https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/knightshayes
John Heathcoat made his fortune by designing and patenting a
machine that revolutionised the production of lace. When his Derbyshire factory
was destroyed by Luddites in 1816 he moved his business, and a large number of
his workers, to Tiverton in Devon where he established the largest lace-producing factory in the world.
By the late 19th century, the Heathcoat-Amory family owned
much of the manufacturing and land around Tiverton and John Heatcoat’s
grandson, Sir John Heathcoat-Amory, commissioned the building of a Victorian Gothic
revival style Court at the site of Knightshayes because from there Sir John
could see his factory in Tiverton in the distance. Building began in 1869 and was completed in 1874.
Sir John’s son married Joyce Wethered, a famous English
golfer, and, as they had no children, after his death the house was handed over to the National
Trust in 1973. Joyce Wethered, aka Lady Heathcoat-Amory, continued to live in a
wing of the court till her death in 1997.
Outside there are magnificent grounds and gardens, including a large, walled, kitchen garden.
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