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Summary

Blinsham is first recorded in Domesday Book of 1086 and there are also references dating to 1400. The present house probably has its origins in the 15th century or earlier but was largely rebuilt in the late 20th century.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SS51NW/22

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• HOUSE (Built, XV - 1401 AD (Between) to 1500 AD (Between))

Full description

Reichel, O. J., 1928 - 1938, The Hundred of Shebbear in Early Times, 485,486,575,581 (Article in Monograph). SDV7713.

Blinsham was held by Goscelm in Domesday. It was appurtenant to Owlacombe in Roborough, and both were held of Tetbald, son of berner. Early descents of the manor given.

Historic England, 2025, Blinsham, Beaford, Wingleigh, Devon, UK (List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest). SDV366717.

Notification that Historic England are assessing Blinsham for listing and have completed an initial report to consider whether it has special architectural or historic interest.
The manor of Blinsham is recorded in Domesday and there are also references dating to 1400. It gained its name from the family who established it but there is no recorded evidence of a house on the site until the early 19th century when it is shown on the first edition Ordnance Survey map. The 1839 Tithe Map shows Blinsham as a small farmstead, with an L-shaped house to the west and a barn and other ancilliary buildings to the east.
Details
Farmhouse and attached barn, now house, probable C15 or earlier origins, but largely rebuilt in the late C20.
Materials: concrete block, cob and stone construction, stone-faced west elevation, other elevations largely cement rendered. C20 concrete tile roofs.
Plan: former barn to the north and house part to the south which is single depth with a corridor to the west and two storey one-bay extension to the south-east. There is evidence that the house may have been a two cell cross passage house; the extension may have contained the staircase.
Exterior: the house is two storeys and comprises a lower bay to the north and three bays to the south.
Interior: the interior was extensively renovated in the late C20 and most of the features are of that date.
See report for full details.

Historic England, 2026, Blinsham, Beaford, Winkleigh, Devon (List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest). SDV366857.

Having considered Historic England's recommendation, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has decided not to add Blinsham to the List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest for the following principal reasons: whilst elements of a cross-passage plan can be read, the house has been subject to a major phase of rebuilding, conversion and refurbishment which has diminished any claims to interest; the extant historic features (specifically, the chamfered and stopped doorframes) do not compensate for the losses to the historic fabric. The long history of a residence at Blinsham and its association with the wider manor of Owlacombe is of note, but as this is not evidenced in the building it does not add to its special interest; the 19th century and later history of the farmstead when it was owned by the Acland and Clinton families is of local rather than national interest.

Ordnance Survey, 2026, Mastermap 2026 (Cartographic). SDV366713.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events: none recorded

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