The National Trust is celebrating the rich heritage of Killerton’s orchards, near Exeter, this October. From 10 October to 3 November, visitors can enjoy daily apple-themed activities and join the ranger team on weekends to press apples and learn about traditional cider-making.
On 16 & 17 October, Killerton is offering guided walks through one of the estate’s heritage orchards to the home of the 200-year-old apple press, with booking essential. Visitors will meet members of the ranger team, who will demonstrate the use of the press and share the history of Killerton’s cider...
Visitors are invited to take a leisurely stroll through the glorious garden of Killerton this summer, taking in the sights and scents of the terrace garden now it's in bloom.
Karl Emeleus, Head Gardener at Killerton said: "Midsummer is a great time to visit as the mixed borders are full of colour.
"There is also plenty to see elsewhere in the garden, including Cornus ‘Norman Hadden’, one of my favourite small trees that is growing near the Lady Cott.
"It has glorious white bracts that mature to pink, which are followed by strawberry-like fruits in autumn."...
A long-lost Elizabethan manor house that swapped hands between the Royalists and the Parliamentarians during the English Civil War has been ‘unearthed’ by archaeology students and volunteers.
Excavations on the National Trust-managed Killerton estate in East Devon has found some of the remains of Columbjohn, the mansion that originally sat at its heart, and which once hosted Thomas Fairfax and Oliver Cromwell.
A cobbled courtyard, two ranges of buildings, parts of a demolished outer precinct wall and a probable sunken garden were all uncovered by the team, led by...
During May half term across Devon, National Trust places are hosting an array of family friendly activities. From getting to know barn owls to discovering patterns in nature and hunting for reptiles to following and archaeological dig there’s lots to keep the whole family entertained.
What’s more, every time you experience a National Trust day out, you help care for these special places for future generations.
Here is what’s happening near you this May half term, please check property website for opening days and times:
In 1944 Sir Richard Dyke Acland and his wife Lady Anne made the decision to hand over their ancestral estates to the conservation charity as being hereditary landowners was at odds with their political beliefs. Their wish was that the land be enjoyed by everyone and for the countryside to be protected.
Today, as well as welcoming visitors throughout the year, both estates are home to pioneering nature conservation projects.
At Holnicote, these include the re-introduction of beavers to Exmoor, the Stage Zero river restoration where the River Aller has been reconnected to...
The first phase of conservation work on National Trust Killerton’s historic Grade I listed chapel is now complete.
The restoration of the chapel has seen repairs to different elements of the building. The iconic rose window, which was showing signs of decay, has been removed, re-leaded and reinstated. Broken panes in some of the other stained-glass windows have been repaired and cleaned. Tom Coombe, Collections and House Manager at Killerton, talks excitedly, “I was delighted to see the rose window return to Killerton after being cleaned and conserved. The nineteenth century...
The National Trust’s Killerton, near Exeter, has begun an extensive interventive conservation plan to repair the historic chapel. The Chapel of the Holy Evangelists at Killerton was built in 1841 at the request of Sir Thomas Acland, 10th Baronet.
Designed as a grand chapel by C. R. Cockerell and is based upon the Lady Chapel and Crypt of Joseph of Arimathea at Glastonbury. It is Killerton’s only Grade I listed building and so the most significant building on the Estate.
The chapel was in need of extensive repair and building works began on the stonework structure in...
The National Trust is today (Monday 20 March) launching its annual blossom campaign, which aims to bring the beauty of blossom to more people and to celebrate the start of spring.
However, due to repeated cold snaps particular in recent weeks and the driest February in thirty years, Britons may need to wait a little longer than usual to be able to enjoy nature’s most beautiful displays, as cold temperatures, wind and snow lead to difficult conditions for flowering trees and hedgerows across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
‘Thirsty for Fashion’ a new exhibition at Killerton house just outside Exeter, will showcase over 50 items from the National Trust’s largest fashion collection, highlighting pieces that demonstrate the techniques used to repair, remodel, reuse and rewear clothing from the 18th century to the present day.
The exhibition, running from 11 February to 5 November, will also feature some of the ways contemporary designers and makers are rethinking our approach to fashion as our collective understanding of the environmental impact of the fashion industry grows.
The National Trust Estate at Killerton has joined forces with Devon Carers this Christmas by inviting the charity’s Peer Support Craft Group to decorate one of the trees inside the house.
Earlier this year, Killerton signed up to become a Carer Friendly Devon supporter and the two organisations have already carried out some great work together.
In the run-up to Christmas, Killerton invited Devon Carers to put its stamp on one of the fir trees in the chapel. The Peer Support Craft Group made a wonderful array of different decorations and the Peer Support team did a...
