Winding up for a busy winter at Knightshayes

If you go down to the gardens at Knightshayes this half term, you’ll be in for a big surprise.

With giant spiders, ghostly figures and busy gardeners, the National Trust team on the outskirts of Tiverton have lots on to see the summer out and the winter in.

Along with the popular annual trail around the gardens from 26 October to 3 November, there will also be craft activities and a face painter from 29 to 31 October. Both children and adults will have the chance to get their hands dirty in the formal garden, as the team attempt the mammoth task of planting over 10,000 spring bulbs in an area that was heavily altered by the removal of over 200 larch trees due to disease last year.

Emma Robertson, Formal Garden Supervisor, explains: "Last year was a pretty hectic year for us and the team were pretty devastated by the removal of so many trees from Sir John’s area of the garden; but we had to ask ourselves what the Amory’s would have done, and it would have been to turn it into an opportunity to develop the garden further. So, with that in mind, we ordered over 10,000 spring bulbs, so we could give the area a new lease of life. Now we just need to plant them all."

The team will be out there every afternoon from 2pm-4pm on the 29, 30 and 31 October; and are hoping that as many green fingered visitors as possible will come along and help them.

"We can plant about 80 bulbs an hour on our own, which sounds like a lot until you think of how many we’re trying to get through,! says Emma. Visitors will be encouraged to offer a hand and, in exchange, can come back and see the fruits of their labour next spring with the offer of free admission vouchers.

Those who are unable to come along during half term won’t miss out though with £1 entry for everyone visiting Knightshayes during November and December.

With a Christmas Food and Craft Fair, the house decorated in the run up to Christmas, and a festive carvery menu available in the café, the team are looking forward to a busy winter.