From global climate strikes led by Greta Thunberg to forest fires, environmental issues have never been so topical. Although many of us know we need to make sustainable changes, it can be difficult to grasp what the effects of climate change will look like, if we don’t take action.
But now, a new installation at Killerton in Broadclyst, Devon is offering visitors the chance to travel into the future to 2050 and experience the impact of climate change for themselves.
The first-of-its-kind immersive experience, created through CGI and augmented reality technology, will...
On Sunday 28 April, the Killerton rangers need your help to count and learn about the creatures that live in Ashclyst Forest.
Come along to Caddihoe Scout Camp and help the team with some hands on bug hunting, flower counting and butterfly spotting at the BioBlitz day. Everything you help us find will be fed into a database to help understand more about which animals are living in the woods.
The day kicks off bright and early with a dawn chorus walk where you can enjoy the early morning bird song. Expert led walks and wildlife survey fun will then continue throughout the...
Castle Drogo is calling for volunteers at an exciting time in the castle’s history as the project to make it watertight starts to reach its conclusion.
More volunteers than ever are needed to share Castle Drogo’s stories and become part of the team, whether for a couple of hours to spare or to volunteer more regularly.
To find more volunteers, Castle Drogo is holding two volunteering open days on Wednesday 10 April and Saturday 13 April, from 12-3pm in the community space, for anyone who would like to find out more about volunteering there. Alternatively, information on...
Following six years of major restoration work, the National Trust’s ambitious project to save Castle Drogo, the last castle built in England, is nearing completion. Building work will still be visible, with some external work to be carried out during 2019, however, for the first time in its life the building will be watertight.
Staff now have a big task ahead of them as they begin the huge job of moving all the contents, many of which have been in storage, back in. It’s a job which is expected to take all year. There’s plenty to do - from painting and decorating, to rediscovering...
On Wednesday 20 February, National Trust staff and volunteers came together with the ‘Great Trees in the Clyst Valley’ project to plant a new orchard on the Killerton estate. The orchard is the ninth that is looked after by the Killerton ranger team, with 48 people rallying together on the day to get stuck in and get dirt under their nails.
38 orchard trees of dessert and cooking apples were planted in total, including varieties such as Cornish Aromatic, Blenheim Orange and Sunset. The new crop of apples will one day help to support the harvest that feeds into the juice produced by...
If running is a New Year’s resolution this year, bring your family and friends and join us for the National Trust’s Night Run on Saturday 26 January at East Soar Farm, near Salcombe.
The ancient farmland and woodlands are shrouded in mystery so experiencing them at night will add a whole new dimension to your running experience.
There are two options to suit all runners. The Explorer route is 2 km and starts at 4.30pm and the Adventurer route is 9 km and starts at 5.30pm. Registration for both routes starts at 4pm.
Simon Arnold, a volunteer for the National Trust, has started a challenge to play nearly every working piano or organ at a National Trust property in the south west, all to raise money to help keep music alive in these historic places. Simon’s challenge, ‘Pachelbel’s Progress’ will see him head off to play at a total of 15 places over 11 days in September, not a small task! The repertoire will be chosen to reflect the spirit of each place, with pieces including Greensleeves, Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven, The Charleston, Clair de Lune by Debussy and The Entertainer. Money raised from the...
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...
Rarely seen portraits of influential Devon women, including Nancy Astor, Eleanor Acland and Gertrude Acland, are on show at Killerton. The portraits are visiting as part of a touring exhibition, ‘Faces of Change: Votes for Women’, a partnership between the National Trust and the National Portrait Gallery. Their images will be on display alongside rarely displayed portraits of Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters, as part of an exhibition to mark the centenary of the People’s Representation Act which gave some women the right to vote. There will be an opportunity for visitors to see a rare...
The National Trust has developed a series of British Sign Language videos (BSL) to give the Deaf community better access to the history of Killerton House and the Acland family that once lived there. The videos take visitors on a journey around the home, explaining key Acland figures and the history behind each room. The BSL videos have been created and presented by a Deaf volunteer from Heritage Ability. Heritage Ability is a scheme helping over 20 heritage places across the South West to become more accessible to disabled people and Deaf people. It is one of many services offered by user...
