On select dates throughout December, visitors to Castle Drogo on Dartmoor will get to experience a 1920s Christmas party inspired by the festive traditions of the former owner, Julius Drewe and his family.
Open every Friday to Sunday up to 18 Dec and then daily from 19 to 23 December, this is the first Christmas at the castle since the National Trust reached the end of a 9-year conservation project to make it watertight earlier this year.
In the Entrance Hall, guests will be greeted by a 14ft tree, which reaches the top of the impressive Lutyens-designed ceilings. An...
During October half term in and around Devon, National Trust places are hosting an array of family friendly activities and terror-ific Halloween adventures. From spooky scarecrow trails to exploring autumnal colours and harvest displays to wood carving. There’s lots going on to keep your ghouls and monsters entertained.
What’s more, every time you experience a National Trust day out, you help care for these special places for future generations.
Across Devon, National Trust places are full of warmth as the trees slowly turn to red, orange and gold, enjoy crisp walks with family and friends and steaming cups of hot chocolate. There’s lots on offer this season, from garden tours and fashion exhibitions to exploring history and showcasing nature.
What’s more, every time you experience a National Trust day out, you help care for these special places for future generations
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...
Three historically important travelling trunks, which are believed to date from before 1796, have recently been away for conservation repair and have returned ready for display to help tell the story of this unique sixteen-sided house.
The trunks are an important part of A La Ronde’s history. They are thought to have gone on the Grand Tour of Europe with Jane and Mary Parminter in the 1780s. It was following this Tour that the cousins returned and began creating their home in Exmouth by building A la Ronde around 1796, influenced by what they had seen.
Across Devon, National Trust gardens are filling with colourful spring blooms, and houses are looking tip-top after their intensive winter cleans. There’s loads going on this season with guided tours, exhibitions, and Easter egg hunts. What’s more, every time you experience a National Trust day out, you help care for these special places for future generations.
Buckland Abbey
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/buckland-abbey
History of the Abbey through its art
Every Mon, until 18 Apr. 2-3.30pm.
Join a guided tour and discover the history of Buckland...
Experience the magic of Christmas with a special illuminated trail perfect for friends and family at Killerton, near Exeter.
What better way to walk off festive feasts than to enjoy an enchanting walk in the fresh air with loved ones?
Christmas at Killerton, which opened last month, creates timeless memories as visitors explore a beautiful world of lights and colour at the stunning National Trust property.
Matthew Findlay, Head of UK Trails for Raymond Gubbay, said: “As the festive holiday approaches, Christmas at Killerton is the perfect place to spend an...
The countdown to Christmas has begun and the National Trust’s Killerton in Exeter welcomed a brand-new glittering illuminated trail on Friday evening.
Visitors marvelled at more than a million twinkling lights, colourful trees and amazing illuminated installations, which were choreographed to a soundtrack of much-loved seasonal music to transform Killerton’s majestic gardens into a winter wonderland.
Festive fun facts about the Killerton trail 2021:
50 metres of pea lights feature in the Tunnel of Light
The first Roman fort on National Trust land in Devon has been confirmed at a site on the Killerton estate. A fortnight’s dig at Budlake Farm, on the estate, has proven a long-held theory that a First Century Roman fort was sited there.
The Devon fort joins a list of over 100 Roman forts on National Trust land around the UK.
Led by Trust archaeologist Martin Papworth, a team of archaeology volunteers and staff found evidence of a triple-ditched fort enclosure as well as a coin, samian pottery and ironwork thought to be from between 50-70 AD.
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...
