Killerton

Killerton is a National Trust estate covering 6,400 acres of parkland, woodland and farmland near Exeter. The 18th-century house sits within landscaped grounds that blend formal terraced gardens with naturalistic planting. Beyond the immediate house grounds, waymarked walks lead through the wider estate’s varied terrain. Killerton attracts visitors for its gardens as much as for its house, particularly during spring when rhododendrons and flowering trees reach their peak.

The house and costume collection

The house itself is a relatively modest Georgian building, remodelled in the 19th century. Interior rooms are furnished in late 18th and 19th-century style, though the house is best known for displaying part of the National Trust’s costume collection. These rotating displays show historical clothing from various periods, with themes changing annually. The displays occupy several rooms and provide context for how the garments would have been worn.

The collection includes formal wear, everyday clothing, undergarments and accessories from different social classes. Information panels explain textile techniques, social history and fashion changes. This focus on costume gives Killerton a different character from National Trust houses concentrating solely on period interiors and original furnishings.

Gardens and grounds

The gardens immediately around the house combine formal terraced areas with informal planting. The terraces descend the hillside below the house, with herbaceous borders and specimen trees. A separate area called the Bear’s Hut garden shelters tender plants. Higher up the slope, informal paths lead through areas planted with rhododendrons, magnolias and other flowering shrubs, many now grown to substantial size.

The estate’s parkland extends well beyond the formal gardens, with waymarked walks of varying length. A circular route to the hillfort takes around two hours and climbs to a viewpoint over the Exe Valley. Shorter walks remain closer to the house and gardens. The estate includes working farmland and woodland, with landscape varying from improved pasture to semi-natural habitats.

Practical information

Killerton opens year-round, though house opening varies by season. Gardens and parkland have longer hours than the house. Check the National Trust website or phone 01392 881345 for current times. National Trust members enter free; non-members pay an admission charge. A restaurant, shop and toilets operate near the house, with a second smaller cafe at the Stable yard.

Car parking is free. The estate is well signposted from the A30 and M5. Accessibility varies across the site: the house has some stairs and uneven floors, while garden paths include slopes and steps. Level routes exist through parts of the garden and parkland. Contact the property to discuss specific access requirements.