From a 150-year-old crinoline to a 60s mini, garments have shaped not only their owners but also the entire face of fashion. Killerton’s latest costume exhibition ‘The F-Word: the changing language of fashion’ opens on Saturday 14 February and explores how fashion has responded to the latest innovations and made its mark across the centuries. Zips, buttons, elastic – items now taken for granted were revolutionary in their day. They changed what could be worn and also helped people dress faster and with ease. And the language of fashion is often bound to the technology and materials used to...
The woodland at Knightshayes, near Tiverton, is undergoing a programme of regeneration, with the ranger team replanting over 12,000 trees over the next three years. Throughout the last century, the woodland has undergone numerous changes. Originally farmer’s fields before being planted with larch in the 1950’s, the estate’s popular Impey Walk fell victim to the tree disease Phytophthora ramorum in 2011 and, since then, has been a tangle of impenetrable bracken and bramble. The replanting, costing over £30,000, will consist of almost entirely native broadleaf species, the perfect habitat...
This week a herd of 10 Dartmoor ponies took up temporary residence on an extinct volcano at Killerton estate near Exeter.
Dolbury Hill is the tree-lined backdrop to Killerton House, known locally as ‘The Clump’, which is steeped in 3,000 years of history.
The hill’s rare geology and relics of an Iron Age Hill Fort have led it to be designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Scheduled Monument.
Ed Nicholson, Killerton’s Lead Ranger, explains why grazing Dartmoor ponies have had such a positive impact on the nature conservation of this sensitively...
A colourful giant knitted Christmas tree has graced the main staircase hall of Arlington Court in Devon.
Complete with Knitted baubles & presents it was originally knitted in 2005 to raise money for charity, the tree contains the work of over 1000 volunteers from across the world who helped to knit it. The tree has been on display in various other locations, but this is the first time it has been displayed in a historic house. The creator, Alison Murray was delighted to be asked to exhibit the tree at Arlington and encouraged her local knitting group to create a special garland...
Killerton will continue its tradition of festive fun in a bigger way than ever when the estate throws open its doors to the public from Saturday 22 November until Sunday 4 January, 11am-4pm. Visitors will be greeted by the beautifully transformed house themed on the classic Nutcracker story. The outdoors will also have a festive feel with family activities in the historic, twinkling parkland. The National Trust property, just outside of Exeter, invites visitors on a fairy tale journey to discover the story of The Nutcracker. Each room in the historic house will be adorned with elaborate,...
The National Trust Exeter and District Centre are holding their annual Christmas Concert on Tuesday 9 December at Exeter Cathedral.
The centre plays a vital role promoting the work of the charity in the local area and raises money through all kinds of events for conservation and development projects. However, the Christmas concert, which dates back to the 1970s, is the principal event in the Centre’s calendar and has raised over £15,000 in the past 10 years.
Since 2001 the concert has been performed by the pupils of Exeter School and is now also one of the highlights of...
The National Trust Exeter and District Centre are holding their annual Christmas Concert on Tuesday 9 December at Exeter Cathedral.
The centre plays a vital role promoting the work of the charity in the local area and raises money through all kinds of events for conservation and development projects. However, the Christmas concert, which dates back to the 1970s, is the principal event in the Centre’s calendar and has raised over £15,000 in the past 10 years.
Since 2001 the concert has been performed by the pupils of Exeter School and is now also one of the highlights of...
It might seem early for some, but Christmas is never far from the minds of the staff and volunteers at Knightshayes, the National Trust property on the out skirts of Tiverton; and this year the team are pondering a very unusual question – what to do about the jolly man himself? They are looking for volunteers to support extended opening hours over the winter and, in particular, help with events in the run-up to Christmas. The property will be decorated for Christmas from 3 December with ‘Meet Father Christmas’ events running on the 12, 13, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 December. There will also be...
Spook yourself silly this Hallowe’en at Knightshayes, on the outskirts of Tiverton, as the National Trust property goes all out with it’s All Hallows Eve celebrations and late night opening on Friday 31 October.
The late night opening is a first for the team at Knightshayes, as they look at new ways to help people explore the property and see it in a different light. There will be a spooky trail around the house and activities to help keep the kids occupied.
The gothic mansion lends itself well to the theme, as House Manager Sara Currant explained: “When I first moved to...
