All hands on deck to keep Knightshayes looking shipshape

Discover unseen parts of Knightshayes this January and February, as the house team get to grips with their annual deep cleaning of the house and collection while, outside, work is in full swing installing a new biomass boiler.

This time of year is the perfect chance to find out more about the behind-the-scenes work that goes into keeping the house and estate looking as good as it does throughout the rest of the year. Unusually, the Knightshayes team will be undertaking this crucial work in the public eye.

Traditionally, National Trust properties are closed during the winter months, but Knightshayes feels it’s the perfect time to see conservation work taking place first-hand and explore different rooms, including the rooms containing stored collections when they are not on display. Visitors will also be able to enter houses through Lady Joyce Amory’s former flat, which is not normally open to visitors.

“It’s a rare opportunity to see what goes on in order to preserve and keep the house looking its best for generations to come”, says Lewis Paterson, the General Manager at Knightshayes. “As the largest conservation charity in Europe, we work hard to look after our places so they can be enjoyed by everyone for ever.”

Outdoors, work will be underway to install the new boiler. Servicing both the house and stables, it will be fuelled using wood from the wider estate so the estate will no longer be reliant on oil. This time of year is also perfect for those with four legs, as dogs are welcome in the formal and woodland garden right through to the end of February. 

Each Sunday during January and February, after exploring the house, gardens or parkland, visitors can feast on a carvery made using either locally-sourced or home-grown produce, as well as lots of delicious cakes or other meals. The shop and Stables Café will remain open every day from 10am until 4pm.