See important guidance on the use of this record.

If you have any comments or new information about this record, please email us.

Summary

Ruins of a large country house in formerly landscaped grounds, built in 1537 for Sir Thomas Fowel, much extended and remodelled in Gothick style in the late 18th century. The house was reputedly abandoned in 1919.

Location

Protected Status

• Listed Building (II) 1325432: RUINS OF FOWLECOMBE HOUSE

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX65NE/38/1
• Old Listed Building Ref (II): 99375

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• COUNTRY HOUSE (XVI to XVIII - 1501 AD to 1800 AD (Between))

Full description

Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV176705.

Osa=sx65ne46/photo.

Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV176706.

Hoskins, w. G. /devon/(1964)509.

Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV176707.

White, /directory of devon/(1850).

Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV176708.

Des=oral information from mrs. S. Hipswell, ugborough.

Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV176709.

Champerknowne, c. E. C. /the champerknowne family/(unpublished)/totnes library.

Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV176710.

Des=ugborough parish checklist(1975)316.

Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV176711.

Des=ware, v. /pers comm(-/-/1974).

Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV176712.

Des=os 6" (1969) map.

Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV176713.

Doe/hhr:ugborough(27/5/1986)61.

Department of Environment, Untitled Source (Report - Survey). SDV326104.

Fowelscombe mansion, now in ruins. Formerly foghelerscombe, was the seat of the fogheler or foghel family. The name is first mentioned in 1344, and occurs later with variation of spelling until in 1661 one of the family sir edmund fowell was created a baronet. Built in 1537, it seems to have been deserted in the middle of the 19th century. The building consists of a tower to which in elizabethan times a hall and porch was added. It is owned by mr. Burdow fowelscombe, has no roof and though the external walls remain at their original height the internal walls have almost completely fallen down and the interior of the mansion is full of trees. Exterior walls are of stone and hardy plaster faced and ivy covered (os). Vis=-/-/1974 (ware, v. ). Old house apparently fell into ruin sometime in the 19th century, and the ivy clad remains do not show up much. Present farmhouse not very old (ware). Vis=fowelscombe house; a large ruined 16th century house in a remote situation. Roofless and completely gutted. Rubble and some ashlar wood transomed windows, and remains of others of stone. Two storeyed, with a porch. Some stone doorways with four centred heads. The clock went to hayford hall, buckfast- leigh. Bought by servington savery, 1838. Said to have been occupied by dr. Cornish of modbury later (champerknowne). Vis=building known as fowelscombe. The remains of which are situated at above ngr and shown on os 6" (1969) map. Ruins of large country house in formerly landscaped grounds 1537 for sir thomas fowel, much extended and remodelled in gothick style in circa late c18. Not much if any of the c16 house remains. Slate rubble, largely stuccoed, sw corner tower ashlar.2 or 3 storeys. The ruins are roofless and much of the walls have collapsed, but the walls on the sw elevation and the walls of the tower projections on the se front are fairly complete. The whole is much overgrown with ivy. The long se front has 4 projecting towers, 2 with corbelled and moulded battlements. The sw corner tower is partly ashlar faced and has chamfered pointed arch doorway on the right-hand return. The sw tower is said to incorporate some of the c16 house (pevsner). Stuccoed labels to window heads.2 or 3-storey porch on sw end elevation with stuccoed moulded 2-centred arch doorway with label. The house is built into the hillside and behind there are terraced former gardens. The house was reputedly abandoned in 1919 (doe).

Clark, J., 2013, Fowelscombe (ruin) (Un-published). SDV357547.

Ruins of a large country house in formerly landscaped grounds. Built in 1537 for Sir Thomas Fowel. The family sold it in the mid-eighteenth century. It was added to in about 1800 and deserted in the middle of the nineteenth century. Stockdale described it as ‘a very interesting Gothic mansion and the surrounding demesne is highly romantic.’ The sale particulars of 1919 noted that it was ‘The once Grand Old Castellated Mansion of Fowelscombe (now out of repair).

Ordnance Survey, 2014, MasterMap (Cartographic). SDV355681.

English Heritage, 2014, National Heritage List for England (National Heritage List for England). SDV355683.

Ruins of large country house in formerly landscaped grounds 1537 for Sir Thomas Fowel, much extended and remodelled in gothick style in circa late C18. Not much, if any, of the C16 house remains. Slate rubble, largely stuccoed, south-west corner tower ashlar. 2 or 3 storeys. Theruins are roofless and much of the walls have collapsed, but the walls on the south-west elevation and the walls of the tower projections on the south east front are fairly complete. The Whole is much overgrown with ivy. The long south-east front has 4 projecting towers, 2 with corbelled and moulded battlements. The south-west corner tower is partly ashlar-faced and has chamfered pointed arch doorway on the right-hand return. The south-west tower is said to incorporate some of the C16 house (Peusner). Stuccoed labels to window heads. 2 or 3-storey porch on south-west end elevation with stuccoed moulded 2-centred arch doorway with label. The house is built into the hillside and behind there are terraced former gardens. The house was reputedly abandoned in 1919.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events: none recorded

Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.