Things to do in Killerton House

A view of the bookshelves and table with the draped windows in the background, inside the Library at Killerton, Devon — The library at Killerton house, Devon. | © National Trust Images / Andreas von Einsiedel

Step inside and explore the country house residence of Sir Francis Acland, 14th Baronet, home of the Acland family from the late 17th century.

Explore the house

Killerton House lies at the heart of the Killerton Estate, which was the seat of the Acland family from the late 17th century until it was given to the National Trust in 1944. Step inside and explore the relaxed family home of Sir Francis Acland, 14th Baronet.

On your visit you’ll experience the ground floor of the house as if it were the 1920s–1930s. You can explore the entrance hall, music room, staircase hall, drawing room, library and dining room.

As you wander through these rooms, imagine Killerton as the home of an active, busy family who enjoyed a wide range of country pursuits.

A tame pheasant

Mackintoshes in the entrance hall, dogs on the sofa in the music room (despite protests from Sir Francis), the library scattered with books and correspondence. Back in the day, if you visited at breakfast time, you would have caught a glimpse of Sir Francis feeding his tame pheasant through the window.

A view of the study room at Killerton, with red walls and two grey sofas — The Study at Killerton | © National Trust Images/Andreas von Einsiedel

Fashion on the first floor

In 1978, Killerton became the home of the Paulise de Bush fashion collection. Where was once bedrooms, the upstairs rooms now hosts changing fashion exhibitions. The 2024 fashion exhibition is 'Playing by the Rules: Childhood, Dress and Imagination' and is open daily upstairs in the house until Sunday 3 November 2024.

Family fun

As a family home there is plenty to do for younger visitors and for those who are just young at heart.

Legend has it that the Acland children once built a boat in the study. We don’t offer boat building today, but there are plenty of other exciting things to discover at Killerton.

Three children and an adult look at items of clothing in a cabinet at Killerton in Devon — Visitors exploring a fashion exhibition at Killerton | © National Trust Images/John Millar

Family pets

The family absolutely adored their dogs, horses and birds. A fun game to play is to spot all the family pets in the paintings and photographs. How many can you find hidden in plain sight? See if you can find more than the room guides.

Do you enjoy jokes?

The Acland’s loved to have fun and there are hidden jokes to be found in the library. Take a look and see what you can discover in a secret opening.

Hide and seek game

A group of friendly fluffy barn owls have helped decorated Killerton House for Christmas this year. They are dotted around the ground floor. Can you spot them all as you explore?