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Summary

A two-cell, single storey stone-built structure dating to the 18th century or earlier and which was last used as a lock up in 1867. It was used as an air raid shelter during the Second World War.

Location

Protected Status

• Listed Building (II) 1298319: PAIGNTON CLINK AND ADJOINING WALLS

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX86SE/43
• Old Listed Building Ref (II)
• Torbay HER: MTO16743

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• LOCK UP (Built, XVI to XVIII - 1501 AD (Between) to 1800 AD (Between))
• PRISON (XVI to XVIII - 1501 AD (Between) to 1800 AD (Between))
• AIR RAID SHELTER (World War II - 1939 AD to 1945 AD)

Full description

Couldrey, W. G., 1932, Memories and Antiquities of Paignton, 227 (Article in Serial). SDV343465.

The Clink was once a prison. Couldrey states that it was last used about 70 years ago and describes it as opposite the mortuary and leaning against the old Vicarage garden wall. It has stout walls, a vaulted stone roof and a narrow, unglazed window.

Waterfield, R., 1932, Proceedings at the Seventy-First Annual Meeting, held at Paignton, 20th to 24th June, 1932, 37 (Article in Serial). SDV362423.

Former prison house.

Foster, R., 1932, Scraps of Old Paignton, 544 (Article in Serial). SDV362424.

A water colour drawing of the clink by Foster was acquired by Torquay Museum.

Department of Environment, 1975, Borough of Torbay, 81 (List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest). SDV362418.

A small stone rubble building, probably 18th century, with stone vaulted ceiling and wide entrance. One slit window. Originally the clink or prison and used as such into the 19th century.

Laithwaite, J.M.L., 1977, Paignton Clink (Correspondence). SDV362467.

Two cell, single-storey structure built against a massive retaining wall to the road. Each cell has a slit window. The doorway at one end of the building was protected until recently by a blast wall which was erected during the Second World War when the building was used as an air raid shelter This has now been removed. Of more import though is the fact that the pitched tin roof has collapsed or has been removed and the barrel-vaulted roof is exposed to weather.
The repairs made for Architectural Heritage Year are not considered to have been effective.

Willmott Dobbie, B. M., 1979, Pounds or Pinfolds and Lockups, 30 (Monograph). SDV21958.

A two-cell, single storey structure built against a massive retaining wall to the south; each cell has a slit window. Of eighteenth century or earlier date, it is built of local breccia rubble with a lean-to slate roof. The wall is also of local red breccia rubble. The doorway is in the west end and has a breccia lintel and various remains of ironwork associated with doors. A plaque on the wall describes the lock-up as medieval and last used in 1867.

Timms, S. C., 1982, Paignton Clink (Personal Comment). SDV316679.

In ownership of Borough Council.

Gallant, L., 1983, Paignton Clink (Personal Comment). SDV362155.

By 1983 the clink has been re-roofed in asbestos slates.

Torbay Borough Council, 2000, A visit to Old Paignton (Leaflet). SDV365937.

A well-preserved 16th century prison. The last prisoner was locked up here in 1860. There are several stories about the jail including one about a prisoner who locked the parish constable into a cell with his own key.

Acanthus Ferguson Mann, 2002, The Paignton Clink - Quinquennial Survey (Report - non-specific). SDV362386.

A Quinquennial Survey commissioned by Torbay Council in May 2002 reported upon previous 1980s repairs and made recommendations with priorities for the next three.

Watts, S., 2024, The Clink (Ground Photograph). SDV366021.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV21958	Monograph: Willmott Dobbie, B. M.. 1979. Pounds or Pinfolds and Lockups. Pounds or Pinfolds and Lockups. Unknown. 30.
SDV316679	Personal Comment: Timms, S. C.. 1982. Paignton Clink. Not Applicable.
SDV343465	Article in Serial: Couldrey, W. G.. 1932. Memories and Antiquities of Paignton. Transactions of the Devonshire Association. 64. A5 Hardback. 227.
SDV362155	Personal Comment: Gallant, L.. 1983. Paignton Clink. Not Applicable.
SDV362386	Report - non-specific: Acanthus Ferguson Mann. 2002. The Paignton Clink - Quinquennial Survey. Acanthus Feruson Mann.
SDV362418	List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest: Department of Environment. 1975. Borough of Torbay. Historic Houses Register. 81.
SDV362423	Article in Serial: Waterfield, R.. 1932. Proceedings at the Seventy-First Annual Meeting, held at Paignton, 20th to 24th June, 1932. Transactions of the Devonshire Association. 64. Hardback Volume. 37.
SDV362424	Article in Serial: Foster, R.. 1932. Scraps of Old Paignton. Transactions of the Devonshire Association. 64. Hardback Volume + Digital. 544.
SDV362467	Correspondence: Laithwaite, J.M.L.. 1977. Paignton Clink. Letter to H. Miles. Hard copy + digital.
SDV365937	Leaflet: Torbay Borough Council. 2000. A visit to Old Paignton. Leaflet + Digital.
SDV366021	Ground Photograph: Watts, S.. 2024. The Clink. Digital.
	Linked images:1

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV7936 - The Paignton Clink - Quinquennial Survey 2002

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