Magical National Trust estate named among Devon's top attractions

Lorna Hughes

30 November 2024 at 1:00 am·1-min read

A view of the Killerton House from the south east. Killerton House & Garden are part of a working agricultural estate which covers ten square miles of the surrounding countryside. — -Credit: (Image: National Trust Images/Andrew Butler)

A National Trust estate has been named among Devon's top attractions at a prestigious tourism awards. Killerton in Broadclyst, near Exeter, was in the running for the coveted title of Large Visitor Attraction of the Year at the Devon Tourism Awards.

It faced tough competition in the category and while the 6,400 acre estate was beaten to both the top spot and second place, bosses were delighted to be placed third and win the bronze award. Crealy Theme Park was placed joint bronze, Escapism Plymouth was awarded silver, and the Donkey Sanctuary awarded gold.

The bronze award will now go on display in the visitor reception at Killerton, which has been cared for by the National Trust since it was passed on to the conservation charity by the Acland family in 1944.

Jamie Jones, visitor operations and experience manager at Killerton, said: "It's amazing. We were delighted to have been selected as finalists but to win bronze is such a reward. We would like to thank the other finalists as they are such worthy winners too."

General manager Phillip Smart added: “I’m incredibly proud of the whole team of staff and volunteers here at Killerton who made this award possible. It’s their dedication and professionalism that makes the difference and makes our visitors want to return to Killerton."

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