See important guidance on the use of this record.

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

Summary

Now two cottages, Parliament was originally a house dating to the 17th century. Following his landing in Brixham in November 1688, William of Orange is said to have held a meeting of his supporters here before moving onto Berry Pomeroy Castle, hence the name of the house. A memorial stone in the front garden states: 'William Prince of Orange is said to have held his first parliament here in November 1688'.

Location

Protected Status

• Listed Building (II) 1166343: PARLIAMENT COTTAGES

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX85NW/14
• Old Listed Building Ref (II)
• Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division: SX85NW8

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• HOUSE (Built, XVII to XVIII - 1601 AD (Between) to 1800 AD (Between))

Full description

Windeatt, T. W., 1880, The Landing of the Prince of Orange at Brixham, 1688, 218 (Article in Serial). SDV144495.

Parliament House, on road from Berry House to Brixham. The Prince of Orange said to have had a secret interview with Sir Edward Seymour here. Now a cluster of labourers' cottages.

Couldrey, W. G., 1932, Memories and Antiquities of Paignton, 230-231 (Article in Serial). SDV343465.

Following William of Orange's landing at Brixham on 5th November 1688, he was met by a number of local landowners and other people of importance at a small house at Longcombe. The house, known as Parliament House, still stands. The event is recorded on an inscribed stone slab on the house.

Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division, 1980, SX85NW8 (Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Card). SDV144496.

Site visits 1952. Concrete faced house built in three set back steps before the centre one on which is a granite slab inscribed: 'this is said to be the house in which William Prince of Orange held his first Parliament in November 1688. Thus the name. ' The house has a thatched roof, sash windows and large exterior chimneys.

Department of Environment, 1985, Berry Pomeroy, 11 (List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest). SDV165313.

Parliament Cottages. Two adjoining cottages. C17 with circa c18 wings to north-east and south-west. Rendered stone rubble and cob. Thatched roof with gabled and hipped ends. Two storeys. Original part at centre is a four-window range with large rendered chimney stack on front wall with glazed door to right. Mostly C18 three-light casements with glazing bars. Wing to north-east, at right angles, with stack at gable end. Wing to south-west has large external stone rubble stack at gable end and a C20 extension to west, also with thatched roof.
Interior: two chamfered ceiling beams in centre range and half-newel stairs at rear.
Known as parliament cottages because William III is said to have held a meeting of his supporters here before travelling on to Berry Pomeroy Castle. A stone in the front garden states: 'William Prince of Orange is said to have held his first parliament here in November 1688'.

Brown, S., 1997/8, Berry Pomeroy: Archaeological Survey for Presentation, 22 + appendix 3,112 (Report - Survey). SDV165315.

Ordnance Survey, 2024, Mastermap 2024 (Cartographic). SDV365834.

Marked as Parliament, with a monument in the garden.

Historic England, 2024, National Heritage List for England, 1166343 (National Heritage List for England). SDV365835.

Parliament Cottages. Two adjoining cottages. C17 with circa C18 wings to north-east and south-west. Rendered stone rubble and cob. Thatched roof with gabled and hipped ends. Two storeys. O riginal part at centre is a four-window range with large rendered chimney stack on front wall with glazed door to right. Mostly C18 three-light casements with glazing bars. Wing to north-east, at right angles, with stack at gable end. Wing to south-west has large external stone rubble stack at gable end and a C20 extension to west, also with thatched roof. Interior: two chamfered ceiling beams in centre range and half-newel stairs at rear.
Known as Parliament Cottages because William III is said to have held a meeting of his supporters here before travelling on to Berry Pomeroy Castle. A stone in the front garden states: "William Prince of Orange is said to have held his first Parliament here in November 1688".
Date first listed: 11th November 1952

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events: none recorded

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