About
Knightshayes Court is a magnificent High Victorian gothic house set in 270 acres of parkland and gardens above the valley of the River Exe near Tiverton in mid-Devon. Designed by the flamboyant architect William Burges and completed in 1874, the house was commissioned by the Heathcoat-Amory family — wealthy lace manufacturers who had made their fortune from the famous Heathcoat lace mill in Tiverton — and stands as one of the finest examples of Victorian gothic revival architecture in the West Country.
William Burges was among the most gifted and eccentric of the Victorian architects, famous for his richly decorated interiors at Cardiff Castle and Castell Coch. At Knightshayes, however, the relationship between patron and architect became strained, and much of Burges's extravagant decorative scheme was left unexecuted or replaced by the more restrained work of John Dibblee Crace. The result is a fascinating architectural palimpsest — a house of layers, where Burges's bold exterior gives way to interiors that blend his original vision with more conventional Victorian taste.
The National Trust acquired Knightshayes in 1972 and has since undertaken significant research and restoration work, revealing surviving examples of Burges's original decorative painting and helping visitors understand what the house was intended to look like. Recent conservation projects have transformed the visitor experience, bringing new clarity to the architectural story of the house.
The gardens at Knightshayes are considered among the finest in the South West and are the principal reason many visitors come. Developed primarily by Sir John and Lady Amory in the mid-20th century, they feature a walled garden of exceptional quality, a pool garden, a woodland garden with outstanding collections of rhododendrons and rare trees, and a topiary garden of great character. The gardens are at their most spectacular in spring, when magnolias and rhododendrons are in full bloom.
Knightshayes offers a rich and layered experience — architectural history, fine arts, horticulture, and the story of a Victorian industrial family — set against the backdrop of the beautiful Devon countryside.
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Plan Your Visit
⏱️ Recommended Visit Duration
📅 Best Times to Visit
💡 Visitor Tips
- Visit in late April or early May to see the woodland garden rhododendrons and magnolias at their absolute peak. This is one of the finest spring garden spectacles in Devon.
- Look carefully at the library ceiling and walls — the recently revealed William Burges painted decoration gives a tantalising glimpse of what his full interior vision might have looked like.
- The gardens are extensive and reward a long visit. Download the estate map from the website before arriving or pick one up at the car park to plan your route through the walled garden, pool garden, and woodland.
- Children enjoy the topiary garden with its unusual shapes and the woodland walks. Family activity trails are available on arrival and change seasonally.
- The pool garden with its topiary reflections is exceptionally photogenic. Visit early morning or late afternoon for the best light on the house's sandstone facade.
- Tiverton Parkway station is 5 miles away with good connections from London Paddington. Taxis are usually available at the station, or pre-book for reliability.
- Combine with a visit to the Grand Western Canal Country Park for a horse-drawn barge trip — a uniquely relaxing Devon experience just 2 miles from Knightshayes.
- National Trust members enter free. Devon has a strong NT portfolio, and a day combining Knightshayes with Killerton House (15 miles) offers exceptional value for members.
Highlights
Discover the unique exhibits and collections at this museum.
Collections
The house contains fine Victorian furniture, decorative arts, and family portraits assembled by the Heathcoat-Amory family over several generations. The garden plant collection is of national significance and includes outstanding rhododendron, magnolia, and rare tree specimens. The architectural fabric of the house, particularly the surviving Burges decorative work, is of exceptional importance.
William Burges and the Architecture of Knightshayes
Exploring the story of the house's creation by one of the Victorian era's most gifted architects, including the fractured relationship between Burges and his patrons and the conservation discoveries that are revealing his original vision.
The Heathcoat-Amory Family
The story of the family who built and lived in Knightshayes, from the revolutionary lace manufacturer John Heathcoat to the 20th-century garden makers Sir John and Lady Amory.
The Gardens — A Living Collection
The gardens themselves serve as a permanent outdoor exhibition of horticultural excellence, with seasonal highlights in the walled garden, woodland garden, pool garden, and parkland throughout the year.
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Time Periods
Current Exhibitions
No current exhibitions. Please check the museum website for updates.