is hoping to record more than 200 species over a 12 hour period, looking out for birds, bats...
After the long wet winter, Castle Drogo’s rhododendron garden is bursting into colour following vital conservation work and visitors can now stroll through the new paths and admire the vivid plants and other spring flowers such as daffodils, camellias and bluebells carpeting the garden floor.
For those who find accessing areas such as the garden or wider Drogo estate difficult, there is now a tramper available to hire as part of the Countryside Mobility South West scheme. The tramper route takes in some of the most fragrant parts of the garden including the azalea path and rose...
