Blooming marvellous at Knightshayes

Spring is finally doing its thing at Knightshayes. It has come not a moment too soon as on Monday 12 May the National Trust property on the outskirts of Tiverton is hosting its annual National Gardens Scheme (NGS) open day.

The NGS was founded in 1927 to raise money for the Queen's Nursing Institute by opening gardens of quality and interest to the public. During this time, over £35 million has been donated to nursing, caring and gardening societies. Knightshayes was one of the first to join the scheme, well before the Trust took on the house and its hugely significant gardens in 1972.

Knightshayes takes part in the scheme every year, choosing to donate one day’s admissions to the NGS. In return, the NGS has funded the training of a number of gardeners wishing to study for qualifications in heritage gardening, many of whom have gone on to work within the National Trust.

Emma Robertson, Formal and Woodland Garden Supervisor said of the scheme:

“I‘ve worked with many trainees who have come to the Trust through the NGS careership scheme, and I can’t speak highly enough of the opportunities it’s offered countless people who would otherwise have never been given the chance to pursue their passion.

“It’s also helped ensure that the unique skills required to delivery heritage gardening are preserved for the future, to enable us to continue properly caring for beautiful gardens Like Knightshayes. Now is also the perfect time to be visiting the gardens, especially the woodland garden, as they’re in full bloom- packed with rhododendrons, camellias and azaleas.”

The gardens team at Knightshayes are delivering a series of introductory tours of both the Kitchen and Formal & Woodland Gardens throughout the day, talking about their significance, and why the continued conservation work is so important. The tours will be running at 12noon, 2pm and 3pm, and will be free to join. Normal admission charges apply for entry to the house and gardens, which will all be donated to the NGS.