Killerton is an
18th-century house, which, with its hillside
garden and estate, has been owned by the
National Trust since 1944 and is open to the
public.
The estate covers some 2590 hectares (6400
acres). Included in the Estate is a steep
wooded hillside with the remains of an Iron Age
Hill fort on top of it.
The following is edited with acknowledgement to
'Britain Express' and editor David Ross :
"The manor of
Columb John in the parish of Broadclyst was
purchased by Sir John Acland (d.1620), MP and
High Sheriff of Devon. The adjoining estate
of Killerton was purchased a short time
thereafter by his nephew Sir Arthur Acland
(d.1610) of Acland in the parish of Landkey
as jointure for his wife Eleanor Mallet.
"The present Georgian Killerton House was
built for Sir Thomas Acland, 7th baronet, in
1778.
"The 18 acre hillside garden contained within
4000 acres of woods was originally created at
the time the house was built by Scotsman John
Veitch.
"Veitch was an interesting character; the
story goes that he walked from Edinburgh to
London to look for work.
"He found employment as a nurseryman, and Sir
Thomas Acland asked him to create a garden at
Killerton, improving on the natural
landscape.
"Veitch and his son James created a network
of woodland paths and planted varieties of
foreign trees and shrubs, including
Wellingtonia.
"Because of its mild climate Killerton was
used as something of a trial ground for
plants brought back from all corners of the
globe, and many plants which are now found
throughout the British Isles were first
planted at Killerton.
"Later the influential Victorian garden
writer William Robinson had a hand in the
design of the Killerton gardens. Killerton is
famous for trees and shrubs. There are a
series of terraced beds, with dwarf shrubs
and copious rhododendrons. Circular walks
through the woods provide for an enjoyable
outing."
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From 'English
Heritage' :
"Following the
abandonment of James Wyatt's scheme for a
house on a new site in 1779, Johnson's house
was retained, and enlarged in 1830.
"Further additions including a billiard room
to the north-east of the original block were
made in 1900 and a new entrance hall was
designed by Randall Wells in 1924 (pictured
right).
"Johnson's house comprises two storeys under
a hipped slate roof, the walls being stuccoed
with stone dressings.
"The south facade, originally the entrance
front, retains the original recessed front
door flanked by early 19th century ships'
cannon from a family yacht (pictured below).
"The west front was extended north in the
early 19th century, when the balcony and
verandah supported on open-work iron columns
was added (also pictured below)."
For more details
of the house and family history please the
Introduction Page
here
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Nineteenth century
ship's cannon at the entrance to Killerton
House (above and right).
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From
'Gardenvisit.com':
"(Killerton) is an eighteenth century house
with a hillside garden. There are fine lawns
and views of Dartmoor.
"It is a Victorian garden with three features
of historic interest:
(1) an arboretum
made by the famous Exeter nurseryman, John
Veitch,
(2) a large rock garden in an old quarry,
(3) a parterre designed by William Robinson,
with Coade stone urns.
"Since Robinson is
known to history as the advocate of Wild
gardens, the parterre at Killerton, like the
parterre at Robinson's own house, is a feature
of some curiosity."
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