Pynes

A grand red brick mansion built around 1700 by Hugh Stafford, Devon’s C18 expert on apples.  Although altered, it is an excellent example of the double-pile house that became popular after the Restoration but is relatively rare in Devon.  There are formal terraced gardens south of the house, shown on an C18 survey by B. Langley, remodelled in 1852 with a fountain by Charles R. Smith.  In 1789 Rev. John Swete visited Pynes and wrote ‘this place within the last ten years has undergone very greatchanges and by the modern style of improvement has been shown off to wonderful advantage.  Its situation is of the most picturesque kind and the views which it commands of lawn sloping to the river Exe, fine windings of that river and woods andhigh hills on the opposite side, all harmonize.  The spot however from whence it is estseen is on the southern bank.’  White (1850) noted that it was ’a commodious brick mansion, in a small but well-wooded park, commanding picturesque views’ while Stockdale described it a ‘Situated in a richly wooded vale, is a spacious mansion having lately been much improved…… has with the surrounding scenery a very imposing aspect’.  Surviving features include the terraced gardens and parkland overgrown in places.  The forecourt entrance is flanked by large stone standing stags on rusticated piers, which could be pre-1851.

Pynes is listed Grade II*,SE terrace,wall and SW entrance piers to Pynes listed Grade II.