Killerton Estate, Devon - National Trust visit

 Another holiday, another National Trust property to write about! 

The Killerton Estate is near to Exeter in Devon, a 6500 acre expanse of land which is also the site of an extinct volcano, an Iron Age hill fort, a bears house and best of all a cafe and toilets. 

From parking the car (make sure you pay and display, where we parked our car we managed to completely miss the machines). You walk through passed a couple of barns with toilets in and through to pay or, like me, use your annual pass. 

You'll be at the stables where there is a small cafe, a bookshop selling second hand books and a shop selling local produce and on site wares plus the usual National Trust fare. 

It is a beautiful mixture of formal gardens, fancy house and wild forest areas. When we arrived we noticed signs for an archaeological dig going on by the University of Exeter. We followed the trail down the south side of the estate towards Colombjohn which was the site of a grand house owned by the Acland Family. According to reports from the time in 1645 or so, the Parliamentarian forces sacked the house and took everything inside making an inventory as they went. So the mixture of students and lecturers team we met knew they were looking for a large house and possibly evidence of a fight. They had found remains of some structural walls, evidence of what looked to me like a cobblestone floor (like a courtyard or pathway floor) drainage stones (the long semicircle ones which allow water to move along them), slate roof tiles and musket balls. Pottery, flints, pipes and a ring with an extension which is believed to have dual purposes. A seal for waxing letters closed and an inch long dabber used for patting in pipe weed into a pipe. 

The team were so excited, passionate and lovely to talk to. Everyone was happy to talk to us, answer all of our questions and show us what they had found. It was such a lovely way to spend an hour. 

From the archaeological site we headed into the northern side and into the woods. It was beautiful and peaceful but steep to climb. Being covered in trees the pathway through was slippy and muddy as it hadn't had a chance to dry up with the warmer weather. The views up there were superb though. You could see for miles across the country side.

 

From here we made our way towards the house across the ridge and we still didn't make it all over the top of the hill fort, didn't see all of the woods and as such we would love to return. 

We went to the second cafe at this location which was at the back of the house itself. This one promises more substantial food. They sell pastries like sausage rolls, pasties, jacket potatoes, potato wedges, hot and cold drinks, cakes and crisps etc. Easily enough for a large snack or lunch. There are toilets here and water stations where you can refill water bottles, well each of the toilets around the site have these too. 

After a quick bite we headed out the back to see he slightly more formal garden. They had many different plants and some beautifully fragrant roses. This area also had closely cut grass and some deck chairs where a picnic would have been possible. 

We took a quick look around the house where there were knowledgeable volunteers in each room. Lots of paintings of the Acland family and upstairs they currently have a collection of clothing and a children's toys through the ages. 

Is this a great place for kids? Yes, as long as they like nature walks. There is a little play area but blink and you will miss it. 

Is it good for dogs? Yes but only to a point. The map showed areas dogs are accepted but there are limits. These areas are well signposted. 

Did I enjoy my visit? Yes! Would I go back? Absolutely! There is a lot of space to roam the grounds but I would make sure to bring hiking poles to get up and down the hills to the north of the house. 

Check out my YouTube video for a really good view of the site https://youtu.be/DlpIaTfW2Fk

Until next time 

Xx