Yesterday was an All Horts day trip to the National Trust property Knightshayes Court, which is not far from Tiverton in Devon. To be more accurate “All” didn’t turn up, it was Three Horts and a friend, but no matter, we still had fun. It had after all been cobbled together at short notice, January is a funny month and these factors combined with no one likes me, resulted in a skeleton crew. Knighthayes is a Victorian gothic revival manor house, awarded a Grade 1 listing in 1973, one hundred years after it was completed in 1873. And a handsome sight it is, replete with sculptures of mythic creatures, turrets and lancet windows. Lovely as it looked we weren’t there for the architecture, we were there for the extensive gardens.
Due to the recent deluges some of the paths were closed, but this made little if any difference to our enjoyment (and probably a big difference to our boots!). Our guide was a rather beautiful cat named (by us) Sidney (Sidders to his mates).
He was a charming companion until he rushed off to some important mouse meeting or suchlike.
The Paved Garden imprisons standard-pruned wisteria, yet to transform into spring belles with ball gowns dripping in amethyst, all the same stunning in their gnarled beauty.
The Pool Garden magical with enchanting willow sculptures.
Immaculate topiary and yew hedges, hounds bounding after the fox they will never catch.
The woodland full of the unusual and the dramatic including this orange peel witch hazel.
The formal borders still boasting flowering abuliton and fuchsia.
The walled garden, cornered by fairytale turrets and the possessor of the finest soil this side of Christendom, it was all I could do to stop MM rolling around in it.
All this and still the chat was relentless.
As we drove romantically into the glorious sunset I mulled over our day. We had arrived the moment Knightshayes opened its doors and left as it was closing (we may have been pushed a little). We walked all day with every footstep a joy, every corner a surprise and some heritage red flowered broad beans were purchased. There were three visits to the cafe, several to the lavatory …… sorry, what? too much information? OK. Well, put it this way, we made full use of all the facilities. And we met a very nice man called Lewis.
Thank you to my friends Hero, Mad Mary and Torrington Tina for making this a wonderful day. Here is to the next one!
Off The Edge Gardening 
Well I like you and I wish I could have come too. I have never been to Knightshayes but it looks well worth a visit even in winter.
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I wish you were there too! You never know, one day ….. 🙂
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I’ve never been but would like to very much, you seem to have lots of great gardens down there to choose from.
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I always look at where others have been in other parts of the country and think, I wish I were closer. The gardens are always greener on the other side 🙂
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Thanks for the pictures, I enjoyed your day as well.
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Its good to share!
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I love the deer sculpture by the pond. Apologies once again. I kept gazing out at the sunshine and thought of you as I had my head glued to the computer all day 😦
Although you would have lost me as soon as you got to the geese in the walled garden, assuming they’re still there. Last time I stood and watched them for hours.
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No geese! Thank goodness, I am frightened of them (after an incident at Windmill Hill City Farm) 😦 Look forward to seeing you at the next one x
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A most enjoyable post and lovely pictures. Sidney is a wonderful looking cat, and he appears to have a fox tail! xx
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Well spotted! Sidney had just had an “incident” with a passing scotty dog, the tail is a result of said incident. 🙂
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It just goes to show that even in a cold and wet January, gardens can still offer their magic. Or is it just the way you describe everything? It always sounds such fun.
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It was fun, I am going to organise one for Marwood at the beginning of April, hope you will come!
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Great! Where are you taking us?
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No, we are coming to Marwood!
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Yes, it was a magical day and we all like Gill especially as she organised the trip to coincide with a ‘Not Raining’ day which was especially clever. We are blessed with some lovely gardens down here and it was great to get out on a visit this early in the year – a good start! Thank you x
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Glad you spotted that TT! Thanks to you x
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If all of us, horts and non-horts alike, had joined you in this delightful day away, you might not have been welcome on a return visit! You might have found me however, sitting with Sidney beside the snarled wisteria mulling contentedly.
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And you would have made a lovely pair!
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What a treat! The willow deer and the topiary creatures. And the cat! Such an unusual colour, with a black tip to its tail. Delightful.
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If I could, I would have sneaked him into my bag!
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