Knightshayes Court

HOUSE

Knightshayes is one of the rare surviving examples of work by influential Victorian architect William Burgess, who was also responsible for Cardiff Castle and Castell Coch. Burgess was an interesting character who first trained as an engineer before turning to architecture. He was heavily influenced by French Gothic style, and his work is very much in the mode of Gothic Revival.

John Heathcoat-Amory, MP for Tiverton, hired Burgess to create a new house at Knightshayes in 1859. However, the owner lost patience when Burgess had still not completed the house by 1874, and JD Crace was hired to finish the job. It is Crace who was responsible for much of the painted ceiling and stencilling.

Where the exterior is reserved Gothic, the interiors at Knightshayes are richly comfortable, a perfect example of what a Victorian country house "ought to be". There are extensive collections of the family china and silver, as well as fine art and family portraits. Many of the rooms have richly carved panelling, and the corbels supporting the ceiling supportss are carved to represent comical figures.

GARDEN

Knightshayes Garden is one of the most enjoyable in Devon. A landscape of woodland and carefully arranged plantings of flowering shrubs create a place of ever-changing vistas. There are a variety of amusing animal topiary and clipped hedges, spring bulbs, rare shrubs, a lily pool and excellent seasonal colours throughout. There are enjoyable walks through the mature woodlands surrounding the house.