Knightshayes Court near Tiverton in Devon

National Trust Property: Knightshayes Court Court Bolham, Tiverton, Devon. Victorian country house with richly decorated interiors and fine garden. Designed by the eccentric William Burges. Interior Romantic and Gothic-style splendour. Celebrated formal gardens with lily pools, floral borders and amusing topiary. Rare shrubs and specimen trees give vivid autumn colours. Play the pianos

Begun in 1869, Knightshayes Court is a rare survival of the work of designer William Burges. The interiors combine medieval romanticism with lavish Victorian decoration, and the smoking and billiard rooms, elegant boudoir and drawing room all give an atmospheric insight into the grand country house life which revolved around the Heathcoat-Amory family. A recently opened room shows original Burges designs, including furniture and wall-paintings. The celebrated garden features a water lily pool and topiary, specimen trees, rare shrubs and delightful seasonal colours. Attractive woodland walks lead through the grounds.

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