A display of Jeanne du Maurier artist's studio in an exhibition at Killerton House, Devon

In the Spring, we told you about an exhibition at the National Trust property Killerton House in Devon, which includes a display of Jeanne du Maurier's artist's studio.  Insights into Jeanne's life and work are rare treats.  Although we know a lot about Daphne and her older sister Angela, Jeanne's life is much less well documented, and as such, she is the sister about whom we know the least.    So, it is with some excitement that we bring you news of this exhibition.

The exhibition runs until 1st November, so you still have a little time to go and see it.

The Acland family owned the Killerton Estate and lived there from the late 17th century until 1944, when Sir Richard Acland passed it to the National Trust.  Today you will find a beautiful Georgian House, set in 6,400 acres of working farmland, woodland, parkland, cottages and orchards.  Alongside the house and grounds, you will find a café, a coffee shop, a super second-hand bookshop, and a gardening and gift shop.  So you can visit the exhibition and house, and enjoy a great day out at Killerton.

Killerton House is the National Trust's home for a comprehensive fashion collection, with more than 20,000 items of historic clothing and accessories.  In 2025, the collection acquired some of Jeanne and Noel's clothing, including riding clothes and Jeanne's artist's smock, still with paint on it.  Their wardrobes reflect their love of the outdoors, horses and other animals, and gardening.

Each year, Killerton House stages a different exhibition to highlight some of the collection's spectacular and unusual items of clothing.  

History off the Hanger, Killerton House's fashion exhibition for 2026, explores 300 years of hidden stories preserved in clothing and accessories, including a slipper said to have been worn by King James II and remarkable tales of wartime weddings, long-distance devotion and lifelong partnerships.  It is here, reflecting lifelong partnerships, that we find the items belonging to Jeanne du Maurier. 

A reproduction of Jeanne's studio at Half Moon, the home she shared with Noel from the early 1950s.

Jeanne du Maurier was an artist.  She lived on Dartmoor with her partner, the poet Noel Welch.  On display is a reproduction of Jeanne's small artist's studio at Half Moon Cottage, where she and her partner Noel lived from the early 1950s.  The display shows Jeanne's artist's smock; her easel, which originally belonged to her grandfather, George du Maurier; her palette, brushes, and tools; examples of her paintings; photographs; and her rosary, representing a quiet, deep-rooted love and a shared creative life.

Jeanne's painting House in Madeira, which is on loan to the exhibition at Killerton from the Royal West of England Academy, Bristol.

Jeanne was a devoted Roman Catholic, and her rosary is displayed with a photograph of Noel and a book of Noel's poetry.

After Jeanne died in 1997, Noel kept her studio as she had left it until her own passing in 2017.

The exhibition opens with the house, daily 11am to 4pm (last entry 3.30pm).  The event is free, but normal admission charges to the National Trust property apply.

Killerton House, Broadclyst, Exeter, Devon, EX5 3LE.

01392 881345

killerton@nationaltrust.org.uk

If you are interested in finding out more about Jeanne du Maurier, we strongly recommend one splendid book.  Daphne du Maurier and her Sisters: The Hidden Lives of Piffy, Bird and Bing by Jane Dunn was published by HarperCollins in 2013.  This book contains virtually everything we know about Jeanne.  It is a hugely interesting book that follows Angela, Daphne, and Jeanne throughout their lives and highlights their devotion to one another.  It is a book that we thoroughly enjoyed and often refer back to, and we strongly recommend it to anyone interested in finding out more about the du Maurier sisters.

Ann Willmore, October 2026.

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