Devon Holiday Guide

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Killerton House & Estate

Killerton is a beautiful agricultural estate covering over 6000 acres, with walks through park, woodland and Devon countryside. At Killerton’s heart is an elegant 18th century country house with a fascinating Victorian laundry. The house is surrounded by the famous hillside garden, which includes rare shrubs and trees, beautiful herbaceous borders, an Ice House and a rustic summerhouse known as The Bear’s Hut.

The estate was the ancestral home of the Acland family who had lived in Devon since the 12th century and had acquired Killerton at the time of the Civil War. Later embellishments to the house almost conceal the central block which was built for Sir Thomas Dyke Acland in 1778-9 by the Essex architect John Johnson. This was originally intended to be replaced by an extravagant mansion by James Wyatt.

The interior of Killerton House was redesigned in the 1890s and again in 1924 after a fire. Today, the house belongs to The National Trust and is furnished as a family home, depicting the way of life in a country house between the first and second World Wars. The dining room, drawing room and the upstairs are now used to display the Paulise de Bush collection of 18th to 20th century costumes.

Facilities

Shopping
Quality plants grown on the property in peat-free compost

Dogs
On leads and only in park

Parking
Free parking - 280yds

Education
Suitable for school groups. Education room/centre. Live interpretation. Award-winning Victorian programme. Orienteering courses. Learning Officer

Families & Children
Baby-changing and feeding facilities. Pushchairs and baby back-carriers admitted. Hip-carrying infant seats available for loan. Children´s play area. Children´s quiz/trail. Family activities and discovery centre open in school holidays.

Important Note: Garden open every day of the year including Christmas Day.