A 12 foot community yarn-bomb has exploded in the orchard at Killerton National Trust estate near Exeter.
The culprits are an army of 50 knitters and pom-pom bombers from across Devon and as far flung as Oregon in the United States.
Their combined efforts have burst Killerton’s retired apple tree back to life by entirely covering it in 400 individually knitted leaves, 50 apple-pompoms and hand-knitted woolly wildlife including game birds, squirrels, hedgehogs, frogs and a swarm of Killerton bees.
The yarn-bomb will be on proud display throughout the Killerton Cider...
On Saturday 22 November, runners, joggers and active youngsters can experience a new night time running event at Killerton Estate near Exeter.
Killerton Night Run offers two cross-country distances to either walk or run. Both the 1.5k Explore Route and the more challenging 6k Adventure Route are traffic free and marshalled by volunteers. Mulled wine and hot food will also be on sale.
On the same night Killerton switches on their Christmas lights. However, the Night Run courses are not lit, so head-torches or good hand torches are essential. Runners are encouraged to enter...
Killerton apple festival takes place on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 October from 10am-5pm.
The orchard will be festooned with bunting, stalls scattered between the apple trees, Morris dancers will bless the orchard for a good crop of apples for the following harvest plus a lot more.
It's going to be a weekend full of fun and activities and it would be a shame to have to wait a whole year before you could experience the Apple Festival.
For further info http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/killerton/visitor-information/
It’s almost that time of year, when National Trust staff at Knightshayes Court get to hone their hair dressing skills as the topiary in the Formal Garden receives its annual hair cut
The fox and hound topiary was planted Sir John and Lady Joyce Heathcoat-Amory, the last members of the family to live at Knightshayes, who were passionate and well respected gardeners and who dedicated much of their later lives to the creation of the renowned gardens.
The topiary consists of seven hounds and a fox, along with four large heads modelled on Talbot hounds. The Talbot hound, an...
During the summer holidays, Lydford Gorge has a number of events to tempt children and their families away from their television and computer screens, outside and closer to nature with all the benefits that this brings.
The Lydford Gorge walk is stunning at any time of the year and through the holidays there is also a butterfly trail. This trail is designed to teach people the differences between the butterflies found on Dartmoor, making that learning a fun experience so that everyone can then have a go spotting and naming real butterflies in the wild. There is a prize for all...
Holiday-makers and locals have one more chance to explore the farm at Lower Halsdon in Exmouth on Friday 15 August.
Not usually open to the public, this is a rare opportunity to visit a working farm to meet the animals and try some fun family activities. The National Trust ranger team will be there to show visitors round the farm and get everyone involved in the ‘50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾ ‘ nationwide challenge.
“Lower Halsdon is a National Trust tenanted farm and we are keen to show people what there is to see there”, explains Chris Jones, East Devon Countryside...
On Wednesday 30 July, family and scout groups had a summer adventure with the ranger team at Knightshayes, the National Trust property on the outskirts of Tiverton. These visitors became National Trust rangers for the day by helping to restore a historic parkland feature to its former glory.
1st Tiverton Scouts and families had some messy fun when clearing out an overgrown parkland water feature, and even discovered some unusual creepy crawlies living in the grassland nearby. To say thank you, Knightshayes staff took these hard working volunteers to discover what lurks in their...
There’s no need to struggle for ways to entertain the family over the summer holidays. Just look towards your local National Trust property, A la Ronde, near Exmouth, where there’s a wealth of activities to keep everyone entertained.
Come along and have a go at the free, family-friendly, outdoor summer quiz trail which runs from 26 July to 7 September, 10.30am - 4.30pm. The team are also offering their very popular summer craft activities on 29 July, 5, 12 and 19 August from 11am to 4pm. Pop along and create a selection of fun things to take home. There will be something different...
Why not join knowledgeable experts at A la Ronde on Saturday and Sunday, 12-13 July, from 11am until 4pm to find out lots of interesting facts about the butterflies and moths that live in the area.
Spot and identify native species in the meadows that surround the National Trust house near Exmouth and discover more about their life-cycle and habitats.
Mary Harold, Publicity Officer for the Devon branch of Butterfly Conservation said: “We are really looking forward to the butterfly weekend. As well as butterfly walks, we shall be setting a moth trap to see what is about. Last...
Have a summer adventure at Knightshayes on the outskirts of Tiverton.
Families can try their hand at being Rangers for the day in the beautiful landscaped parkland and rugged woodland on Wednesday 30 and Thursday 31 July.
Get on your outdoor gear, garden gloves and sturdy shoes to help bash some brambles and clear some laurel. After a picnic lunch, the Knightshayes team will help you discover what lurks in their ponds (ticking off pond dipping in the list of the 50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾). Rangers will also be teaching the skills needed for green woodworking....
