Living Through the Ages

“An Englishman’s home is his castle”. Grand historic castles are not for everyone although Noel Coward’s “The Stately Homes of England” would say otherwise - a cosy cottage is a castle in it’s own right. The security of home. Fashion, culture and accessible raw materials have dictated the local vernacular and counties are defined by their architecture.  Devon is blessed with good heavy loam, a sub soil used for creating the cob buildings, for which the county is recognised, sitting cosily under thatch roofs. Maybe not all home grown these days - in the past the cornfields of the county provided an adequate supply. The industrial revolution brought the railways, easing the transport of stone and bricks to rural areas, and thus the eclectic village scene evolved. Traditional thatched cottages sit beside elegant, imposing Georgian facades. The Victorians tended to favour bricks as a building material - a more cost-effective material - brought by train from the brickfields of central England and so fashion moved ever onward until timber frame structures, clad with rendered elevations proved effective for the mass development of the twentieth century. 

The influence of television has created an unprecedented level of contemporary design make overs, fashionable “interior design” and a constant topic of conversation around dinner tables - the latest hi tech “Grand Designs” and inevitably - value – “what’s my house worth?” As with classic periods 21st century style will have a place in architectural history.

There is a constant cycle of change with young generations aspiring to acquire large country and townhouses, while age dictates economy and practicality are the key factors for homes through retirement. We are a far more transient population that our ancestors who mostly lived in the same area their whole lives.  Mobility and our old friend the internet enables moves previous generations would never have considered. 

As ever Devon can always accommodate most desires, from cottage to castle, town and country, village and waterside. 

Chilton Fold, a hamlet three miles from Crediton is a delightful Grade 2 listed cob and thatch cottage dating to the 16th century. In rural surroundings it has good family accommodation set in a country garden with useful garaging and buildings.  Strutt and Parker (01392 215631) are the agents.

Yennadon House, Dousland on the western edge of Dartmoor and convenient for access to Plymouth is a late Victorian family home with 6 bedrooms, accessed via a long private drive, standing in two acres of gardens and woodland with tennis court. Constructed of brick with attractive gothic windows to some rooms it is classic of its era and style. Jackson Stops are the agents (01392 214222).

How many people dream of living near the water? Knight Frank (01392 423111) have the ultimate dream – the rural-waterside lifestyle mix! A classic Georgian Rectory in South Pool -a favoured South Hams village with great pub! The period five bedroom accommodation sits in delightful landscaped gardens intersected by a stream, together with a four acre field. Perfect!

So, castle or cottage, to each their own: “it’s all about coming home”.

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