National Trust Killerton

National Trust Killerton This is the official National Trust page for Killerton. Lots of events and activities happen all year round. It helps us to learn and grow.
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There’s plenty of calm space in the glorious garden, beautiful year-round with rhododendrons, magnolias, champion trees and formal lawns. You can explore winding paths, climb an extinct volcano, discover an Iron Age hill fort and take in distant views towards Dartmoor. More family home than grand mansion, the relaxed house also holds the National Trust’s largest costume collection, with selected i

tems displayed in our exhibitions. Follow us to hear more.

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Heritage Open Days are here! 🩷We're opening up our doors free of charge for all visitors to explore Killerton:🌸 Killerto...
12/09/2026

Heritage Open Days are here! 🩷

We're opening up our doors free of charge for all visitors to explore Killerton:

🌸 Killerton House and Garden
12-13 September
10am-5pm

⛪ Columbjohn Chapel
12-20 September
1pm-3pm

Head to Visitor Reception at Killerton on the day for free entry.

📍Check out our new collectors stamps for your passport. Visitors can now collect a passport stamp for Killerton, Columbjohn Chapel and the Fashion Collection.

📷 National Trust / Tamsin Hemming / Fi Hailstone / CHW

11/09/2026

It’s the final episode of “Life in the Laundry”, and Senior Collections & House Officer Emma explains those last few Friday jobs 🧺

We hope you’ve enjoyed this glimpse into what a working week in the laundry was like - visit in person to experience the full display and hear the stories of those who worked here 🤩

You can also visit Killerton for free from today until Sunday 13 September as part of Heritage Open Days 🌿

Special mentions go to Darcy Willett, Senior Visitor Experience Officer, and Emma Skeldon (star of this video!) who have curated such a fascinating new display, assisted by research from Find My Past 🔎

📸 NT / D Edwards

10/09/2026

It’s Episode 4 of “Life in the Laundry” - we’re almost at the end of the week! But first, there’s a whole lot of ironing to do, and Collections & House Manager Katarina is here to tell us more 👗

Come back tomorrow to find out what happens on Fridays 🧺

Thanks to Find My Past for assisting with this research, and visit Killerton for free as part of Heritage Open Days on 11, 12 and 13 September.

📸 NT / D Edwards

09/09/2026

It’s Episode 3 of “Life in the Laundry” - rain or shine, the now-washed laundry needs drying! Volunteer Steve is here to explain more… imagine carrying all your wet washing up those steps 😬

Come back tomorrow to find out what happens on Thursdays 🧺

Thanks to Find My Past for assisting with this research, and visit Killerton for free as part of Heritage Open Days on 11, 12 and 13 September.

📸 NT / D Edwards

08/09/2026

It’s Episode 2 of “Life in the Laundry” - forget your fancy machines, Collections Assistant Elliot explains how washing was all done by hand ✋🏻🧺

Come back tomorrow to find out what happens on Wednesdays…

Thanks to Find My Past for assisting with this research, and you can visit Killerton for free as part of Heritage Open Days on 11, 12 and 13 September.

📸 NT / D Edwards

07/09/2026

In a slight break from our usual posts, every day this week we’ll be sharing a glimpse into life in Killerton’s Laundry 🧺

Together with research from Find My Past, we’ve uncovered new stories and given the Laundry a refresh 🤩

You can see the reimagined space now, and you can also visit Killerton for free as part of Heritage Open Days on 11, 12 and 13 September.

In Episode 1, Collections Assistant Michelle tells us all about the first job of the week - sorting piles and piles on laundry! Come back tomorrow to see what happens on Tuesdays…

📸 NT / D Edwards

📚Happy National Reading Day!We all know how many great books can be found in Killerton’s second-hand bookshop, but have ...
06/09/2026

📚Happy National Reading Day!

We all know how many great books can be found in Killerton’s second-hand bookshop, but have you ever wondered what happens when we get donated something valuable?

Our wonderful bookshop volunteers often set aside special-looking donations for further investigation and, back in June, we were donated an 1868 copy of ‘The Story Without An End’ by Friedrich Wilhelm Carové, with some gorgeous illustrations by Eleanor Vere Boyle (EVB), who was a well-known illustrator at the time.

This book ended up fetching a whopping £380 at auction, an incredible amount which will help us to keep caring for Killerton.

In a wonderful turn of events, the book was purchased by the family of EVB, as they are trying to bring more recognition to her work, which consisted mostly of watercolour illustrations in children’s books. If you would like to see more of EVB’s illustrations you can visit https://qbcentre.org.uk/stories/eleanor-vere-boyle

A fascinating book with an even more interesting story – proof that reading and books can bring immeasurable joy for generations. ❤️

Exciting changes are coming to Hill Fort play area! 😁We've got big plans to keep little ones entertained with the additi...
05/09/2026

Exciting changes are coming to Hill Fort play area! 😁

We've got big plans to keep little ones entertained with the addition of a brand-new climbing wall, stepping logs and balancing beams on the way.

To allow the work to be completed safely, the Hill Fort play area will be temporarily closed from Monday 5-Friday 16 October. In the meantime, there's the play area with swings in the picnic area of the overflow car park.

We can't wait to see children playing, developing new skills and having fun! 😁

📷 National Trust Images / James Beck
✏️ Design & build Earth Wrights Play

04/09/2026

What a summer it's been-we've had a blast! 🌞

We've loved seeing thousands of families make memories with us throughout our Summer of Play. Time is running out, with Summer of Play at Killerton coming to an end this Sunday, 6 September.

Normal admission fees apply.

📷 National Trust Images/Steve Sayers/Steve Haywood/L.Shore/D.Willett

Step into 300 years of hidden stories at 'History off the Hanger', Killerton's fashion exhibition in the house this year...
03/09/2026

Step into 300 years of hidden stories at 'History off the Hanger', Killerton's fashion exhibition in the house this year. 👗

From a silk mourning gown worn by Queen Victoria to a bright yellow space-age mini dress bought in 1969, discover how clothing captures the moments that matter most.

As Killerton costume curator Shelley says: 'Clothing often captures the moments people hold closest - a wedding day, a reunion, a leap into a new life. These stories help us understand the emotional weight garments carry, and why caring for collections like Killerton's matters.'

You can also enjoy a glimpse behind the scenes to learn how the collection is cared for and stored.

Open daily with the house, 11am to 4pm (last entry 3.30pm) until Sunday 1 November. 👗

Normal admission fees apply.

📷 National Trust / Steve Haywood

Address

Killerton, Broadclyst
Exeter
EX53LE

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