We left the Cheddar area after a couple of lovely days celebrating Linda’s birthday, her choice for the short journey home was a stop off at the National Trust property of Knightshayes. This was my second visit here, but my first in the house. I first visited with the boys, my mum and dad, my sister’s family and my brother’s family, we had come here during 2020, when our planned trip to the Lakes was cancelled after a huge water leak in the property. We were devastated at the time, but came here, met family and had a great day out. Linda had seen this place online and loved the look of the building and it was a good choice, as it is just as good inside as it is outside. We had a good wander around the gardens and grounds as well, which made for a great stop off on our way home, we do like our short breaks away!
Knighthayes gatehouseKnightshayes groundsThis is the entrance, at the rear of the house, still a lovely façade though. The whole house, inside and out was designed by architect William Burges. It was normal that he only designed exteriors, and this is the only one where he did the interior as well. However costs were running high and the flamboyant decoration was too much and the Heathcote-Amory family stopped him from working and brought in John Dibblee-Crace to finish it off.The great hall, with minstrels gallery aboveRare ceramics in an ornate cabinet. The family were collectors of artThe libraryNow this might be Rembrandt, but they don’t think it is. There are 3 of these around the world and they don’t think they are by the artist, but they might be. There is an Rembrandt at Buckland Abbey, which has been proved to be so, its currently on tour around National Trust houses (think its at Dunham Massey until July).Billiard RoomSo lovely daffodils outsideI then saw something, flitting around the flowers. A peacock butterfly on the last day in FebruaryThe front of Knightshayes is lovelyLooking down towards Tiverton from the houseGargoyles Sunshine at KnightshayesThe walled kitchen gardenCrocusInfact lots of crocus and dinky daffodils. A lovely visit and so good to get in this house at last
treksandtors 