More information : Dovery Court, in Dover Hay, built probably in the latter half of the 15th century or earlier, stands on the site of a still older house, the chamfered stone base of which was uncovered
in places during the partial restoration of the present house.
Beneath the hall floor encaustic tiles, dated to no earlier than
1450, have been found. There was formerly a pitched stone court in front of the house, now buried beneath the roadway, and opposite, remains of other substantial buildings bearing traces of fire.
[See Illustrations Card.] (1)
At SS 8881 4675, this house is now used as a Reading Room and Library, it was very much restored in 1893 (date stone over door) and it is not of outstanding architectural interest.
See G.P. AO/65/176/2. (2)
II* Doverhay Reading Room
Formerly Manor House. Interesting example of small 15th century manor house. Restored and with some later alterations. Rough-cast on rubble, flush quoins, square stone end stacks, one on exposed chimney breast with off-sets, flat copings to end gables. Two-storey, L-shaped; salient exterior feature is large Perpendicular window of 4 lights, moulded stone mullions and single transom, richly traceried with square head and drip-mould, iron saddle bars and stanchions. Square head 2-light casement above with moulded stone mullions. Other windows in S. elevation and inward-facing N. elevation include leaded casements with carved oak frames and Perpendicular head tracery. Four-centred arch moulded stone doorframe. Interior features include good open stone fireplace to ground floor, stone staircase to 1st floor, open timber roof of three 1/2-bays with arched principals, collar beams, 3 purlins, moulded wall plates; restored. Stone-walled forecourt with wall enclosing also later cottage abutting N. end elevation of Reading Room. (3)
Doverhay Manor House, a fragment of a 15th century manor house, much restored and remodelled in 1883. (4)
(SS 88814675) Dovery Reading Rooms (NAT) (5)
SS8846 PORLOCK CP DOVERHAY
24/48 Doverhay Reading Room and cottage abutting north end 22.5.69 - II*
Manor house, now dwelling, museum and information centre. Late C15, extended possibly C17, extensively restored c1895 by Edmund Buckle. Roughcast over rubble, exposed (right) gable end, quoins, slate roofs, coped verges to main block, external stone stack right in gable end rising at rear of main block. L-plan: central hall with addition left, cross wing projecting right. One and half and two storeys, lower independently roofed addition left with 19th century casement rising through eaves, pentice hood to 3-light bay window, door to right with pentice porch; main block, first floor 2-light ovolo moulded mullion window, ground floor good 8-light mullioned and transomed Perpendicular window under hood mould with 19th century ferramentae, depressed 4-centred arch moulded doorframe right, independently roofed wing right, stair light gable end, leaded casements with carved oak frames and
Perpendicular tracery, extensively renewed late C19. Interior:
partially sighted, hall fine ogee-headed lintel to fireplace
carried on shaped corbels, renewed 6-panel compartment ceiling, stone newel stair, ogee headed doorframe, arched wooden door frame in upper storey with exposed 3-bay arch braced roof, moulded wall plate; wing not seen. Restored at the expense of Sir Charles Chadwyck-Healey. (Photograph in NMR). (6)
Additional Bibliography. (7)
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