The National Trust at Knightshayes in Devon is excited to announce the return of daily upstairs tours of its spectacular Gothic Revival house. Running throughout June, the volunteer-led tours offer an opportunity for visitors to visit the first floor at Knightshayes for the first time since 2019. The tours are one of many events taking place this year as the property celebrates 50 years since it was gifted to the National Trust.
The house at Knightshayes is a rare example of the work of William Burges, whose lavish designs have always inspired extremes of opinion. The upstairs...
The National Trust is launching a new ‘grow-along’ to help people grow their own loofahs, which can be used as a sustainable alternative to plastic washing up sponges.
In 2019, the team at Knightshayes in Devon grew their first crop of loofahs – the fruit of Luffa cylindrica , a vine in the cucumber family – and began using them to wash dishes as an alternative to disposable, plastic-based sponges. Extra loofahs were sold in the onsite shop.
Senior Gardener Bev Todd says: “The interest in the loofahs was extraordinary. A lot of people bought their own seeds and were...
In celebration of National Tree Week, there will be tree planting in conjunction with the Tiverton Tree Team at Knightshayes this November to help boost the impressive tree collection that calls Knightshayes its home.
The planting, taking place on Saturday 30 November will help to replace the three mature oak trees which were taken out from the bottom of the driveway in October last year due to tree disease being identified at their base. The disease known as Ganoderma, a tree fungus, degraded the tree from the base upwards, and from the outside can be hard to detect, as the trees...
A glimmering archway of golden stars, hand-moulded by hundreds of visitors to Knightshayes, has been created as an art installation heralding the start of the festive season at the National Trust property near Tiverton.
Visitors will be able to walk through a glistening archway from the Gothic house into its Victorian conservatory, looking up to see a star-studded ceiling twinkling with decorations made by children and adults who visited Knightshayes during October half-term. Over 450 Christmas decorations were made by visitors and the team at the house are hoping visitors might be...
Veg lovers are being invited to ‘taste a piece of history’ at Knightshayes, near Tiverton, at a celebration of all things tomato on Saturday 7 September.
As caretakers of around 150 varieties of heritage tomato seeds, the garden team at the National Trust property have been growing 29 varieties this year. These 29 varieties will be the stars of the show at the ‘Terrific Tomato Day’ in September and the public are invited to see, smell and taste some of the tomatoes grown from the ‘living library’ kept at Knightshayes.
The 2.5 acre walled garden at Knightshayes is home to...
The National Trust’s Knightshayes in Tiverton is asking for visitors, members and volunteers to share their memories and stories of the property to help celebrate the 150 year anniversary of laying of the foundation stone of the house in 1869. The property will be hosting a series of celebration events in 2019 but need the community to help kick things off this September with a special project, ‘Mapping Knightshayes Connections’.
Do you have a personal recollection of Knightshayes, a fond memory, a photograph or even an artefact you would like to share with us as part of our...
If you’re after a traditional family Christmas, why not head to Knightshayes, near Tiverton this December where you’ll find festive decorations, winter illuminations and have a chance to meet the jolly man himself. Taking place until 23 December (11am-5pm), this National Trust Gothic house will be adorned with traditional Victorian decorations, including eight real Christmas trees and six handmade dollhouses. Visitors can wander from room to room and learn about Victorian Christmas traditions that are still around today, such as the story of crackers and the traditional advent wreath. A...
A project is underway at Knightshayes as part of an effort to create an archive of recorded memories from people who met and knew Joyce, Lady Heathcoat Amory. The team at Knightshayes are on a hunt to find anyone who might have known Joyce, visited her, met her, played golf with her or have any memories they’d like to share. The project will run alongside a larger project next year to celebrate Joyce and share stories about her life. As a generous and well known community figure in Tiverton, the team often hear of memories of local visitors and residents alike, but now would love to create...
Hundreds of pyjama-clad runners, joggers and walkers from across Devon turned up at glorious Knightshayes near Tiverton on Sunday 17th September to take part in the Hospiscare Breakfast Run. The novelty event which featured a 5 or 10k route attracted runners from all age groups and abilities, with 482 people joining in to raise much-needed funds for local charity Hospiscare.
The participants enjoyed an off road course with some challenging inclines and were rewarded for their efforts at the end with a delicious breakfast from the Stables Kitchen.
Visitors to Knightshayes, Tiverton, on Saturday 9 September will be treated to free admission and the chance to experience behind-the-scenes tours and talks as part of the Heritage Open Day scheme. The National Trust team have seen the day as a great opportunity to champion the work their organisation does as a charity to help conserve special places like Knightshayes, and talk to people about how their support can help make a difference to their local National Trust property. There will be tours of both the house and the garden throughout the day that visitors can sign up to, and that...
