Today I'd like to share with you Killerton, located in Devon England. As most of you know Grayden and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary visiting Scotland and England. I am sharing our trip in the order we visited. If you wish to view the past posts about this trip you are welcome. It's all under the Great Britain label above.
As you can see Killerton is under the care of the National Trust. Killerton was designed by John Johnson in the 18th century as a temporary home for Sir Thomas Dyke Acland, 7th Baronet and his family. They were to live here before a much larger home could be built. Over the years this dream of a larger residence was not realized. Killerton was added on to many times with the addition of electricity and heat in the 1890's. When we visited it was being repaired as the roof leaks!
The above photo is what the home looks like without the scaffolding.
The National Trust takes such good care of their properties and we are so amazed at the scale to which they do so! They acquired this property in 1944 after the family left the estate of 6,400 acres of land, 250 cottages, and 18 farms!
We won't be walking all of this, so don't panic. The grounds are lovely and full of beautiful gardens. Please make sure you have your walking shoes on!
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| National Trust Photo |
The above photo is what the home looks like without the scaffolding.
The National Trust takes such good care of their properties and we are so amazed at the scale to which they do so! They acquired this property in 1944 after the family left the estate of 6,400 acres of land, 250 cottages, and 18 farms!
We won't be walking all of this, so don't panic. The grounds are lovely and full of beautiful gardens. Please make sure you have your walking shoes on!
It's such a beautiful day to have a stroll and look at the gardens.
The garden has a wonderful panoramic view of the Devon countryside!
I could stay all day in this lovely garden, but I bet you'd like to get something to eat before we go into the house.
There is plenty of room for everyone, so find a seat and order what you would like. I recommend the chicken salad as it is delicious! No photo as I was hungry, but did manage to record it in my journal.
We are invited into the first floor of the home. The second story is closed to the tour because of the roof renovations.
This is the portrait of Sir Thomas Dyke Acland 10th Baronet.
As we wander from room to room we view the generations of collections of the Acland family.
It's always a good idea to look up when we tour these old estates.
Lovely plastered ceilings in the music room show beautiful details.
Killerton has beautiful woodwork throughout the first floor of the home. Beautiful works of art dot the walls along with collections that have been in the Acland family for generations.
The National Trust had this room displayed with some of the items from the second floor as it was closed during the roof repair.
Next we visited the Laundry room that was used up until 1940. They employed three full time girls to work there doing the wash and ironing. One 14 year old girl remembers being paid 18 shillings a week when she was employed here. Her family was glad to have the extra income.
There are always two sides to every estate such as Killerton. The Aclands were clearly members of the haves. Sir Richard Acland decided in 1944 to give up his privilege to support his political beliefs. The question we pondered as we toured the home was--"Would you give up your family home for your political beliefs?"
The garden has a wonderful panoramic view of the Devon countryside!
I could stay all day in this lovely garden, but I bet you'd like to get something to eat before we go into the house.
There is plenty of room for everyone, so find a seat and order what you would like. I recommend the chicken salad as it is delicious! No photo as I was hungry, but did manage to record it in my journal.
We are invited into the first floor of the home. The second story is closed to the tour because of the roof renovations.
This is the portrait of Sir Thomas Dyke Acland 10th Baronet.
As we wander from room to room we view the generations of collections of the Acland family.
It's always a good idea to look up when we tour these old estates.
Lovely plastered ceilings in the music room show beautiful details.
Killerton has beautiful woodwork throughout the first floor of the home. Beautiful works of art dot the walls along with collections that have been in the Acland family for generations.
The National Trust had this room displayed with some of the items from the second floor as it was closed during the roof repair.
Next we visited the Laundry room that was used up until 1940. They employed three full time girls to work there doing the wash and ironing. One 14 year old girl remembers being paid 18 shillings a week when she was employed here. Her family was glad to have the extra income.
There are always two sides to every estate such as Killerton. The Aclands were clearly members of the haves. Sir Richard Acland decided in 1944 to give up his privilege to support his political beliefs. The question we pondered as we toured the home was--"Would you give up your family home for your political beliefs?"
What were his political leanings?
ReplyDeleteHuge estate!
Vee, from what we understood he was a Liberal who left to found the Common Wealth Party. He was an advocate for public land ownership and therefore decided to give Killerton to the National Trust to ensure it would be preserved.
DeleteI feel sad that so many generations lived there and now they no longer do, however it is good the National Trust is keeping it repaired and open. That is my view, from California.
ReplyDeleteTerra, many large manors fell into ruin because of a lot of reasons. Many couldn't afford to keep them up or pay the death duties owed. Yes, the National Trust is to be commended for their work!
DeleteIf I haven't said it already I'd like to wish you a very happy 50th anniversary year! That is one great accomplishment in our world today. I'm happy for the National Trust and the preservation of so many great properties. It's our 45th anniversary in December of this year. I'd love to celebrate by going to Great Britain! Cheers!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, Ellen. We took this trip in the fall of 2017. We were in Great Britain for four weeks and went full on visiting as much as we could. It is taking me a long time to post about our trip as well as our life here at home! Congratulations to you and your sweetheart on the upcoming 45th!
DeleteMartha, I love all your Britain posts! You give so many interesting details, and your photos are gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jean. I think the reason it is taking me so long to post our travels is because I like to include the details. Thank you for noticing! ♥
DeleteAs we shiver in too cold a Spring, it is such a treat to visit Killerton's gardens in bloom. Do you know what I want? One of those lovely, squishily comfortable looking silver grey sofas!
ReplyDelete~~~Waving~~~From Across the Pond~~~Deb in Wales xoxo
Those sofas do look like they would be comfortable. Of course, they wouldn't let us try them out! Our temperatures have been up and down this Spring. Summer is knocking on our door. xoxo
DeleteRegardless of which political side one is on, it's refreshing to hear of someone who is so convicted of their views that they're willing to give up comfort and convenience to follow conscience. I'm glad the National Trust has that property now. Lovely post!
DeleteAmen, Judy! The National Trust is to be commended for all the properties it saved and continues to save. Thank you for stopping by today!
DeleteWow that’s an impressive place. Boy I’d love to hear that organ in the music room! I see from your answer to your first comment what his political beliefs were. That takes a lot courage but I’m glad he left it to the National Trust!
ReplyDeleteThe music room was my favorite in this home, Liz. The National Trust has saved so many estates from ruin. They are an unbelievable organization.
DeleteI am enjoying seeing the rest of England with you. If and when we return it will be to the Coniston area of the Lake District. We were there a year ago today, Mother's Day, and hardly made a dent in what there was to see and do!
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to have you along, Cathy. There is so much to see in Britain, I think it would take the rest of my days and still not see it all. Maybe I'm taking so long recording our visit here because I don't want it to ever end.
DeleteA lovely visit to Killerton, Martha Ellen. The laundry room caught my eye, as those old irons they used to use are so charming to me. The garden is green and in full bloom, and the yellow and pink flowers are so unusual and pretty. Those old books are something else. This looks like a nice area in England. I hope you are having a wonderful Mother's Day, Martha Ellen.
ReplyDelete~Sheri
Sheri, I couldn't get past the heavy irons being used by fourteen year old girls. What a hard life that must have been for them. Devon really is a lovely area of England that we enjoyed so much. I hope your Mother's Day was a good one, my friend.
DeleteI have thoroughly enjoyed your posts on your trip Martha Ellen, thank you so much. I lived about 50 miles from Killerton and whenever I go back I would love to visit this place as I have no recollection. My memory gets a bit fuzzy on the small villages, though I see it was not too far from Exeter, a place we visited often. You have sown the seed for more exploration for next time. Thank you :)
ReplyDeleteThank you kindly for your sweet comments, Denise. There is so much to see in your fair land. How can anyone ever see it all? We loved Devon in all of its beauty. I'm working on another post now about it. Have a lovely evening.
DeleteI shall look forward to your new post :) It is lovely to see my home county from another's perspective, and your photos show it all as I remember, all beautiful shots.
DeleteI appreciate the beautiful English countryside and wonderful the house has been preserved.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Betsy.
DeleteI am glad that you kept such detailed journal entries, Martha Ellen! Thank you for another wonderful tour!
ReplyDeleteYour question at the end of the post is one to ponder. What things are truly important to us . . . important enough that we'd give up our worldly possessions and our position? Our political philosophy? Our family? Our faith?
Cheryl, thank you for stopping by and visiting Killerton with me. There is much for us all to ponder daily, isn't it? Staying true to our true selves and beliefs challenge me.
DeleteThinking of you especially during this happy week. ♥
I always enjoy when you share these amazing photos of historic places in England. I like to think of how the upstairs and downstairs people lived during those days. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteTeresa, the upstairs and downstairs folks certainly lead different lives, didn't they? Thank you for sharing our journey with us. ♥
DeleteNow that is one massive estate! I love spots like this -- and that ceiling! Interesting -- this home looks very liveable -- not just a museum. It's quite lovely.
ReplyDeleteJeanie, Killerton was very livable. With all its beauty it had a quiet coziness about its interior. Thanks for visiting with us. ♥
DeleteI always am a little disappointed if I visit a historic site and construction is going on. But it's good they are keeping up the place and restoring it little by little. And it looks there was lovely grounds and a beautiful inside to enjoy! And be thankful for the upkeep!
ReplyDeleteWe were disappointed as well, but were happy to see the interior and the gardens, Dotsie. I can't complain as since the roof was leaking that really needed repairing.
DeleteThat is such an interesting and beautiful place, wish I could visit it one day☺
ReplyDeleteI hope you can visit Britain one day, Natalia. It is beyond lovely.
DeleteI think the National Trust do a wonderful job looking after the many properties they do.
ReplyDeleteI did enjoy my walk around the garden and then indoors too … fabulous photographs, thank you.
All the best Jan