Hemerdon House

An estate plan diverting the road is dated 1795.  The house, built for James Woollcombe around the same time, was probably completed only gradually - see the irregular window levels on the two main fronts.  These are of five and seven bays,three storeys, rendered, each with a central pediment.   Stockdale noted that it was‘situated on the northern borders of the parish, is chiefly remarkable as commanding avariety of the most extensive prospects`. The pair of gateposts with ball finials and the lodge mark the entrance to Hemerdon House, and a gently curving carriage drive through the parkland leads to the house; this detailed composition was designed to impress. The parkland has a pond and numerous mature parkland trees.  The walled garden is situated some distance behind the house. The house has remained in the Woollcombe family since it was built.

Cherry & Pevsner: The Buildings of England – Devon, 1989: 756 T Gray: The Garden History of Devon, 1995: 124