Killerton National Trust House and Gardens
Visiting National Trust properties is a great way to spend a day whatever your age. Many of the larger country estate style properties have lots of space for walking or running (depending on your age), play areas and seasonal trails laid on for younger visitors.
If the history of properties is more your thing, then that is often also well covered. A prime example of this is Killerton House in East Devon. We’ve been fans of Killerton for many years and have enjoyed some lovely days out there.
This year, as part of the National Trust’s Women and Power programme for 2018, Killerton is celebrating 100 years of women getting the vote. Telling the stories of two women from the house and their roles at the heart of the fight for votes for women.
We’ve not had chance to go and visit this display yet, but luckily for me I am happy to share this guest blog. Written by Helen from Beer, here is her review and photographs.
Devon Days Out Killerton National Trust
Killerton in East Devon is one of the largest estates the National Trust look after at 6,400 acres. Your visit also includes entry to an Old Post Office, Clyston Mill and Marker’s, a medieval hall house.
The 18th century manor house was the home of the Acland family and was given to the NT in 1944 due to Sir Richard Acland’s political beliefs.
National Trust Women and Power programme
Throughout 2018 the NT has been celebrating 100 years of women getting the vote. Killerton is telling the story of two women from the house and their roles in the fight. The impressive exhibition of ‘Women in Power’ follows the sisters, Eleanor and Gertrude Acland, who had opposing views about whether women should get the vote.
This is supported by an exhibition of artwork from the National Portrait Gallery as well as a display of period clothing.
Eleanor supported the suffrage campaign because of her two main views: –
1. Those who obey the laws should help to choose those who make the laws, and
2. Laws which affect women were being passed without consulting them.
Gertrude supported the anti-suffrage league because: –
1. Men and women naturally live in different worlds, so their share in public affairs should be different, and
2. At that time there were 1,300,000 more women than men. If everyone voted, men would be outnumbered.
There is a particularly interesting display in the dining room as there must have been some difficult discussions around that table with the many guests that were entertained!
Something for All Ages
There’s lots to see for children in the house, including a dressing up room and a game where they have to find objects and mice in a treasure hunt. Outside let off steam in the gardens, explore the Bear Hut and Ice House and play on the rope swings you can find along the trails in the woods all around the Estate.
After the house we went for a long walk in Ashclyst Forest which is part of the Esate (the bluebells weren’t out when I visited but they are meant to be stunning) and we obviously stopped for coffee and cake in the Stables Café. I consider myself to be a coffee expert and it was excellent.
Whether it’s a Flip Flops or Wellies day in Devon there’s lots to do at Killerton. Another thing in its favour, it’s also dog friendly!
What’s On At Killerton
For more details about Killerton House click here.
The current exhibitions will be on view until the end of October 2018.
There is a Heritage Open Day Sat 8th Sept which allows free entry to Killerton House, Marker’s Cottage and Budlake Post Office (please double check this as web details are not clear).
Look out for Autumn Half Term activities for children and the wonderful Christmas Display. Every year the house is closed during November and a huge team of volunteers transform the house into a themed disply for Christmas (open until the New Year). Last year it was the Wind in the Willows and we made little video about our day out which you can watch.
More days out
If you have enjoy reading this for other days out take a look at my write up of Stourhead National Trust or Belmont House in Lyme Regis which will be open as part of the Heritage Open Days scheme on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th September 2018.
National Trust Membership Makes a Great Gift
Helen told me “For the last couple of years my Mum has been saying she never knows what to get my husband and I for Christmas. She’s been a member of the National Trust for two years and asked if Barry and I would like joint membership as a present. We jumped at her offer, we loved our day at Killerton and are looking forward to more days out with the National Trust.”
Thank you to Helen Follet for supply this lovely write up of her day. Helen leads the Beer Coastal Community Team which exists to support Beer to continue to prosper for people who live in the village, local businesses, day trippers and tourists. She is also the Chief Holidaymaker of The Folletts at Beer, three holiday cottages with stunning sea views out to Lyme Bay.
Hi! I am Clare and I live in glorious East Devon with my family.
I love finding new places to explore in the West Country as well as further afield.
I hope you enjoy reading and taking inspiration from my blog.
I love Killerton, such a great NT property. I visited recently and thought the exhibition celebrating the suffragette movement and 100 years of women getting the vote was great and really interesting. Will defo be back at Christmas!
Yes Killerton is great and always something different to see.