Anyway we timed the journey down so that we would have time to visit Knightshayes Court which is just off the M5 motorway near to Tiverton. This is another National Trust property formerly home to the Heathcoat Amory family since it was built around 1869 from the proceeds of the fortune made by the family lace making business established in the town in 1816.
The original architect, William Burgess, was sacked for taking too long and costing too much, and replaced by J D Crace who finally completed the task in 1879. The house is very grand and very gothic but not overpoweringly so, with plenty of interest to see. It was well worth the short detour required for the visit.
I thought that one of the most attractive buildings was actually the stable block which now serves as the restaurant for visitors to the site. As usual, the food served was of a very high standard with most of the vegetables coming from the Kitchen Garden.
The Walled Kitchen Garden has recently been restored and is a credit to the gardening team working there. The site is ideal being on a hill slope getting full sun most of the day and being protected by the walls on 4 sides.
Within the garden there are many non food plants grown which were a magnet to the insects thriving there.
Around the house are many gothic touches with some extremely fine gargoyles to be seen.
More information can be found at National Trust | Knightshayes Court
I also have a gallery of further pictures at smugmug - Brodick : Knightshayes Court
After leaving Knightshayes Court we continued upto a cottage a few miles from Barnstaple which we used as our base. Once I have sorted out my photographs I will continue with my postings here.
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