Designed by William Burges and begun in 1869, Knightshayes is a rare survival of his work. The rich interiors combine medieval romanticism with lavish Victorian decoration, and the smoking and billiard rooms, elegant boudoir and drawing room all give an atmospheric insight into grand country house life. The celebrated garden features a water lily pool and topiary, fine specimen trees, rare shrubs and delightful seasonal colours. Attractive woodland walks lead through the grounds
Knightshayes Court is known principally for its beautiful gardens, but the house is fascinating in its own right. John Heathcoat-Amory, a Member of Parliament for Tiverton, commissioned the architect William Burges to design the striking gothic house, and work began in 1859.
However the building work progressed so slowly that Burges was sacked in 1874 and J D Crace was employed to finish the decoration. The painted ceilings and wall stencilling added by Grace were mostly hidden by later decorations but are now being uncovered and restored.
Knightshayes Court is a rare survivor of the work of Burges and his features are still evident including wood panelling, a vast painted bookcase in the stairwell, comical corbel figures and architectural drawings. Many of the rooms are a combination of the work of Burges and Crace making them of particular interest.
Knightshayes Court remained in the Heathcoat-Amory family until 1972 when the 3rd Baronet, Sir John Heathcoat-Amory died, leaving the property to the National Trust. The house still contains much of the family furniture and china: the golf Room reflects the golfing career of Lady Heathcoat-Amory who as Miss Joyce Wethered was four-times winner of the Ladies Open in the 1920s. The house also has a collection of splendid family portraits and Old Masters. The celebrated garden features a water lily pool and topiary, specimen trees, rare shrubs and delightful seasonal colours.
Knighthayes Court
Knighthayes Court and Killeryon
House. Home of the Heathcoat-Amory family. This striking Victorian Gothic
mansion is just N of Tiverton. A rare survival of the work of William
Burges, flamboyant 19th Century architect, this mansion has a rich mixture
of medieval romanticism and lavish decoration. Includes a billiard room
and smoking room. Of equal beauty are the 20h gardens which are full
of colour throughout the year. There is also a lovely park and woodland walk, formal terraces, unusual topiary and the "Garden in the Wood"
Topiary at Knighthayes Court
Designed by William Burges and begun in 1869, Knightshayes is a rare survival of his work. The rich interiors combine medieval romanticism with lavish Victorian decoration, and the smoking and billiard rooms, elegant boudoir and drawing room all give an atmospheric insight into grand country house life. The celebrated garden features a water lily pool and topiary, fine specimen trees, rare shrubs and delightful seasonal colours. Attractive woodland walks lead through the grounds
Knightshayes
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