Devon Historic Buildings
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Situated about one mile to the west of Exeter City Centre, Bowhill House was built around 1500 by the Holland family, a wealthy local family of landowners. Bought by the Carew family in the 16th century, this late medieval house was purchased in turn by St Thomas Hospital for Lunatics to be used as a lunatic asylum at the turn of the 19th century for £2650. Despite its gross politically incorrect name, between 1801 and 1848 the hospital admitted 1461 patients of which 759 patients were released as cured. On your visit, you'll see the surviving part of a large courthouse yard.
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Situated on Bartholomew Street, this architectural oddity which was consecrated in 1837 can only be visited on a Red Coat Guided Tour. Check with the Exeter Tourist Information Centre for more details.
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An attraction which may only be visited on a Red Coat Guided Tour, the Custom House is Exeter's oldest surviving brick building. Constructed by the City of Exeter in 1680-1681, it was designed by Richard Allen during the reign of Charles II. The centre-piece of Exeter's Historic Quayside, the Custom House was once used to house Exeter's customs staff as well as royal customs officials. This historic building is the first purpose built Custom House in England and a marker of the city's 17th century commercial growth. The surrounding historic warehouses and buildings now cater for tourist needs in the form of tea rooms, antique shops and craft centres.
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A La Ronde is a charming, 16-sided 18th century house. Former residence of two lady cousins, they invested their energies into "Lady's Amusements" of the time. A La Ronde with its shell grotto provides one of the best in situ examples of this bygone passtime.
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Just half a mile from Paignton town centre, Oldway Mansion is a local landmark. Former home of the Singer family, this Grade II listed building was modelled on the Versailles Palace and the Place de la Concorde in Paris.
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A historic house lying in the heart of Plymouth's old town, the Elizabethan House is the former home of a sea-captain who lived here in the 1500's. The displays are spread out over a series of period rooms over three floors. The old pole staircase is just one of the original architectural features which you'll enjoy on your visit.
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A private home that has always been the property of the Woollcombe family, Hemerdon House is open from 1st May to 30th September every year.
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A fine Georgian mansion set within 20 acres of parkland, Saltram House overlooks the Plym estuary. Beautiful English garden with follies, 19th century chapel, Saltram also boast works by Joshua Reynolds and Angelica Kauffmann.
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Built in 1759, Smeaton's Tower was the fourth tower to guide ships safely through Plymouth's port. It replaced the earlier Rudyerd Tower (1709) which was set ablaze when the lantern house caught fire.
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Now mostly in ruins, Tavistock Abbey was once the richest and largest abbey in this part of England. These L-shaped remains serve as a reminder of a foundation that created this town and its famous pannier market.
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A restored Tudor House, Mount Edgcumbe House and Country Park comprises 865 acres of land. An attraction with 200 year old English, French and Italian gardens, Mount Edgcumbe also boasts some of the best views over Plymouth.
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One of the most important Palaeolithic sites in Europe, Kent's Cavern offers a unique tour. You'll pass through various colourful underground caves which were inhabited across a timespan of some 700,000 years.
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One of the most important historic buildings in the area, Torre Abbey was once amongst the wealthiest Premonstratensian Abbeys in England. On your visit, you'll be able to see the medieval undercroft and medieval tithe barn.
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A wonderful initiative which began in 1925 when Dorothy and Leonard Elmhirst converted Dartington Hall, an ancient estate, into a base for a range of environmental and educational projects.
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A work representative of Swiss-American architect, William Lescaze, High Cross House and its collections combine to form an international celebration of Modernism in its various forms.
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First build in the 11th century the Totnes Guildhall has served as a Benedictine Priory, Magistrates' Courts and the town gaol. See the former prisoner's cell and the table at which Oliver Cromwell spun a cunning plan.
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A unique site, Buckland Abbey is a 13th century church restored into an Elizabethan country home. Home to sea-faring adversaries Sir Richard Grenville and Sir Francis Drake, Buckland Abbey also boasts gardens and country walks.
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