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Summary

The remains of a country mansion, now a farmhouse, the oldest part is dated 1657. The house was enlarged, rearranged and refurbished in the early 18th century. Another modernisation is dated 1836 and this is probably the time that the house was reduced to its present size.

Location

Protected Status

• Listed Building (II*) 1098151: LEYHILL

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: ST00SE/11
• Old Listed Building Ref (II*): 86840

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• MANSION HOUSE (Early Medieval to Post Medieval - 1066 AD to 1750 AD)

Full description

Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division, ST00SE2 (Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Card). SDV122962.

Site visit 27th November 1953. The oldest part appears to be west wing of the house. On the north face are mullioned windows of a local stone and a tablet recording the completion of the new building dated 1657 and which seems to refer to this western portion of the house. The south face has modern windows and a modern porch. The walls are roughcast, the east half of house is of brick with tall sash windows and seems of 18th century date. There are no visible traces of an external chapel except two pieces of curved stone which form the top of arched doorway to a stone building now a chicken house. Ley hill was La Hill in the 16th century, possibly meaning low hill.

Polwhele, R., 1793-1806, The History of Devonshire, 268 (Monograph). SDV21030.

A large old house with a good chapel though now much out of repair.

Lysons, D. & S., 1822, History and Antiquities of Devonshire, 223 (Monograph). SDV362461.

Willoughby of Leyhill settled here before 1600. It passed by marriage to Sir John Trevelyan. The mansion with a chapel was built by the Willoughbys but is now a farmhouse.

C. H. Sp. P., 1901903, Willoughby Arms, 220 (Article in Serial). SDV122966.

Ley hill was la hill in the 16th century, possibly meaning low hill.

Rose-Troup, F., 1918-1919, Feet of Fines, Devon, 266-267 (Article in Serial). SDV122967.

Leyhill is recorded in an early Devon fine of 1303.

Reichel, O. J., 1918-1919, Feet of Fines, Devon, 305 (Article in Serial). SDV122968.

Lawylhegen is probably the medieval form of Leyhill.

Hoskins, W. G., 1954, A New Survey of England: Devon, 451 (Monograph). SDV17562.

Department of Environment, 1959, Honiton Rural District, 35 (List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest). SDV340658.

Manor here in time of Henry III. Present house 16th century and later. L-shaped with evidence of a wing on the east side having been demolished. No good front door. External and internal features described in detail. Internal features include fine staircase with columns, fireplaces, first floor room with decorated plasterwork, panelled drawing room and cellar. House stands in field called Bowling Green Field and site of old green is visible some distance from house. Recorded in NBR.

Hunt, P. J., 1977, Leyhill, Payhembury (Ground Photograph). SDV359107.

Site visit by P. J. Hunt and S. Timms 1977. Repairs and alteration in hand. DoE list description of 1950 is accurate with features described still in situ. Landscaping in grounds just to south of house has revealed underground stone structures which may be early cellars. Not investigated further.

Tyers, C + Hurford, M. + Arnold, A. + Howard, R.E. + Thorp, J., 2009, Dendrochronological Research in Devon: Phase II, Table 1 (Report - Interim). SDV348234.

The farmhouse was assessed for dendrochronological analysis but not sampled.

Greener, C., 2013, Garden Women in Devon, 9 (Article in Serial). SDV358469.

Ordnance Survey, 2015, MasterMap (Cartographic). SDV357601.

Historic England, 2015, National Heritage List for England (National Heritage List for England). SDV358087.

Farmhouse, the remains of a country mansion. The oldest part is dated 1657, the house was enlarged, rearranged and refurbished in the early C18, another modernisation is dated 1836 and this is probably the time that the house was reduced to its present size. See website for full details.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events: none recorded

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