Description

DOLTON
SS 51 SE
5/46 Halsdon House
GV II
House, former manor house. Late C17 with early C18 and C19 additions but possibly a
remodelling of an earlier house. Walls mainly rendered, probably rubble, apart from
front are constructed small dressed stone blocks. Hipped slate roof to main block,
gable-ended to right-hand wing. 2 rendered axial stacks to main range, one at
gable-end of right-hand wing has projecting rendered rubble base with rendered
shaft. 2 rendered lateral stacks at rear, one with large rubble base.
Plan: according to Burke who was writing in 1853 "a very ancient mansion about 200
years ago it was rebuilt in a plain style by Philip Furse Esq", the Furses having
held the estate since 1680. This suggests a late C17 date which is corrobated by
the outward appearance of the main range and the panelling in one of its rooms.
However, a 2-room wing set back and extending from its right-hand end contains
sections of earlier C17 panelling and it is not clear if this represents some
survival of the earlier house or was simple re-used when this range was built. The
main part of the house consists of 2 equal sized rooms heated by fireplaces at the
rear, separated by a central hall which extends at the rear into a small wing for
the staircase. Either side of the stairs is a further rear wing probably for
service purposes. Built out and extending along the rear of these wings is a narrow
corridor. 1 storey probably C19 conservatory extension at left-hand end. Various
C19 service additions have been made at the rear of both the principal ranges
including a kitchen. The front is probably also an early C19 addition or
modification of the original.
Exterior: 2 storeys. Symmetrical 3-bay front with large 2 storey canted bay window
to either side and central pediment. Stone parapet either side of pediment,
apparently interrupted by it as it breaks forward slightly with a modillion cornice
to either side of it. The bay windows have large early C19 marginal glazed sashes.
Balustraded flat-roofed porch with arches at front and sides and corner pilasters.
Early C19 marginal glazed sash window on lst floor above porch. Contemporary double
8-panelled doors partly glazed. Set back from right-hand end and symmetrical 3-
window wing extends to the right which has later C19 9-pane sashes on the 1st floor
and early C19 tripartite 20-pane sashes below. Central 6-panel door with stone
pediment above and doorhood supported on brackets. Modillion cornice below eaves.
C19 conservatory addition at left-hand end with single storey service range behind
it and another range behind and parallel to right-hand wing has a timber belfry.
The original or early C19 arched sash stair window survives to the central hipped
wing behind the main range. Small rear courtyard formed by later additions.
Interior: the entrance hall has an arch at the rear to either side of the stairs.
The right-hand room of the main range contains late C17 bolection moulded panelling
and an C18 chimneypiece with central decorative panel to frieze. The left-hand room
has an ornate C18 chimneypiece with trailing flower motif to central panel and egg
and dart surround. The end room of the right-hand wing has some sections of C17
panelling and an ornately carved eaved wooden chimneypiece which formerly had a
carved wooden overmantle but now only retains a carved figure to either side above
it. The architrave to the door is similarly carved. On the first floor various
simple C18 chimneypieces survive. The staircase is probably early C18 and has a
closed string with stick balusters and column newels. The roof structure where
visible appears to be of C18 or early C19 construction.
Late C17 houses of this quality are fairly unusual in Devon and although this one
exhibits considerable evidence of C18 and early C19 remodellings these do not
detract from its interest.
William Cay, the poet and writer, (1832-90) lived here for a time.
Source: J B Burke: Visitation of Seats and Arms Vol.1 (1853)

Listing NGR: SS5575012675

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26456176

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

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  Building Small Projects (New Best of Fine Woodworking)
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  England's Post-War Listed Buildings
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  Gloucestershire 2: The Vale and The Forest of Dean: Vale and Forest of Dean Pt. 2 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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  Pioneers of Modern Design: From William Morris to Walter Gropius (Penguin Art & Architecture)
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  Wiltshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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