Knightshayes Court
Knightshayes Court is a National Trust property. It is a 19th-century house designed by architect William Burges for former Tiverton MP, Sir John Heathcoat-Amory. There’s plenty of detail to enjoy whilst exploring the ground-floor of the house, from grotesques and gargoyles to the medieval Great Hall with its minstrels gallery. Interesting items include stone carvings of the seven deadly sins as well as a portrait of Rembrandt that may be by the Dutch master himself.
Pheasant strutting on the road.
The Reception area and cafe for Knightshayes Court, formerly the stable block.
Bluebells and Silver Birch trees.
The walled garden
Magnolia in early bloom
Large clumps of Snowdrops
Dogs? heads abound in the topiary.
Bumblebee braving the cold.
Marsh Marigolds and Primroses
The textured papery bark of a Birch tree.
These strange shaped pots are for forcing rhubarb to grow long fruity stems.
Gardeners cottage
Tulips brighten up the bare shrubs
Cone topiary
View up inside the conical turrets on the wall.
Garden gnome?
The main house
Entrance with minstrel's gallery
An odd bit of fun!
Chandelier in the hallway
Bronze sculpture, Deirdre by Jacob Epstein (1880-1959). A portrait bust, head, shoulders and upper arm, grey/green in colour of ne of three studies Sir Jacob modelled on a young friend, Kathleen Balfour, in 1941
This coat of arms has nothing to do with Ulster (Northern Ireland) and is not the coat of arms of Heathcoat Amory
Piano study
Sculpture, bronze, Sir John Heathcoat-Amory, 3rd Bt (1894-1972) by Sir Jacob Epstein (New York 1880 – London 1959).
The ceilings, designed by William Burges are spectacular.
Tulips
The white book, near the middle, is dated 1610
Martinware - grotesque birds
Painting by Raphael
A Lady in a White Cap (formerly attributed to Hans Holbein the younger) German School (possibly)
Madonna and Child with Saint Jerome and Saint Sebastian. Matteo di Giovanni (c.1430–1495)
The Annunciation Rogier van der Weyden (c.1399–1464) (style of)
Boy with a Birdcage Caspar Netscher (1639–1684)
Saint John the Baptist Giovanni Antonio Boltraffio (1467–1516) (attributed to)
A Young Turk Caspar Netscher (1639–1684)
The 'Sun of Venice' Going to Sea Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775–1851) (after)
Stag at Bay on a Rocky Shore Thomas Blinks (1860–1912)
Quite an unusual walk. (William Burges)
Bronze cobra
Cruelty to cats! (Cats eyes are reflective markings on roads)