One of the iconic original Axminster carpets was made in 1769 for Rockbeare Manor and it has been there ever since. Rockbeare Manor has now been leased on a 50 year lease and is to become a conference centre. Owner, Gerard Noel has generously loaned the carpet to Axminster Heritage and says that since it can no longer be in the room it was made for – he wanted it to ‘come home’ to Thomas Whitty House. It will be on show when the Heritage Centre opens to the public next spring.
