Archaeologists working with the National Trust’s Killerton estate believe they may have found the location of the lost Killerton mansion that was started in 1775, but never completed. The lost house was re-discovered almost by accident. Rumours of the mansion, three times bigger than the surviving building at Killerton and more befitting of the Acland family’s wealth and status, have circulated for many years - but no-one has been able to find where the building work was located. All that has remained of the mansion are designs by renowned architect, James Wyatt, a few surviving records...
The phrase ‘a stitch in time saves nine’ could not be further from the truth for a group of dedicated National Trust volunteers who have spent 5,200 hours sewing life into old chairs. The group, from Killerton House, has been sewing individual tapestries into 16 chairs since January last year and are coming to the end of the momentous project just as Killerton celebrates National Volunteers Week. This year, the House has been reinterpreted to tell the story of how the Acland family gave away their home for the benefit of the nation and the volunteers have carried the thread of the story by...
Police are appealing for witnesses after belongings and cash were taken during a burglary at a residential property on the Killerton Estate, in the Hele area of Exeter.
Offenders entered the home through an insecure window sometime between 2pm and 2.45pm on Thursday 11 May, while the resident was out.
The offender managed to escape having taken a handbag containing cash and cards from the kitchen table.
Residents in the area are asked to remain vigilant and to remember to keep their property secure, including keeping windows closed when they are out.
Petrol heads can get their fill of vintage vehicles this spring at Killerton, when over 400 classic car enthusiasts take a pit stop in the historic parkland to showcase their polished pride and joys. The roaring event takes place on Sunday 14 May at the Killerton Estate, just outside of Exeter. With a backdrop arguably as beautiful as the auto motives, visitors can cruise into summer by admiring hundreds of classics while soaking up the surrounding cared-for landscape. Buttercup, a 1950’s yellow truck, will also be making a special guest appearance with the vintage vocal trio, ‘The Liberty...
Killerton House, near Exeter, has received a major £20,000 boost towards their overall fundraising target of £100,000 to plug the gaps in its leaking roof. Viridor Credits Environmental Company has awarded a grant via the Landfill Communities Fund to help to bring the historic roof scape back to life.
The £20,000 grant will fund rebuilding chimneys to their original heights and features, providing aesthetic value and symmetry to the mansion. Archive photographs of Killerton House have been carefully researched to inform the designs. Some chimneys will also be lined to allow the...
The National Trust garden at Killerton, near Exeter, has been chosen as one of only ten gardens nationwide to host a prestigious two year trainee programme. As the only garden in the south west taking part in the Historic and Botanic Garden Trainee Programme (HBGTP), Killerton will host a trainee gardener for two years from September 2017. Karl Emeleus, Killerton’s Head Gardener, said: “We have a long history of taking trainees here at Killerton. The garden’s unique setting and unusual style make it a great place to work and learn. The team here believes that passing on skills is a...
After nearly 120 years, iconic portraits of the Acland family members, who lived in the Georgian mansion, have been moved as part of a new exhibition inside Killerton House, near Exeter.
Their relocation from the water damaged stairway means the National Trust can commence a vital project to repair the leaking roof and conserve the building. The paintings, which include Killerton’s largest portrait, are some of the most significant objects in the house’s collection. For the first time since 1898, they have been carefully relocated from the stairway to protect them from the project...
Killerton House near Exeter, looked after by the National Trust, has launched a major fundraising campaign to plug the holes in its leaking roof.
£100,000 is needed to help pay for work due to start in late February which will prevent the threat of water damage to the much loved house and collection, which includes a unique Trust fashion collection. The money raised will also go towards carrying out vital work to conserve the roof over the house, exterior walls, windows, chimneys and parapets, as part the Trust’s ongoing commitment to care for Killerton. Thanks to a very generous...
Christmas is coming and, to get in the mood, I headed to Killerton House’s Christmas wonderland.
Picking the Christmas tree has been a tradition in my family since I can remember. Unlike the advent calendar (which is often started late), it is the definitive mark of our Christmas beginning.
So to roll this into a festive house, lit garden and carol singers was the perfect first note to start our Christmas.
Each year, the house is beautifully decorated to a theme. Last year, it was an enchanting Narnia and this year, it was Brother’s Grimm story. It was enchanting to...
