Knightshayes Court

Knightshayes Court is known principally for its beautiful gardens but the house is facinating in its own right.

It was built for John Heathcoat-Amory a Member of Parliament for Tiverton. He 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 Crace were mostly hidden by later decorations but are now being uncovered and restored.

Knightshayes Court is a rare survival to 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.

Today 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.

Knightshayes Court has one of the finest gardens in Devon. The gardens have something of interest each season and consist mainly of woodland and shrubs. There is a wonderful display of spring bulbs, summer flowering shrubs, delightful animal topiary and a pool garden.