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Summary

The former Exevale Hospital grounds were extensive, and included two lodges, a chapel and burial ground, farm and sanatorium, set around the central semi-circular range of buildings.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• PARK (XIX - 1801 AD to 1900 AD (Between))

Full description

Ordnance Survey, 1880-1899, First Edition Ordnance 25 inch map (Cartographic). SDV336179.

'County Lunatic Asylum' shown. Semi-circular range of buildings in the centre with lodges and chapel to the east, burial ground to the north-east, a range of buildings to the west, a farm and sanatorium to the south-west. Map object based on this source.

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/106G/UK/1412, RAF/106G/UK/1412 RP 3250-3251 13-APR-1946 (Aerial Photograph). SDV352504.

The building is visible in its landscaped setting.

Royal Air Force, 1960, RAF/58/3858/, RAF 58/3858/PSFO-0073 03-OCT-1960 (Aerial Photograph). SDV357102.

The hospital building is visible surrounded by landscaped grounds.

National Monument Record, 1993, NMR 4822, NMR 4822/3 21-JUN-1993 (Aerial Photograph). SDV359033.

The buildings and grounds are visible before conversion.

Devon Gardens Trust, 1999, Exevale Hospital (Devon County Asylum) (Un-published). SDV356232.

Built in 1842-5 as the Devon County Pauper Lunatic Asylum, the buildings were set in vast grounds, approached past formal lodges by a ceremonial avenue. There was a tall central block with a semicircular service range behind, from which six lower wings radiated, and between these were exercise yards and gardens, enclosed by perimeter walls with lodges (one NW lodge remains). The Asylum cemetery,with a very attractive lytch gate, is notable. Entrances lodges, avenue, chapel and associated areas of shrubbery appear intact, as well as a sports field which formed part of the asylum facilities.

Devon Gardens Trust, 2013, Devon Gazetteer of Parks and Gardens of Local Interest (Reg/Local list of Historic Parks and Gdns). SDV354335.

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

Map object based on this source.

Hegarty, C. + Knight, S. + Sims, R., 2014-2015, East and Mid Devon River Catchments National Mapping Programme Project (Interpretation). SDV356883.

The changing form of the gardens and designed landsape around Exvale hospital are visible on aerial photographs taken from 1946 onwards. Between the First and Second Edition OS maps, terraces were constructed to the south-west of the main radial building and aerial photographs show standard trees aligned along these terraces. North-east of the hospital too aerial evidence shows tree planting close to the burial ground; these are smaller and of uniform size and shape, and could be fruit trees. It is not clear whether these are associated with the hospital, maybe used to aid recovery, or part of the adjacent farm. The hospital building has now been converted to apartments. More detail is given in the Historic England report (page 142).

Sources / Further Reading

SDV336179	Cartographic: Ordnance Survey. 1880-1899. First Edition Ordnance 25 inch map. First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch Map. Map (Digital).
SDV352504	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1946. RAF/106G/UK/1412. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). RAF/106G/UK/1412 RP 3250-3251 13-APR-1946.
SDV354335	Reg/Local list of Historic Parks and Gdns: Devon Gardens Trust. 2013. Devon Gazetteer of Parks and Gardens of Local Interest. Historic Parks and Gardens - Register and Local List. Digital.
SDV355681	Cartographic: Ordnance Survey. 2014. MasterMap. Ordnance Survey Digital Mapping. Digital.
SDV356232	Un-published: Devon Gardens Trust. 1999. Exevale Hospital (Devon County Asylum). Devon Local Register of Parks and Gardens of Local Historic Interest. Digital.
SDV356883	Interpretation: Hegarty, C. + Knight, S. + Sims, R.. 2014-2015. East and Mid Devon River Catchments National Mapping Programme Project. AC Archaeology Report. Digital.
	Linked documents:1
SDV357102	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1960. RAF/58/3858/. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). RAF 58/3858/PSFO-0073 03-OCT-1960.
SDV359033	Aerial Photograph: National Monument Record. 1993. NMR 4822. National Monument Record Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR 4822/3 21-JUN-1993.

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV6530 - The East and Mid-Devon Rivers Catchment NMP project (Ref: ACD613)

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