Knightshayes (National Trust), Dulverton, Exmoor National Park
[Main photo: Knightshayes 19th century Victorian Gothic Revival country house]
National Trust property on the outskirts of Tiverton just south of Exmoor National Park
Knightshayes is a National Trust property on the outskirts of Tiverton just south of Exmoor National Park. It’s known for its Victorian Gothic Revival architecture and ‘one of the great 20th-century gardens’.
Country house and garden sit within parkland.
The property as a whole is extensive so we’d recommend at least half a day fully to explore it.
Location of Knightshayes
Knightshayes is located in Mid Devon near Tiverton where the A361 meets the A396. The M5 is to the east.
We’ve positioned Knightshayes on Google maps. Zoom in on the ‘satellite’ setting to see its location.
Directions to, and parking at, Knightshayes
Follow the M5 to the Tiverton junction. Drive the A361 to Tiverton and then take the A396 north in the direction of Exmoor National Park. Knightshayes is just off the A396 near Tiverton.
If you’re coming from Exmoor National Park, take the A396 down to Tiverton.
If you’re driving from North Devon, follow the A361 to Tiverton.
Knightshayes
‘Knightshayes was the family home of the Heathcoat Amory family for 125 years from 1872 to 1997. From a farming family in Derbyshire they grew, through their industry, to become the owners of the largest lace-making factory in the world.’ (Source: National Trust Knightshayes guidebook)
We'd recommend exploring nearby Tiverton to see the buildings associated with this lace-making factory.
The architect of Knightshayes was William Burges (Cardiff Castle and Castel Coch) and then J.D.Crace. J.D.Crace’s son J.G.Crace was the architect of the National Trust’s Tyntesfield which is also in Somerset east of the M5.
William Burges’ Victorian Gothic Revival exterior was built pretty much as designed but his lavish interiors were rejected by the Heathcoat Amory family. J.D.Crace and other architects completed the house we see today.
[If William Burges’ architecture is of interest, head up to Cardiff Castle and Castel Coch. Remarkable places. If you’re exploring northern England, pop into the church at Studley Royal Park including the Ruins of Fountains Abbey UNESCO World Heritage Site.]
Gardens
The National Trust describes it as ‘one of the great 20th-century gardens’.
Walk the terraces in front of the house. Visit Paved Garden, Pool Garden (on the east side of the house) and South Garden before experiencing the parkland.
Parkland
The country house and gardens sit within extensive 19th century parkland. A network of paths take you to the kitchen garden, Douglas Fir Wak, arboretum and multiple woods.
Shop and tea room/cafe
You’ll find a shop and tea room/cafe and public toilets close to the car park/entrance to the National Trust property.
Historical and cultural attractions near near Knightshayes
Cothay Manor. 'Said to be the finest example of a small medieval manor in England, Cothay dates back to the 14th century.' (Source: Cothay Manor Historic House & Gardens website. Check website for garden visiting times)
Dunster Castle (National Trust). One of Exmoor's most popular visitor attractions, Dunster Castle dominates the village. Essential visiting.
Cleeve Abbey (English Heritage). Cistercian abbey by the east border of Exmoor. English Heritage state that Cleeve Abbey includes 'the most impressively complete and unaltered set of monastic cloister buildings in England'.
Hestercombe House & Gardens. 'Famous for [its] unique collection of gardens which span three centuries of garden history and design, [the] Formal Garden is hailed as one of the finest examples of the world-renowned partnership between garden designer Gertrude Jekyll and architect Sir Edwin Lutyens.' (Source: Hestercombe House & Gardens website. Check website for garden visiting times)
Coleridge Cottage (National Trust). The Romantic poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge lived in this cottage for three years at the end of the eighteenth century.
Tyntesfield. Another extraordinary National Trust property just off the M5 by Bristol. Pop in on your way to/return from Exmoor.
Gardens near Knightshayes
Cothay Manor. 'Said to be the finest example of a small medieval manor in England, Cothay dates back to the 14th century.' (Source: Cothay Manor Historic House & Gardens website. Check website for garden visiting times)
Hestercombe House & Gardens. 'Famous for [its] unique collection of gardens which span three centuries of garden history and design, [the] Formal Garden is hailed as one of the finest examples of the world-renowned partnership between garden designer Gertrude Jekyll and architect Sir Edwin Lutyens.' (Source: Hestercombe House & Gardens website. Check website for garden visiting times)
Other attractions near Knightshayes
Tarr Steps. Cross the River Barle on the longest clapper bridge in Britain.
Wimbleball Lake Country Park. Enjoy a day out at this lakeside country park. Great for walking, cycling and watersports.
Villages and towns near Knightshayes
Tiverton. Tiverton is close to Knightshayes.
Dulverton. Dulverton is north of Knightshayes off the A396 on the southern border of the national park. It's an Exmoor gateway town with a visitor and heritage centre that provides a great introduction to the landscape, history and culture of this area.
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