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Summary

Originally a private house, built 1685, which was converted into the Town Hall in 1821. Interior retains some 17th century features.

Location

Protected Status

• Listed Building (II*) 1105855: TOWN HALL

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX59NE/19
• Old Listed Building Ref (II*): 93362

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• TOWN HALL (Built, XVII - 1685 AD to 1685 AD)

Full description

Young, E. H., 1932, Okehampton, 67 (Monograph). SDV227286.

The ancient guildhall which stood in the Middle Row of Okehampton was demolished in the 19th century. John Northmore's house, built 1685, was then converted into the Town Hall and first used as such in 1821.

Department of Environment, 1983, Okehampton, 2 (List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest). SDV342832.

Town Hall, 1685, originally a private house. Dressed granite with steeply pitched hipped slate roof and heavy moulded modillion eaves cornice which breaks over centre bay into a small pediment. Round moulded string course at floor levels. Three storeys, two bays. Sash windows with glazing bars in exposed moulded casing and with plain granite cills and lintels. Centre second floor has cornice hood on consoles. Centre first floor wooded centred bay window with sashes and ogee-shaped lead roof. Ground floor centre doorway with widely-spaced granite pilasters, slightly tapered with large bases and capitals, supporting the bay window above. Wide fielded panel door in heavy doorcase. Large modern extension at rear.
Interior: circa late 17th century, open well staircase with thick moulded balusters, heavy moulded string and hand rail and square newels with ball finials. Ground floor room has late 17th century moulded panelling with a cornice and chimney piece. Built in 1685 by John Northmore and purchased in 1740 by John Luxmoore MP, owner of Okehampton Castle, who used it as his town house. The Luxmoore family remained in possession until the mid 19th century when it was converted into the Town Hall, after the old Town Hall, in Middle Row, had been demolished.

Cherry, B. + Pevsner, N., 1989, The Buildings of England: Devon, 609 (Monograph). SDV325629.

Exeter Archaeology, 1997, An Archaeological Assessment of a Proposed Retail Development at Market Street, Okehampton, 4 (Report - Assessment). SDV349564.

Kenyon, D. R., 1997, Market Street, Okehampton: Archaeological Assessment (Report - Assessment). SDV346209.

Sinclair, E., 2005, Okehampton Town Hall. Inspection of Exterior Polychromy, 1 (Report - non-specific). SDV350285.

Site visit on 16th February 2005 to assess whether any traces of early decoration survive on the façade of the Town Hall. The inspection and ensuing analysis indicates that only the Coat of Arms and the lead hopper retain original, probably 17th century, paint. Elsewhere surfaces have either been stripped, well rubbed down or replaced.

Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division, Unknown, SS59NE9 (Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Card). SDV349565.

Site visit 10th October 1974. Middle Row was probably along the centre of Fore Street. The present town hall is a well preserved building which has been extensively refashioned.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV6041 - Inspection of Exterior Polychromy

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