Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust
CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
1.0
INTRODUCTION
2.0
METHODOLOGY
3.0
OUTLINE HISTORY
4.0
ANALYSIS
5.0
RESTORATION AND MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES
6.0
GENERAL PROPOSALS
7.0
AREA-BY-AREA PROPOSALS
APPENDICES
Appendix 1
References
Appendix 2
Listed Buildings Entries
Appendix 3
Artefact Schedule
Appendix 4
Estate Masterplan
FIGURES
1. Location plan
2. Early maps of Devon
3. Eighteenth century views of Cockington
4. Plan of the Parish of Cockington, 1801
5. Ordnance Survey maps
6. Proposed road alterations
7. Early nineteenth century views
8. Tithe Map of Cockington Parish, 1846
9. Mid nineteenth century views.
10. Ordnance Survey First Edition 25", 1864
11. Ordnance Survey First Edition 6", 1891
12. Ordnance Survey Second Edition 25" 1906
13. Ordnance Survey Third Edition 6", 1933
14. Comparison with historic views: The Court
15. Comparison with historic views: The Village
16. Comparison with historic views: The Village
17. Site Description Areas
18. Location of Artefacts
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Cockington
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Cockington is famous for the charm and character of its thatched and whitewashed Devon cottages,
archetypes of a rural idyll, featured on innumerable postcards and chocolate boxes. There is, of
course, far more to Cockington than these superficial images; a history derived from the family
histories of those who owned Cockington and the harder lives of those who lived and worked on the
estate, creating and transforming the landscape over many centuries. There is a considerable surviving
archive, albeit one with tantalising gaps. Descendants of its owners have carried out research and
recorded memories which also provide insights into the motivation of people who influenced the
development of the estate.
Cockington embodies the a story broadly typical of many West Country estates, with early links to the
mediaeval church, families rising to power and wealth during the Tudor period, followed by personal
disaster through allegiances during the Civil Wars. Consequent acquisition by the wealthy mercantile
class in the later seventeenth century is also not uncommon, and the descendants of the purchaser
continued to transform their estate in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
A designed landscape with deer park, ponds, orchards, and gardens survives as archaeology and as a
later modified landscape, but it is the probable continuity of the mediaeval landscape which may be of
greatest interest.
Public ownership in the Twentieth and Twenty-first centuries is also a common denouement to such
long histories, and Cockington is now owned by a Trust charged with its care. The Trust is actively
seeking to identify the surviving evidence for the historic landscape, and to manage the whole in order
to conserve it and to provide opportunities for increased public enjoyment and understanding of the
historic estate, to which there is extensive access.
The proposals in this report cover a wide range of conservation, restoration and management issues,
including:
•
reducing the impact of traffic on the village;
•
restoration of the designed historic landscape around the Court;
•
reinstatement of traditional management to the parkland, meadows, pastures, orchards
and hedgerows which, together, make up the Country Park;
•
improving public appreciation and interpretation of the historic estate;
•
conservation of the historic character of the village.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
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We are pleased to acknowledge the assistance of the staff of the National Register of Archives,
National Monuments Record, the RIBA Library, Devon Record Office, Westcountry Studies Library,
West Devon Record Office, Devon and Exeter Institution and Torquay Local Studies Library. Hal
Bishop of Torbay Council, Susan Trebilco and Dominic Acland provided considerable help, and this
report has been drafted in consultation with the Trustees of Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust and
the Cockington Advisory Board.
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1.0
INTRODUCTION
1.1
The Study Area
Cockington lies in a fertile, sheltered valley just inland from the coast of Torbay. Outer parts
of the historic estate have developed into the predominantly residential areas of Chelston,
Shiphay, Livermead and Preston, between Torquay and Paignton. Cockington is sandwiched
between these developed areas, and comprises a green wedge of agricultural land reaching
almost to the coast. It is readily accessible to residents and tourists visiting Torbay. The
Study Area includes Cockington Court and its grounds, the village, the surrounding fields and
woodlands, and an extended area of agricultural tenancy to the north west which, together,
form the core of the historic estate.
1.2
Purpose of the Report
The report seeks to outline the history of the site, to explain the processes by which the
historic landscape developed to its present configuration, and to propose ways in which its
importance and value for the purposes of conservation, education and enjoyment could best
be recognised, managed and enhanced. Preparation of the report has been funded largely by
grant aid from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The purpose of this report is to provide proposals for the restoration and management of this
historic landscape of Cockington for the Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust.
These
proposals will provide the basis for an approach to the Heritage Lottery Fund by the Trust for
a further grant towards a conservation and management works which would benefit the Court,
its grounds, the village and wider historic landscape, and the people who use and enjoy the
landscape.
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2.0
METHODOLOGY
2.1
Documentary Survey
Documentary evidence held by the National Register of Archives, National Monuments
Record, West Devon Record Office, West Country Studies Library, Devon and Exeter
Institution, National Monuments Record, Devon County Sites and Monuments Register
Torquay Local Studies Library, the RHS Lindley Library, RIBA Library, was reviewed. This
included maps, photographs, pictures, manuscripts and published documents.
The Cary
archives remain in need of cataloguing in order to derive full benefit from the earlier records.
From the resulting information an outline history was produced, guiding analysis of the
development of the estate over the last two thousand years.
2.2
Site Survey and Analysis
The site survey was undertaken based on, and utilising:
i.
Ordnance Survey plans
ii.
estate records
iii.
wildlife and habitat data
iv.
sites and monuments and listed building records
The aims of the survey were:
i.
to identify landscape features, including driveways, footpaths, boundaries,
and artefacts; all artefacts were photographed and included in the Artefact
Schedule (appendix 3);
ii.
to record the location of the principal views, circulation routes, formal
avenues and derelict features, such as the sites of structures marked on early
plans;
iii.
to establish the sequence of development within the study area, utilising tree
girth measurements, and to establish the approximate age of the features and
boundaries;
iv
to identify areas of important wildlife habitat and biodiversity;
v.
to identify the restoration measures required to preserve the key historic
features;
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vi.
to identify constraints to, and opportunities for, management proposals.
The tree age estimates were based on girth measurements and assumptions on historic
growing conditions, that is, the extent of competition with other trees. Some of the
estimates are made with a degree of confidence, whilst others require wide margins of error.
Some of the trees, for example may be considerably older than estimated as they may have
competed with adjacent trees, now lost, earlier in their lives.
Site survey was carried out using the topographic survey of the gardens and the Ordnance
Survey first edition 25" map base, on which extant features were recorded, enabling
comparison with earlier maps and identification of surviving landscape elements and
phasing. This has informed the proposals by guiding the identification and survival of the
last complete phase of the designed landscape as well as relicts of earlier outstanding
features which justify further investigation and appropriate restoration, leading to proposals
for the conservation of the landscape as a whole, its better understanding and enjoyment.
The extent of the site survey was limited by Foot and Mouth disease restrictions.
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3.0
OUTLINE HISTORY
Early History
Although the good soil and proximity to the sea and its riches may well have attracted
early communities to Cockington, the archaeological record is sparse. However the field
name Castle Park and Castle Lane suggest the presence of an early earthwork enclosure
and finds of stone tools nearby indicate a prehistoric presence (1).
1086
Cochintona is the name of the manor given in the Domesday Book. Its meaning has been
interpreted as the enclosure or homestead of Cocca’s people
(2),
or to refer to the red,
coch, soil. The name implies a settlement dating at least to the Saxon period.
William holds Cockington himself. Alric held it before 1066. It paid tax for 3 hides. Land
for 13 ploughs. In lordship 5 ploughs; 14 slaves; 1 hide. 18 villagers and 6 small holders
with 7 ploughs and two hides. Meadow, 25 acres; pasture, 50 acres; woodland, 50 acres.
1cob; 8 cattle; 159 sheep; 42 goats.
Value formerly and now 50s.
Of this land Alric held 1 virgate of land in Dewdon. It paid tax for as much. Value
formerly and now 10s. This land has been added to the above and William holds it as one
manor. (3)
William de Falaise was one of the major recipients of land in Devon after the Norman
Conquest. In 1089 the barony of Dartington passed from William to his stepson Robert
Fitzmartin (d 1158)(4,5).
1113-5
Robert Fitzmartin endowed St Dogmael’s Abbey with several churches and the Capella
de Kokintone
(6).
This appears to be the earliest reference to the chapel. It has been
suggested that there was a Saxon church and that the Norman church, or chapel, was
constructed using Norse measurements
(7).
According to the statutory listing the tower of
the church of St George and St Mary at Cockington dates to the thirteenth century, the
rest is mainly fourteenth and fifteenth century, much “restored” in the nineteenth century
(8).
The massively built tower contains a first floor room with fireplace and latrine,
considered possibly to have been an anchorite cell, or the room for the priest who serves
the morrow mass (9).
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1125
Robert Fitzmartin gave Cockington to his son, Roger who became known as Roger de
Cockington
(4).
He excluded the chapel and two ferthings of sanctuary land, which had
been given to the Abbey and Convent of St Dogmael, Pembrokeshire (9).
1199
Rogerus de Cokinton was fined
(10).
In 1203 the chapel of Kokynton is recorded as being
ceded to the Abbot of Torre (6), and it remained a chapel of ease under the parish church
of Torre until 1882, when it became a parish church in its own right
(6).
Barker has
suggested that the ponds at Cockington were originally monastic fishponds of the twelfth
century (11).
1214
Alicia de Cokinton, late the wife of Roger de Cokinton made a dower claim for land in
Cockington; Roger, the son of the said Roger deceased, was at the time an infant in the
custody of Wm fils Martin (10).
1242
Rogerus de Cokinton held lands in Cockington of Nicholas Fitzmartin of Dartington
In 1266 Protection for Henry de Kocinton is mentioned
(10)
(10).
and in 1285 Roger de
Cokington held Cokington for one fee of William Martin, and by William Martin of the
King and in 1286 Roger de Cokinton holds 11/6 fee in Cokinton of Nicholas son of Martin
of his Honour of Dertinton (12); the following year he was summoned to fight against the
Welsh (10).
1295
Lucy, daughter of Roger de Cockington was baptised (10), she is considered to be the Lucy
who married Walter de Wodeland, the future owner of the estate
(13).
Between 1303 and
1
1307 Roger de Kokyngton held Cockington for 1 /6 fee (12) and between 1304 and 1307 he
represented Devon in parliament (10).
1316
At about this time Roger de Cockington, knight, died, his son James inherited Cockington
(14).
Between 1324 and 1326 James de Cokyngton was recorded as a man at arms,
appointed sheriff and governor of Exeter Castle. In 1327 Sir James de Kokinton was
appointed Keeper of the Port of Dartmouth and references to his appointments continue
through the 1330s and 1340s (10).
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Between 1330 and 1345 there is reference to Henry and William de Cokyntone and
confirmation of the grant of water from Sherwell Brook to Torre Abbey; Seymour has
suggested that the extension of the north aisle of Cockington Church was built as a
chantry for William de Cokyntone
1346-9
(6).
James de Cokynton is recorded holding land in Cockington in the Honour of Dartington,
late of Roger de Cockington (12), he had a son John, who died childless between 1336 and
1351 leaving James without a male heir
(13).
Devon Fines show the gift of Cockington by
James to Walter de Wodeland; although it is not entirely clear, it is thought that de
Wodeland had married James’s sister Lucy and that James had thus acknowledged de
Wodeland as his heir; Cockington was leased back to James for life, at the yearly rent of a
red rose (13). James died in about 1349 and his brother-in-law Sir Walter de Wodeland, an
Usher of the Chamber to the Black Prince, received the Manor of Cockington in 1351 (14).
1352
Free Warren and the right to a market and fair on Monday was granted to the lord of the
manor of Cockington (15).
1374
John Cary (1337-1395), who became Lord Baron of the Exchequer, acquired Cockington
from the widow of Walter Wodeland
(16).
He had been appointed to consider coastal
defences against a possible invasion, and may have encountered Cockington in the course
of this work.
1386
Tor and Cockington, as part of the Honour of Dartington, were committed by the crown
to John de Holand on the death of James, Lord Audley, who had inherited from his
Fitzmartin mother (10; 13). The year after Sir John Cary was attainted for his support of the
deposed King and forfeited his estate… lands in…Cockyngton were formerly held by
John de Cary and Thomas de Cary and were taken into the hands of Richard II by reason
of a judgement against John de Cary in Parliament (17).
1388
The forfeited lands, including Cokyngton, were given to John de Holand. earl of
Huntingdon, who was also re-granted the Manor of Dartington, which likewise had been
initially committed to him in 1386
1395
(10).
Sir John Cary died in Ireland, still in exile (18). All his goods which had not been forfeited
were granted to his widow Margaret and son Robert (10).
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1400
Following the execution of John Holand, letters patent granted the forfeited lands to
Robert Chalouns (17).
1418
Sir John’s eldest son Robert Cary petitioned unsuccessfully for the return of his father’s
estate including Kokyngton in 1402; the lands were eventually restored to him by Henry
IV in 1418 (19).
1430
Robert was succeeded by his son Philip.
1436-7
Court Leet records include fines for the depasturing of cattle in the Lord’s meadow and
hogs in the Lord’s garden, and the taking away of boughs from the Lord’s wood without
licence (20). Philip Cary died in 1437, and his son William (1437-1471) succeeded him as
a minor
(21).
It appears that his mother, Cristina Cary, née Orchard, retained control of
Cockington, as many of the estate records continue to refer to the lady’s property and
activities (22), or it may have been hers for life by dower.
She took over the running of the estate with the help of a bailiff and, apparently, her
brother, as in 1437 accounts included an item for 34 men employed making a hedge and
ditch round the lady’s wood, by order of Richard Orchard (22).
1439/40
An account roll for the estate shows that the Carys used Cockington as a summer
residence at this time, spending their winter’s at Orchard, Cristina’s family property in
Somerset (23).
Close studies of this document have revealed that Cockington included a hall, probably a
great hall open to the roof, a chamber block probably under the same roof, a detached
kitchen, a gatehouse and a stable
(23).
A building called le abbay is also mentioned,
possibly the chapel which belonged to the abbot of St Dogmaels. Activities recorded
include quarrying, cider making and fishing; the quarry rent being 12d suggests a small
operation (23), the cider and fishing being apparently larger.
The names Langegardyn and Southgardyn are taken to refer to orchards, as they certainly
held apple and fruit trees; and the fact that the Cary’s kept their orchards in hand after the
rest of the demesne had been leased is thought to indicate pride in the orchards and their
product
(23).
The Pound House was clearly well-used by the owner and its use by tenants
was permitted when not fully in use.
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It is clear that as well as collecting rents and dues from tenants' fishing, including a Seine
fishery, the owner’s own fishing was another benefit, with salting being recorded (23). The
boat at Livermead was given new oars and ropes in this year, nets were replaced and
mended, and it seems the Seining was a joint venture between lord of the manor and
tenantry (23).
Items in the accounts included 10s received from John fflour for the lease of a water mill
which he newly built, with full repairing and maintenance at his own expense. The
Langemede was cut for hay and its bank was made; the Langegardyn and Southgardyn
were cut for hay; there was no income from pasture of wood, or pannage of pigs
…because there were no acorns; no cider was sold or rent received for the press; 40s was
received from the sale of wood; 5s received from treasure trove of a noble. Expenditure
included payment of one pound of pepper… to the lord of Dertyngton for chief rent, 18d,
thatching on the lord’s house, the stable and le abbay; hedging and banking; purchase of
salt at Dartmouth and a new fishing net; Hire of men to hedge around the lord’s garden,
2s; Hire of one man to mow the lord’s hay there in the garden, 8d. Turning over the same
hay, collecting it up, stacking it in the field and carrying it to the house, 16d; Hire of one
roofer and his servant roofing on the hall, chamber, gate-house and kitchen, together
with lime, nails and laths brought for the same…17s; Collecting apples and fruit in the
gardens, by piece work, 6s (24).
Also from 1440, there is reference in bailiff’s accounts to Higher Garden, at the North
part of the Lady’s Court, Middle Garden or Grutte [Great] garden, to the South of the
Court, and the Lower Garden (25).
1444/5
The chapel of Cockington is recorded
belonging to the abbot and convent of the
Benedictine monastery of St Mary the Virgin and St Dogmael.
(10).
This points to a
continuing link with the Fitzmartin holdings, which included extensive lands in South
Wales.
1449
The orchards were partly replanted (24).
1461
Accounts showed a lock for the large new gate of the lady’s wood, 8s
(22);
and no return
from the Lower Garden because it is assigned for the horses of the steward, bailiff and
other officers of the lady arriving there this summer
(22).
This suggests that the summer
use of Cockington Court continued, as Fox suggests it had in the 1440s. Cider making
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also continued, with payments for picking apples, working the press and watching it;
eight pipes being made in this year, and the press being let to others as well as making it
for the Court (22).
1463-4
reaping, storage and carriage of half an acre of meadows in Longmead for the use of the
lady when there, 2s 6d (22).
1469
The Abbey and Convent of Torre secured the chapel of Cockington by payment to St
Dogmael’s Abbey, and continued to hold it until the Dissolution (4).
1471
A supporter of the Red Rose, William Cary was beheaded after the Battle of Tewkesbury
and attainted, the Cockington estate was again confiscated and granted to Sir Thomas
Bourchier (6).
1485
The estate was recovered from the new monarch by Robert Cary (1457-1540),William’s
son by his first wife Elizabeth Paulet. He had lived at Clovelly during the attainder and
continued to use it as his main residence (26).
1490
Robert Cary, a pilgrim to Compostella, remodelled the church, or chapel of ease, at
Cockington (27). Cockington chapel is recorded in the reign of Henry VIII as Torre Mohun
cum capella de Cokyngton (28).
1530
A bailiff’s account of 1530 mentions the field name Castle Park, possibly an indication of
an earlier earthwork enclosure here (1).
1539
Torre Abbey and the chapel at Cockington were surrendered to the King during the
Dissolution.
1540
Robert Cary left Cockington to his second son by Jane Carew, Thomas (1505-1567), who
became a prominent statesman during the reign of Elizabeth I (29).
1560-1
The lands of the Rectory and church of Torremoham and the chapel of Cokkyngton were
granted to Thomas’s son George Cary for 21 years (30).
1567
Thomas was succeeded by George (1541-1617). After an early career setting up defences
against the Armada and dealing with Spanish prisoners at Torre Barn, George Cary
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became an eminent statesman and Lord Deputy of Ireland. He amassed a considerable
fortune and extended his estates, including the purchase of Stantor, adjacent to
Cockington and contributed to funding for the settlement of Virginia (31).
In this year the manor of Cokynton and Shylston alias Chylston were described as
containing 50 messuages, 20 tofts, 1 windmill, 2 watermills, 1 dovehouse, 50 gardens,
1,500 acres of land, 80a meadow, 300a pasture, 160a wood, 40a furze and heath
1572/3
(32).
Letters patent granted the Rectory and church of Torremoham and the chapel of
Cokkyngton…withal the rights and members formerly of the dissolved monastery of Torre
and all messuages, buildings, stables, dovecotes, gardens .. (marshland and trees only
being excepted) for the life of George Carye Junior (33), and was granted again to George
senior in 1606 (30).
George Cary junior (1562-1599) was a soldier and was killed in Ireland, leaving his father
with no male heir (34).
1575
Saxton’s map of Devon marks Cockington (figure 2).
1577
A date stone of 1577 survives on the south-west wing of the Court, in commemoration of
the completion of the rebuilding (8).
1585
Sir George Cary requested of Lord Walsingham a warrant for a buck from Odiham Park
(35),
1588
but its destination is unclear.
The Court Leet records that George Bennett lopped two elms in the Lord’s fence at
Loxbery…Grace Collyns had pollarded five elms growing in her fence at Churcheway…
Otho Rendell lopped an elm in his fence at Cossome and Christopher Olver pollarded an
ash tree growing upon the Lord’s land at Cockington Wood-head (36).
1607
A description of the holdings of George Cary, Knight, in the manors of Cockington,
Chilston and North Lewe included 90 messuages, 4 mills, 2 dove houses, 100 gardens,
1000a land, 100a meadow, 70a pasture, 120a wood, 1000a furze and heath (37).
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1609
Sir George Cary founded seven almshouses for the poor, to the north of the Court, each
with a distinct little herb garden enclosed with a wall
(38),
an annuity was paid from the
Cockington and Chelston Manors for the almshouse occupants (39).
1615
An apprentice blacksmith or striker, Anthony Hopping, is recorded at Cockington,
working at the Forge with Davey the smith; in 1691 a man of the same name had lately
owned a schopp and dwelling house and close of land called Nussery
(40).
The Daveys
were still the smiths, living at Rose Cottage, in the nineteenth century (see 1931).
1617
Sir George Cary died and left his estate to his brother John, and on his death to his
nephew George, who inherited in 1622 (41).
1625
Records of the Courts Leet and Barony of Cockington between this year and 1677 include
many presentments for failure to repair ditches
(42)
and Abraham ?Turner was also
brought for failure to keep a pool in repair (43). The Lord of the Manor also had the right to
prove probate and wills for those dying in the Manor of Cockington which was a valuable
right. The goods and chattels, often including fishing equipment such as William Adams’
newe Pilchard nette, provide glimpses of life on the Cockington estate and of its
community (44).
1634
A marriage settlement agreed by George Cary of Cockington, esquire on the marriage of
his son Henry to Amy Saltram included Moiety of the capital messuage, capital barton
and demesne lands of Cockington and Chilston and the parsonages and rectories of
Tormoham and Cockington, worth £400 per annum (45).
1640
A Bargain and Sale between George Cary of Cockington and Henry Cary of Cockington
included The Mannor, barton and demesne lands of Cockington and Chilston, the Rectory
and Parsonage of Cockington and Tormoham (46).
1641
A lease refers to ½ of a dwelling house in Cockington called the Church house and a plot
of ground or herbegarden adjoining
(47).
The site of the Church House is thought to lie
under the Drum Inn gardens.
1643
George was succeeded his son by Henry (1613-1665). In true Cary style, he gallantly
backed the losing side in the Civil War, being knighted by Charles I at Crediton in 1644,
defending Kingswear until surrender in 1646 and seeing Cockington yet again
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sequestered
(48).
He was pardoned in 1647 but fined £1,985, about a tenth of the value of
his estate. In the face of mounting financial problems, Sir Henry Carie of Cockington,
Knight, mortgaged the Manors of Cockington and Stockland, Dorset for £4,500 to Henry
Staplie and Malachi Dudeny of London
(49).
In this year he was also one party in a
conveyance of free fishery in the Dart and free fishing in the Deep Sea against Paignton
in Torbay to Staply and Dudeny (50).
1652
The Manor of Cockington and the Mansion House, Barton and demesne lands in
Cockington with all appurtenances, reversions etc were leased for 99 years by Staply and
Dudeny to Robert Cary of Cockington and William Parker of London, and in the third
part, Sir William Waller of Winchester Castle and Henry Cary of Cockington (51).
1654
The Manors of Cockington, Chilston and Stantor, as described in a recovery between
Dudeny, Cary and others, included 60 messuages, 10 tofts, 4 mills, 1 dovehouse, 110
gardens, 1660a of land, 160a of meadow, 340a of pasture, 36a wood, 330a of furze and
heath, as well as rents and the rectory of Tormoham and Cockington
(52).
another document of this date, gives 56 gardens and 56 orchards
A deed in poor
(38).
Pike, citing
condition and partly illegible, describes the leases and copyholds of Cockington and
Stantor including dwelling and field names, but has no accompanying plan to show exact
locations
(53).
Houses are often simply referred to as dwelling house, or cottage, but
Greenwaies Barton and Church House are named. Various mills are listed the George
Pitts held the Customary Mills, two Mills and a treble Mill; John Barnes held one
tenement and a mill called ffulfords Mill; Richard Bickford held a tuckingmill and divers
quillots [small pieces of land?]. The tithing barne and a poundhouse are also mentioned
and a bakehouse. Anthony Hopping appears again, holding a close, cottage and one close
containing half an acre. Elizabeth Mathew held a farm house, cottage and Barn. There are
also various gardens, landyards, orchards, a willow bed, a plot of waste.
Many field names are given, some were jointly held. On the Cockington manor Portaway,
Seaway, Archers, Longmeade, Higher Seaway, Lower Seawaies, Loxpark, fforemeade,
Woodpk, Hennipen, Hollocombe and Pittpark, Pullens Close, Coprvane[?], Bowehay and
Hortacorne, Lappercombeclose, Watercombe, Coateyeate.
A schedule at the end of the deed lists what appears to be the land of the capital
messuage:
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Capital messuage… office Stables Barns Shippins poundhouse ffishponds [-] gardens
and courts 10 acres
Little Park 0.6a
The Clapper[?] with the Pigeonhouse therin and Aish beads [ash beds?] 0.2a
The Ladie Park 0.7a
Castle Park 0.6a
?
Barton 0.13a
Dewe Park 0.7a
Scadson --- 0.46a
The M------- [Mowhay?]0.120a
Hellinghay with the fishponds therin 0.7a
The Lower Meadow 0.4
The great meadow 0.41/2[4½] a
The higher Meadow 0.11/2 [1½] a
The hophaie and little part of a meadow adjoining 0.1a
Watercombe meadow --a
Combepk 0.6a
Oak Barton 0.24a
Cowbarton 0.16a
Cockington Wood 0.90a
The C—pke 0.36a
The greate Barton 0.20a
The Lowe Barton 0.20a
The ffurze Barton or Cherry barton 0.12a
----- pk 0.7a
The northern oakbarton 0.13a
Sir Henry Cary had given up his attempts to keep Cockington and, with his wife Mary,
was arranging to sell the Manors of Cockington, Chilston and Stauntor alias Stantor with
all rights and appurtenances to Roger Mallacke of Hevytree, Esq. for £10,300 (54). It may
be that the deed detailed above is connected with the sale. Roger Mallock, an Exeter
goldsmith, also paid Sir William Waller’s interest in the property off with £5,100 (55).
1655
A further indication of the depth and complexity of the Cary debts is given by an
Acquittance in the Exchequer in which John Sotherton and Nathaniel Riche paid £70 for
the farme of the Manor of Cockington with the Capital messuage and barton there and all
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the other estates of George Cary seized into the hands of the Crown in the reign of James
I by reason of George Cary’s indebtedness to the King in £3000… (56).
1657
An inventory of contents was taken, though in very poor condition, it includes reference
to apples and pairis…hopps, apple trees…haircloth in malthouse, possibly the horsehair
cloth used in cider making (57).
1658
Sir Henry Cary now of St Malloe, France was still sorting out his finances, being released
from debts on the estate
(58).
In this year also the Court of the Manor learnt Cockington
Mill’s higher mill poole to bee in decaye for wante of riddinge and cleansinge the same,
by means whereof the walter[water] doth overflowe the same (59).
1659
A survey records 37 houses and the Court in Cockington and one mill (38). In this year the
Warren, containing 60 acres, was let to Peter Parnell and his son Thomas the tenants were
to have furses and connyes and to leave the walls and fences in their then state of repair
(59).
1673
Furze was commonly used as fuel for bread ovens.
Extensive remodelling of the Court was undertaken by Roger’s son Rawlin Mallock I
(1648-1691). The centre block was rebuilt, the mediaeval kitchen encased to create a
north wing matching the south wing, the three-storey building faced onto a walled
courtyard with a large gateway (38). The new wing bears the date 1673 and the initials RM.
1674
The Hearth Tax records Cockington Rawlin Malleck esq 21, a sizeable residence (60).
1675
Roger Mallock died and was succeeded by his son Rawlin (I).
1676
A settlement at the time of the marriage of Rawlin Mallock to Elizabeth Collens, daughter
of John Collens of Chute Lodge, Wiltshire, included the manors and Lordships of
Cockington, Chilston and Stantor and all that meadow called the Great Meadow in
Cockington (61).
1680
At about this time lease was granted at Cockington alias Flowers’ Mills including a
Smythes schopp, part of a tenement called 8 acre and a close called the Nussery (62).
1687
Rawlin Mallock was party to a lease of 4 closes called The Little Close (or plott of
ground by the Northgarden) The Great Markham, The Great Close[-] South and
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Loxberry, all together containing 15 acres; house with appurtenances, viz the Kitchinge
and 2 chambers over the same, the Long Roome within the Kitchinge now divided into 3
little Roomes, the little stable adjoyning to the said Kitchinge on the forepart and Wester
end of the Barne together with the orcharde adjoining unto and lying behind the said
barne and called the Northern Orcharde (63).
1688
Rawlin Mallock I was one of a group of gentry who welcomed William of Orange on his
landing at Brixham (64).
1691
In this year Rawlin Mallock died in 1691 and was succeeded by his son Rawlin (II)
(1681-1700). A survey records a dwellinghouse called the Marry, and herbgarden and
orchard…a close of land called the Nussery…a Dwellinghouse, orchard and 2 parcells of
land called the Parcke … (65).
1696-7
A hoard of worn and clipped silver coins of this date were found in a ploughed field near
Cockington in 1981 (1).
1699
Prince, writing at about this time, described Cockington Court-house; an antient but
pleasant seat… As for the manor of Cockington, that became the purchase of Mr Mallack,
a rich merchant of the city of Exon, whose son Rawlin Mallack Esq., sometime justice of
the peace for this county, and a member of parliament, new builded the house, enclosed
the park, wall’d round a warren and large gardens, fitted up the ponds, and made it as
gentile and commodious a dwelling as most in the county (Prince, 185). He described the
almshouses as having a ground-room, and a chamber over, with a little distinct
herbgarden enclosed with a stone wall
(66).
Prince commented that the heir, another
Rawlin, a son by a second marriage, was now residing at Cockington House aged near
eighteen
(66).
However, he died a minor
(64)
and was succeeded by his cousin also Rawlin
Mallock (III) (1666-1749). Rawlin III was a patron of the Turf, and the owner of a
racehorse stable, with a stud on Dartmoor, and reputedly involved in smuggling with
Cary of Torre Abbey; he sold off many of the sixteen livings he had inherited in order to
pay his debts, some of which were also inherited and others accrued (64).
1734
Joachim Gilbert was paid for making of A pump of seaventy on foot At twelve pence per
foot £3 11s. This well being fifty six foot deep the pump is seaven foot Above ground and
three g---- four foot And half, three noses of three foot and a half (67).
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Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust
1735
Rawlin Mallock had a bill from Joan Gardner for 500 cabbage plants, onion seed, carrot
seed, and Lick seed
(68),
and from T Goad for man and 2 horses to carry clay…47
hogsheads and half of lime (69).
1736
A lease between Mallock and Philip Michelmore on part of Cockington Barton instructs
the planting of Hemp, flax or rapeseed… application of 200 loads of well rotted dung on
the meadows… which must not be cut more than twice a year… fallow or clover to follow
Barley and Oats (70).
1737-8
William Humphry was at work putting up pales in ye old warring…taking down hollow
trees…fixing ye hollow tree to ye Stamp…in the Cherry Garden…Mending ye Great
Gate…making the Lantron… pales against the hous ground…about the flood hatch… in
ye wood making a windlis[windlass]… pales in the warring…fixing the Coller of the
pound…mending door in ye little warring…mending cheeswring… making a
Butt…making a thing to powder wigs upon…fixing of the apple chamber… fixing of the
pump…mend the Roller…Repair door in Pleasure Garden… Dung pots and Derns
[doorframes] to Rosemary garden (71).
1738
A right to tithes gives a picture of the productive land of the Mallock estate. They
included all corne and graine, Pease, beans, grass, seeds of grass, flax, hemp and seed
thereof, lambs Wooll, calves, calves reared, colts reared, young swine, hoggs, cyder,
apples, cowes milk, ewes milk, geese and feathered fowles, Pigions eggs, sea fish,
honywax of Bees, hopps, Roots of all kinds and coppice etc., payable out of Robert Ball’s
tenement, a meadow called the Abbey meadow, Bickford’s tenement, Stephen’s Tenement
and Loxbery (72).
1746
Rawlin Mallock became adminstrator of the goods of his late daughter Margaret
Champernowne, widow of John Champernowne, a younger son of Dartington Hall,
during the minorities of her children Margaret, Rawlin, Ann and Henry
(73).
In 1766 the
son Rawlin Champernowne (1725-1774) succeeded his uncle and was the last of the male
line of Champernowne to inherit Dartington Hall (74).
1747
In September John Jarman, mason, was commissioned by Rawlin Mallock junior, to build
a stone wall eight feet high in the great warren in Cockington parish at ten pence per
perch… to be finished by Xmas next and… to put cobb on the dry wall from Toby’s house
down to the next pond and from that pond upwards against Chinkey well as it shall be
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Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust
marked out at the beginning of the work…and the cobb is to be eighteen inches high on
one side and a foot high on the other side
(75).
The wall at the head in the warren near
Toby’s house is eight yards and 14 feet long including two feet for the end of the wall and
eight feet and half high which makes 75 perch and a qtr. The two walls measure 30 yards
long & 18 inches high on one side and 12 inches high on the other side which makes
…112p & 3y (76). Jarman was also to receive money to buy cyder etc.
In November he was Footing the wall in the Folly court
(77).
A receipt for work done on
walls between October and December 1747 was issued in January 1748. This would
appear to be a deer park wall, interestingly Mallock’s nephew by marriage Arthur
Champernowne of Dartington Hall had commissioned a new stone deer park wall a
decade earlier (74).
There are several account books for the middle years of the eighteenth century, which
shed light on the management of the estate, its crops, woodlands and garden, and on
building works and repairs. John Allen was cutting trees for pidgeon court..about the
pales on the backside warren…making a frame for the warren and mending the Door and
window in the garden
(78).
John Allen agreed to pale out the two sides and Lower end of
the Lower pond at hellinghay at 2s 6d p yarde. The pales to be three feet and half high
and two inches and a quarter in the clear. That summer he was also making the mouse
traps for the plumb garden…about the pales…mend hutches in warren and warren and
other gates. (79).
In December he was at Wenberry [Wembury?] abt the sale of the Deer
(80).
Widecomb
was to reed half of the Gateshead 9d (81).
1749
Rawlin Mallock III died and his son Rawlin IV (1708-1779) inherited Cockington. From
1748 to 1750 John Adams billed the estate for carpentry, including stopping windows and
rayling pales in Warren near the Barn … squaring posses[posts] in Coppice and putting
them in Oak barton, Cow barton and other places… Timbering little house in little
warren …at ye warren about the gate Sticklepath head… about the Soles [ploughs] and
wheelbarrows … About the cribs in Linney above the Church (82).
In the same period, Widdecomb’s maid began to work in ye garden; Sarah Light was
employed in the garden and on the land weeding, raking hay, gardening and
courts…driving out mud from pond
Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust
Coc. 802
(83)
20
and weeding horse beans oakbarton… peeking
NICHOLAS PEARSON ASSOCIATES
Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust
apples…weeding plumb garden… carrying cyder… peeking chasnuts… at pound
house…breaking apples…peeking stones and drawing turneps in warren…leafing pease
(84)…
cleaning the green court…Dartington with cobs/colts…in the vineyard…carry
water to the kiln…weeding warren…
chasnut wood…rinding trees
(86).
(85).
Widdecomb himself and his horse were rolling
There was also work, mending seat before the stable
and about the Foxhouse in warren…mend slide…mend doors to little house in garden (87).
Richard Hole, Hellier [slater], was repairing wall and helring stable in Warren (88).
The Taprel family all worked on the estate and their account for 1749 to 1750 reveals the
hard work of the labourer’s annual round
(89).
Among their tasks Elizabeth, the mother,
was picking stones and snails, weeding garden and in the fields, washing bottles, working
in the vineyard
and was clotting in Tackfield and warren…binding beans…
milking…drawing turneps and setting them…gathering and washing potatoes and leafing
pease…carrying cyder to Will in the warren…looking after the turkeys …keeping birds in
warren.
Thomas, the father, was driving mud… plowing harrowing…driving horses…at the fore
yard….pound house… driving dung…keeping birds…driving sheep to Dartington
…keeping sheep shorten….
The Taprel Boys were driving furse, driving mud, dung, hay,..plow, stones…cleaning
courts and pease barn carrying dung and pease helms.
Taprel Daughter was at warren; carrying stone; watching pease; housing wheat, driving
wheat, housing barley, harvest, keeping fowles, boyling furnace, carrying mud..driving
horses at Foryard [the horse engine?] peeking apples…boiling the Dogs furnace..keeping
the Door…keeping the gate…sweeping the courts…handling hoard apples and cyder
apples…carrying water to masons in warren.
John Gaskin was ridding gutters in the meadows in November, gardening…threshing
pease and beans, hulking apples, binding wood and furse in Clapper orchard and
Linney…Railing for the Deer…freathing for Deers… freathing warren wall against
preston ground…digging earth for mason…rooting French nut trees [walnuts]… about
the apple trees
(90).
As well as payment in cash the workers on the estate received
payment in beef, mutton, wheat, shoes and other comestibles (86).
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Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust
1750
William Humphry was sawing Lintern and putting the up in Blue Room, possibly the
blue room of the pleasure house. He was also making a Skrew and Wharrow for the
pound…doors
to
Cherry
garden…mending
derns
[doorframes]
for
Cherry
garden…mending stair in apple chamber (91).
1751
Humphry was mending door of pleasure garden and working on the new stable(91).
Elsewhere, slat, stones carried to Cockington almshouses upon esqr Mallaks account and
in all six thousand and half in seven shillings a thousand £2 5s 6d
(92).
Also this year
Rawlin Mallock and John Floud of Exeter made an agreement on the catching and selling
of rabbits from Cockington, presumably from the Warren. This led to controversy over
the number supplied and their condition…some being green as opposed to sweet, and
some being charged for but not delivered (93).
1753
It appears that Rawlin Mallock IV was considering raising funds. A letter of his to a Mr
Walker extols the virtues of Cockington There is a very good ancient Built house fitt for
any gentleman on the Barton of Cockington. Also on ye same a wood of 30 acres well
stored with a great number of oak Trees and the more valuable because but a mile from
the Sea.
The Deer park in the barton of Cockington consists of 100 acres, it is stocked with 120
Deer which may be purchased with the Estates. Also there are 7 fishponds well stocked
with Carp and Trout. There is a Rabbet Warren on this Barton with walls all round for
the space of 2 miles wch wall cost about 200£ and there is a Pleasure house on the Top of
the warren that has a fine prospect of Sea and Land and particularly of all Torbay only at
a mile distance… and the privilege of proving all wills of the tenants of Cockington, a
large Royalty for wrecks, and a most beneficial income from the tythe of fish. The whole
Estate all together esteemed as compleat an estate as most in England (94).
1754-5
Accounts include payments for Torkey for Currant stocks…many days spent freathing for
Deers…keeping the bullocks from the apple trees and hay… letting up and ridding out of
furze…Planting trees in rickyard and Far Pond Warren…hurdle making…making pits
and planting vines…making cobb… in plumb garden ripping down wall and taking away
ivy…planting fibbard [filberts?]…work in flower garden…in flower garden border and
making duck nests…planting currans- Little warren…planting apple trees…1/2 day
fencing for deers…pleasure garden about the border…Rosemary Garden and plumb
garden…vineyard hewing plants…Little Warren skinning border…skinning ground for
Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust
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NICHOLAS PEARSON ASSOCIATES
Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust
the pippins…Little Warren about The Walk…turning ground in pleasure garden…whole
month in Pleasure garden Cherry garden and Little Warren…thatching on wall of pigs
court and wall between kennels and plumb garden…water to plumb garden and poles to
Cherry garden…cutting of thorn for freathing…mixing lime…raking leaves…fetching
dead horse [for kennels?]… plum garden wall… pointing vineyard wall…about ye gates
again in warren and by pleasure house and fitting hutches in little warren…digging
Cherry Garden for beans…in garden and tend Winster…freathing out withy plot…raking
ferns in 9 Acres, warren and Coppice… (95).
There are references to work at or to garden features or buildings such as carried 5 or 6
Fowles to pleasure House to Broadsands to get stones for a grotto …carrying stones to
Pleasure House…carrying poles to Pleasure House, and in August washing ye Pleasure
House…at the warren by Pleasure House repairing a dry wall (95).
Also in 1754 Toby Hosgood [Toby’s house?] was leading horses to plow in vineyard and
carrying earth and dung to the plum garden (95).
1756
Accounts include half a day hunting the deer (95).
The coastal position of Cockington had many advantages, as well as the views and the
supply and tythe of fish, water transport was by far the most efficient at the time, and
heavy and bulky goods could easily be shipped to Livermead and brought up to
Cockington. This applied as much to illicit cargoes as to the coal, cullem, lime and timber
mentioned in the accounts.
The Navy’s need for oak for shipbuilding was probably also in Mallock’s mind as he
wrote of the proximity of his woodlands to the water. Repairs to boats and making and
dying sails and nets were often referred to, as well as work on Mallock’s ship The Loyal
Vernon undergoing repairs at Dartmouth in 1756, and work on the fish cellars at
Livermead.
1757
By 1757 Mallock was mortgaging the manor and Lordship of Cockington and the Great
Meadow there to John Newcombe of Exeter for £6000, taking out various other bonds
and mortgages and in 1761 transferring one mortgage to John Parker of Boringdon (96).
Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust
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Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust
Sand was carried to the Pleasure house and thatching was taking place at the stables, 43
Nitches Reed were being laid at Warren Lynny and 97 Nitches reed at Wood Barn; wood
and broyle were cut and carried (97). Shundle stones were taken for the Brewhouse, Fowles
house, kennel and warren, (95).
1758/9
William Humphry submitted itemised accounts for his work as a carpenter, woodsman,
boat builder, wheelwright and maker of vehicles (98)...taking down trees for Spoks for
Weals and sawing fellows…Myself about the Carremarry to draw ye Deer, making an
exele to ye Deer Cart, about the wheels of the little carrymerry…about the chease
[chaise] and the Timber Carriage. He also made a Screw for the pound…a Safe to hang
the deer, worked in the Warrin abt ye Birdhous…Me and Sam about the house in the
Little Warrin…four days about the Cow Cumber Frames…rest of year cutting wood,
glass doors at little House and much work at New Stable…me Sam and Will taking up the
palisades in the Green Court…one day about the Pleasure Boat and there was work
about the racehorse stable and new stables and putting piggins in the old stable (99).
In 1759 an agreement was made to knock down one Roundhouse now standing next to the
old stable (100).
Henry Bully's accounts from 1758 - 1764 also submitted his account for work as a
carpenter and woodsman, leaving a glimpse of the woods and timber on the estate and the
variety of building works at the Court and on the estate, particularly at the pleasure house,
to which Rawlin Mallock had referred in 1753 (101).
Crosscutting and nubbing Trees in Chestnut Wood…laying planching[planking] Wood
House…crosscutting and nubbing Timber to draw to waterside…about ye house in plumb
garden…making up the wier for the Lizard Box…mending hutches… felling and sawing
stuff in higher mead for the Horse boat… felling Timber for the roof of stable.
… felling timber for new stable… felling stuff to make Cornish for ye Stable…one plank
of Elm saw’d for Stable Ruff. but used at warren barns floor 15’ 6”…another plank for
helinghay pond 15’ 6”…felling three trees and crosscutting to finish the Ruff[roof]…
making a shoulder piece for fish buckets…two days about the mowstand…felling stuff in
Cockton wood for inside of stable…making frames for Orange Trees…fixing out the
frames and mendd pump…making chaise wheels…
Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust
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NICHOLAS PEARSON ASSOCIATES
Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust
1760
…about the glasses for the garden… Three glasses for the garden @ 3s 6d. He had John
Weeks sawing the great chestnut piece in Wood lane for three days and did more wood
work for the stable and the Cornish, carried out repairs in the mansion and at the
almshouses and repaired various vehicles including the Kerry merry and chaise. The
gates and doors of Toby’s house were also attended to. He was taking of cupola pleas:
hous and in December covering the place where the cupola was, which may have been
connected with an item for 32 feet of lead.
1761
required wheels for the three wheel but…cutting stuff for Rough[roof] of great
barn…Rough of the kill-house…scaffolds for the Dwelling House and Limepots…Cullem
pots…Crock covers…pigges yoakes…putting up lead and Sodering it…making short
ladders for Helliers. Some of these suggest that repairs were being carried out at the
mansion. Outdoor repairs included pales by great Barn door…gates at Livermead…and
standard to Tallet door
Bully was also busy sawing beams for New house in the warren… putting up rough in the
New House Warren…sawing Rafters for Warren House… about the Sole and saising at
Warren New House.
1762
.. planching the new house in Warren… taking the Rough down of great Barn… colouring
the Cornish…measuring the new coach house Rough… about pidgeon frames and rabbit
hutches… ye Boat for ye pond per agreement…2boards used about the pleasure boat.
At the pleasure house at ps house abt ye lead…putting four square of glass to the
pleasure house… Bully and Cook at pleasure house laying pitch over top of Cellar and
Cupola…21’ 8” of glass to the little house by pleasure house… 2 large squares of crown
glass for the little house on the south side of the pleasure house…stopping leaks in the
leads @ House and pleasure house.. putting hapses [hasps] and repairing door of
pleasure house…at pleasure house about the leads and the pump and bell of parlor.
Painting parlor may also refer to the pleasure house, as may Leading of 2 lights in 2
casements and putting of Barrs in 3 window frames. The new house by ye barn was also
being glazed at the time with 6 large Quarrels of glass and 6 Lesser, as was the Little
house Sticklepath head.
Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust
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NICHOLAS PEARSON ASSOCIATES
Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust
At the pleasure house a mason was at work in 1963, Mr Mallock had of Henry Bully the
Cistern at Pleasure House for which he was to have the value in Timber…and he was
putting up ye Cistern. The roof of the pleasure house proved a problem into the winter,
Sodering the lead at pleasure house…part of day at pleasure house when it was said the
lead had leaked…at pleasure attending with Pillon/Pillow to alter the Roof p:house.
Hanover and Adams were sawing rails and pales and posses at pleasure house and Bully
was fetching deals from Topsham and Torkey and wood was felled and sawn for the
linhay and warren
(101).
Mallock’s steward was keeping a daily journal which includes
items for dung for the pease…Hot Beds…colly-flower seed…pig salted…Sea Sand two
Seams sifted in a wheat sieve to be carried in Baggs…Hair 2 Peck…Earth 4 Butts…36
bags Lime…24 Hogsheads at Mr Lees Kiln…Hav[w]er seed…Mr newberry for Bark. It
also covered shooting parties and a trip to Exeter Races, given the existence of a
racehorse stable this may have been to take Mallock’s horse to run (102).
In 1764 Bully was mending Hutches and other jobbs in great warren, obtaining two
Buckskins £1 2s 6d, finishing the Leaves over the pigs Trough and about Ferret hutches.
However the majority of the items relate to further work at the pleasure house: help
carking [caulking] the top of the pleasure house…sodering leads of p;house…sawing 10
Deals and lying in the planck stairs and the parlor floor and blue room…colouring the
pales of the p:house…colouring the screen and pasting[?] on Chest… 2nd time colouring
ye Screen…sawing and working oak pipes for Top of ps house walls… colouring the
bottom of the walls in the parlour of p; house…For making a chimney piece in parlor of
pleasure house £10 4s 6d.
(101)
1765
Donn’s Map of Devonshire shows the Court, Church and village (figure 2 ).
1766
Depositions in connection with a dispute over tithes state that there were upwards of 30
orchards planted in the parish of Cockington covering some 40 acres of land (103).
During the 1760 and 1770s a number of mortgages and bonds suggest that there was a
need to raise money (104; 105).
1768
A lease refers to Poundhouse meadow…a little orchard or garden called the South
garden…inclosed close at the Higher end of Wood lane and adjoining the Parkgate (106).
Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust
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Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust
1769
A note requesting 1/2oz Collyflower seeds…Early Batterevey [Batavia lettuce?] …Early
Sugar Loaf… Early ?Leeks seed
occurrence
(108)
(107);
a bill for orders of hops and malt, a frequent
and another for ½ groce bottles and crate…2 wine pipes
(109)
point to
home production of beer and wine. An account in November was for work about
Asparagus Bead (110).
1770
Edward Lock cut 300 freath and Seasle, his man and boy spent 1 day about Garden Wall
(111).Orders
of seed in the 1770s include clover and Pease, beans and carrots etc, and
Dutch turnip seed and parsnip seed (112).
An eighteenth century document describes to a Tanyard erected by Thomas Ley, at which
Jacob Ley was the tanner, wherein there is as large a trade carried on as in any yard in
Devon (113).
1773
Rawlin Mallock leased to Jacob Ley of Cockington, tanner, a messuage tenement and
herbgarden, 2 orchards called the Home Orchard and Millpark Orchard and several
fields or closes of land called the Markhams, the little greenway, the furse park, the Hilly
Close, the Bramble Park, the Tanpit Meadow, the great park, the little park and Neck’s
Tenement… the little Markham now converted to a Orchard
(114).
Six years later Jacob
Ley the tanner had a lease which included an orchard and willow plot (115).
1775
A lease tells of an early barn conversion: a cottage or dwelling house with a barn now
converted to a dwelling house, a herbgarden and a orchard and nursery containing ½
acre and 3 fields called Stonesground in Cockington (116).
1777-8
Ned Lock’s account for work in 1777-78 included fencing for the Deer..cutting Eivey
[fodder?]… cutting witheys…,fencing out the Deer…letting water out of ye
meadow…freathing and cutting ivey…cleaving wood…caring broyle…caring furze…and
much walling in little and great warrin and mending hages
(117).
In the same document
John Parnel was accounting for work thatching the haymowe…the Kennel walls and the
Barn. In the same year William Adams carried out extensive reglazing of the mansion
and provided laths for the Necessary House (118).
Hanniball Murch charged for bleeding and drenching 23 dogs(119), suggesting that the
kennels were for a pack of hounds.
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William Humphry appeared still to be working on the estate, preparing for cider making
in the autumn me an Will tacking don of a Tre for the Runner for the pound…me an Will
an John putting in the Runner…cutting don of a Spill an nut for the pound… making
Tumblers for the pound (120). Some twenty years earlier he had made a new screw for the
pound.
1778-9
William
Elston
was
supplying
plants…beans…pease…spinidge
seed…carrots
seed…Dutch turnep seed and Parsnip seed (121).
1778/9
Rawlin Mallock IV died, and
(122)
left Cockington to his cousin the Rev Samuel Mallock
(123).
1779
A lease of Stantor and 2 barns, I shippen and 3 orchards adjoining, one of which
orchards is at the eastern end of a close called North Broad Park; also a courtilage of
land containing 3a, and a ½ part of a close adjoining the courtilage (which is called the
Gren) called Souther Complehays,…a close called Easter Windeates,..a cottage and
fields belonging called the Corn Acre, the Shortacombe, the Bowhay, the Deer Park and
latchers Field, 3 fields (13 a)…fields called the Churchway, the Ithacombe, the Greenway
and the Foxhole containing 18a and in Cockington all those fields called the Great Close
by South, the Higher Portorway, or Buller’s Field and the Middle Portorway (10a)
(124),
further added to by Pondparks, North Broad Park, 28a, Great Honiford, Honifords
Meadow, Scaddons, Higher Honiford, Little Honiford, the Meadow (125).
1783
The plantsman, botanist and nurseryman Robert Sweet was born on the estate and went
on to career of distinction, working at nurseries in Stockwell with Malcolm and Chelsea
with Colvills (126). His half-brother James was a partner in the firm of Miller and Sweet of
Bristol (127).
1786
Rev Samuel Mallock died, leaving the estate to his son Roger (1771/2-1846), a minor.
1788
The trustees of Roger Mallock of Cockington, Esq, an infant under the age of twenty-one
years prepared for the sale of 490 oaks growing in Cockington Wood and marked with
red paint (128).
1790
The trustees sold 435 oak trees marked with white paint and growing in Cockington
Wood (129).
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1793
Roger Mallock gave a 14 year lease to Thomas Tozer of Stantor for Stantor and part of
the Barton of Cockington ie the Great Orchard, or Clapper Orchard, the 2 meadows at
Livermead, Dew Park, Lears Barton, Oat Barton, Middle Barton, Higher Cow Barton,
Lower Cow Barton, Coombe Barton and the Higher Wood or Gallows Gate Field; also a
large piece of land formerly a park and which lately has been a rabbit warren and is now
called the Great Warren, a dwelling house, Barn, orchard and field near the Warren
Gate part of Manscombe Tenement, Livermead field and a field at the back lately
belonging to the Manor Mill (130).
The Rev John Swete visited Cockington during his tour of the Torbay area (figure 3).
This brought me quickly to the scatter’d Village of Cockington, and striking a little from
the road I was pursuing, I past through a mean-looking gateway and at once had in view
before me Cockington House and the Church on the rising part of the hill contiguous to
the gardens of the Mansion: this being surrounded by old walls and trees had a rather
picturesque look which induced me to make a sketch of it.
- the Edifice consists of a front with three stories having two projecting wings, which with
walls that not long ago stood before it assumed the form of a quadrangle. It appears a
large pile and of some respectability:- the scite is low between hills, surrounded by trees
– and from the ruins of old walls lying around, wears a rather forlorn aspect, it is better
seen at a distance! From a little green, by the road side leading to Totness it hath a very
picturesque look: and with its Church and tower exhibits a pleasing rural Scenery (131).
The following year he wrote I skirted what had been the Park at Cockington, lying high
and forming a ridge of elevated ground, at the eastern point of which were the ruins of a
Summer house which had the command of all the delightfull scenery of Torbay and its
environs. This piece of ground, now dispark’d comprises about 100acres, and hath been
just let as a farm to be broken up.
The House now appear’d in view and I could not help regretting that the Master of so fine
an Estate comprising the Manor and the whole Parish of Cockington which stranded on
Torbay, from Mr Carys within a mile of Payngton, should yet when he took possession
find that Estate so encumber’d and mutilated by leases, as not to have remainng a
sufficient competence to support the Old Mansion, and to maintain somewhat of the style
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which it had always, during a possession by the Martyns and Carys been accustom’d to
see (132).
1795
A watercolour sketch (figure 3) by Archdeacon Froude, (whose daughter married into the
Mallock family), shows the old pillars of a courtyard in the foreground, and on the left a
low wall with a gateway into the pleasaunce, this wall continued from the pillars as far as
the north wing of the house. The buildings on the right are outbuildings, stables, kennels
(133).
The picture shows the house before the removal of the third storey. The open iron
gate and low walls had replaced a gatehouse and high walls (38 and figure 3). There are
also other cottages and outbuildings to the north-east of the church, which were, like the
almshouses, demolished in the remodelling of about 1820.
1796
A 14 year lease was given to Philip Michelmore including orchards 7 fields and closes
part of the barton of Cockington, ie Helenhay Orchard (except the ponds therein)
Chestnut Orchard, Coomb Park, Cockington Wood, little Wood, Oak[t]wood, Chestnut
wood, Great Stocks Barton, Little Stocks Barton, House Barton and Oak Barton (134).
1801
A Plan of the Parish of Cockington with part of the Parish of Marldon (189; figure 4)
shows the Court with its own intimate parkland and an extensive walled garden divided
into six plots. Beyond this walled garden is large orchard.
This is the first detailed record of the estate landscape and appears to record some
elements of a mediaeval landscape, together with later enclosures of the deer park and
warren. The scattered village set amidst orchards is striking.
1802-4
The Ordnance Survey surveyor’s drawing (figure 5) does not show any significant
differences from the 1801 map.
1806
Richard Polwhele was impressed; At Cockington, so famous in elder days, the fine
manor and park are still conspicuous…the seat of the Caries for divers descents, a family
that have flourished in great esteem, and have taken deep root, whence many noble
branches are budded forth, and by transmigration planted themselves elsewhere
(123).
At
present Cockington-House belongs to Roger Mallock, esq. Whose father, the Rev Samuel
Mallock, in 1799, received it by will from his cousin…Rawlin Malloc or Mallach (123).
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Polwhele went on, early topographers…seldom alluded to landscape beauty, but some of
them hint at it in regard to Cockington (123).
Following the rise in agricultural land prices in the late eighteenth century Roger Mallock
was shrewd enough to get rid of the deer and turned most of his parkland into farms (134),
as Swete had noted. Mallock also built Livermead House and Livermead Cottage,
occupied by his friends Lord St Vincent and Sir John Colbourne; otherwise despite a
failed proposal for a pretentious and symmetrical watering place… Cockington remained
a quiet and undisturbed Arcadia (134).
1808
Charles Vancouver published his study of the agriculture of Devon, describing the land in
the parish of Cockington a very large proportion of excellent tillage and rich pasture
land: this is generally found lying upon a Dunstone rubble, in which frequently occur
large bodies of limestone
(135).
In the same year Cockington Wood was leased with the
liberty of burning lime in Stantor Quarry at such times as Roger Mallock shall appoint
(136).
1810
Sir George Cary’s almshouses were taken down and rebuilt outside the park
(1);
outbuildings were also removed.
1809
The Ordnance Survey Old Series (figure 5) shows a similar configuration to the drawing
on which it was based.
1816
A rental agreement with Abraham Beavis includes the items No hedges to be made except
in Honifords…lime burnt at Stantor kiln…corn in Cherry Barton and Bully’s
Field…wheat in Higher Barley Park…turnips in old Stantor Barley Park: clear by 15th
April 1817…Cherry Barton to be stocked with good seeds and to be unstocked at Xmas
(137).
1817
An uncompleted survey, suggesting a picturesque landscape and walks around the estate,
but omits distances which were apparently intended to fill empty columns.
Places
mentioned include Lawn gates… the S walk in the Warren… Barn to the walk by the
Corn-ricks…the walk through the plantation at the back of the Warren… walks leading
by the Warren Walk to Manscombe…Walk by the warren walk to the top of the hill Helen
hay orchard…the walks through Helen Hay to the bottom of the ponds…the middle walk
to the Warren…the end walk in the Do [Warren] (138).
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On the reverse is written The walk from the house by Manscombe Barn and by the new
gate through the back part of the Warren through eastern nine acres to the gate by the
leat in the upper part of the 9 acres to the leat/seat in the 4 acres, through the walk
leading to the Corn Ricks and in the old plantation to Manscombe; this is dated 2.3.17
(138).
1818
Abraham Beavis’ account includes drawing stone for mason…drawing sand and
lime…drawing coals and dung… plowing oatwood 6d per Acker…seeds sown in the
Cowbarton 90lb clover 15lb Trifoil Six Booshels and half of ewer[?] seed (137).
1820
The Court which had formed one side of a square, entered between two towers…
surrounded by a deer park of four or five hundred acres was extensively remodelled by
Rev Roger Mallock. My grandfather destroyed the forecourt…a range of antique
offices…removed the top storey and replaced it with a dwarfish parapet (134).
In the same year Mallock reserved the rights to timber, mining, hunting and hawking in a
lease of Starks messuage and tenement (139). Further leases refer to the Park wall (140) and a
tenement with the Cider Pound, Threshing Machine Fields or closes of land (141). In 1822
despite his building activity Mallock was concerned about the state of the economy and
its effects How do you feel in this time of dismay. Peace and prosperity will ruin us all,
there must be something radically amiss when two of the greatest blessings man can have
shall cause us ruin (142).
He is credited by Elizabeth Mallock with having made the drive which goes down past
the ponds, …built the lodge at the bottom opening out into Livermead Lane. Her memoir
of about 1900 continues There used to be orchards where the drive now is. An old
gardener, by name Dart, was here at the time and he used to say that he had planted the
cutting with ferns, but his master asked him what on earth he wanted to stick all those
things in for. He also planted the snowdrops which have spread to such beauty and
profusion. Before these alterations were begun there used to be a strawberry garden
where the large clump of horse chestnuts and other trees is - on the lefthand side of the
drive as you go down – just by the fork branching off to the Lodge and down the drive
(143).
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1823
A Road Closure order enabled Mallock to close Manscombe Lane to Torquay Road
(144)
(figure 6).
1824
A lease of fields, orchards and closes of ground…Cow Barton, Cherry Barton, Higher
and Lower Oak Barton, Hirre {Higher?] Barton, Chestnut Wood, Chestnut Orchard,
Bowhay Orchard, Bowhay and Little Orchard was granted for five years (145).
1827
The Reverend Mallock mortgaged the Barton of Cockington and the Inclosure known as
the Warren or Park as well as dwellings in Cockington and the Barton of Stantor, other
parties to the mortgage included John Hext of Restormel Park (146).
1828
A lease instructs on the rotation of crops and includes crops in Chestnut Wood, which
therefore must have been arable by this date. It also forbids the breaking up of any
orchards. (147).
1838
A Road Closure Order was made adjoining the Lower Lodge
in association with
diversion of the lane from Livermead Sands to keep traffic to the village from the grounds
(148),(figure
6). At the entrance to the grounds, an eminently picturesque lodge (Higher
Lodge) with a rustic verandah on tree-trunks supporting the thatched roof, and Gothic
windows with straight-sided heads instead of arches. Built shortly before the road was
altered in 1838 (149). However this seems not to have been in place by 1846.
1840
The Torbay Road was constructed, beginning the invasion of Cockington’s tranquility.
1846
The Tithe plan for Cockington was produced (figure 8), but is disappointingly lacking in
detail in the area of the Court; the apportionment is similarly lacking in information for
that part. The Rev Roger Mallock held 1016 acres in the parish, including 25 acres of
orchard and gardens, 587 acres of arable, 294 acres of meadow and pasture and 60 acres
of wood (150). However, the plan does seem to deny the completion of the lodges and new
drives planned since 1823.
Roger Mallock died and was succeeded by his fourth son Charles Herbert Mallock.
1848
The construction of the railway and Torquay Station encroached upon the Cockington
estate, signalling further development.
1850
White described Cockington Court as set in a well-wooded lawn (151)
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1854
Cockington lane was described in Croyden’s Handbook for Torquay This lane is one of
those cool, shady roads… shut in on both sides by high luxuriant hedges and rows of tall
elm trees, which often meet above and overarch the path… The sides of the road crowded
with flowers inumerous, while the gates which open upon them at intervals afford peeps,
more or less extensive, of the surrounding scenery, all equally verdurous and fertile (152).
1858
A map of the estate of this date is known to have existed, but cannot be traced (190).
1860
WH Mallock, a grandson of Roger Mallock, commented on Cockington as he knew it as a
boy when my father was born … it was the heart of the neighbourhood remotely and
even primitively rural, and fifty years later when I can first remember it, its immediate
surroundings were unchanged… on the Cockington property…few dwellings existed
which had not been there in the days of Charles II.
(152).
1861
Cockington Court was described as pleasantly situated in a finely timbered domain (154).
1864
The Ordnance Survey first edition 25" (figure 10) shows the Court much as before, but
the walled kitchen garden is much reduced since 1801, having been replaced by mature
orchards.
Most dramatically, the new drives and lodges have been completed, the
almhouses removed from the front lawn, and the whole Court landscape separated from
the village by plantations. As well as the original almhouses, four cottages bounding the
lawn have been removed, perhaps explaining the delays. There is clear evidence for the
creation of a private landscape. Notably a new sawmill and mill pond loom over the
village, but are screened from the lawn.
1869
Cockington was described The estate presents a great variety of picturesque scenery, and
the panoramic landscapes with which it everywhere abounds are unrivalled (155).
1873
Charles Herbert Mallock junior (1840-1875) inherited the estate from his father, but only
lived until 1875, when his brother Richard (1843-1900) succeeded, who was then absent
from Cockington studying agriculture until 1878, his mother and sisters lived there while
Thornhill Brake was being built for them (143).
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1878
After resistance to any development, the first villa, The Corbyn, was built in Cockington
(38).
Amongst those listed in the Post Office Directory was William Davey dealer in cider,
indicating the scale of production from the Cockington Orchards (156).
The diary of Arthur Mudge, a relation by marriage of Richard Mallock
(157)
shows him
much involved in sporting and gardening activities. In the first year he had helped to
shoot 1115 game birds and animals, including snipe, rail, plover and woodcock. He and
his wife worked in the gardens with the Mallocks, and he was involved in works to
improve the shooting and water supply.
In the spring of 1878 he was planting laurels behind Easterbrook Lodge…working on
greenhouse… went to Skadzon to show Peek the plan for the reservoir…went taking
levels with Rich for the rain to supply the tank at Skadzon…still cutting laurels (down
drive)…cut down Cupressus Macracarpa (the other side of the lower pond) so as to open
out the view… planted magnolia outside lower lodge… went to Skadzon where levels are
being taken for new ram.
On the birth of Charles Herbert Mallock, a Thuya lobbii was planted, following the family
tradition to commemorate a baby’s birth.
The Mudges laid out an archery ground to the right of the church path. Arthur complained
about the poor partridge shooting during the autumn, and shot at Greenaway… round
Skadzon, []Brake… and through Ten Acres and Skadzon.
In October he walked down to Charlie’s to see his greenhouse…saw new greenhouse [ ]
is putting up for him…made plans for greenhouse which I am going to build at
Cockington…walked to Mrs Mallock’s house Thornhill Brake – planted 12 firs and left
boy to plant spruce between them…at Cockington there was some excitement turning
away some people who for the second time had come with bags to pick up chestnuts.
November and December saw whole day cutting paths through brake… cut paths
with keeper through Ten Acre Brake…finished paths at 10 acres and 18 acres and began
Skadzon… went to work out new plantation in Cherry Barton… cutting paths through
Skadzon…cutting paths with keeper thru Paignton Brake…working on greenhouse…
began clearing the laurels round the ponds, making a path or opening by the lower one
and knocking the place into some shape… spent the whole day down the drive below the
pond cutting out laurel and making opening to show the various firs at the back…tried
new root blasting machine with fair success…put out pheasant boxes.
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He also mentions the men began putting up Rich’s new water wheel, the existence of a
field of rape above Lady Park and skating on the Mill Pond.
1879
Work carried on with the greenhouse, ordered 7 vines from Devon Nursery Gardens…
marked out foundation and vine border…cut away laurels by lodge… cut laurels down by
ponds.… whole day cutting down elder in Church Plantation…taking down old house by
alms houses…fixed 4lbs powder and 2lbs in one corner and effected a breach… attacked
house again…pulling up cut elder and making up fence around the church side of Church
Plantation…Planted rhododendrons in Church Plantation- put down 200 of them.
In the grounds a boys garden is mentioned and he went down to lower end of centre pond
and began to make steps up to the coach house… finished steps and cut paths round
ponds. Went to Skadzon and saw water works- they have extended the piping to the Little
Warren.
In the autumn we proceeded to cut down 30 trees which Rich had marked in the P---plantation…saw about paths by the ponds…about making a new outfall for the centre
pond and raising the water… having trouble with the ram…went to Thornhill Brake and
planted trees for Mrs Mallock… went to ponds and planted ferns; and there was more
work on the greenhouse.
1880
…planted 6 rhododendrons about the ponds, and clumps of Hydrangeas near the church
path. Went with Richard to work out place for 2 cottages he proposes building on part of
the site of the old house that we blew up. Planted an oak tree where church path begins
(157).
Mr Ben Richards became the head gardener living at Higher Lodge from 1900 to 1916
(158).
He described the lodge gate at that time as an old gate with a latch but no lock, and
no wicket gate at the side, it remained like that until 1927(159).
Richard Mallock apparently met a lady and the Mudge diaries have no further entries
about work at Cockington. The present layout from the old bridge to the lower Lodge has
been attributed to Richard Mallock and Arthur Mudge (160). The lady may well have been
Elizabeth Emily, whose memoir of Cockington during her husband’s life casts light on
the latter part of the nineteenth century (143).
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1881
Elizabeth Emily records This winter we began to make the tennis ground – above the old
croquet ground – to do so we had to cut away a great quantity of bushes…and some trees
- thus letting a quantity of light and air into the house.
…the snowdrops were lovely down by the ponds. We began doing what we did ever after
– moving them from under bushes and spreading them – and bringing some up about the
tennis ground and plantation. … There were very few daffodils then – a large patch in
Yonder Lawn of Lent Lilies – and just a few of those tender, musk scented, creamy
“Cernuus” above the lower pond and by the top pond, which I was told Dart had planted
long ago (143).
1881-3
Cockington, which had long been a civil parish, became an ecclesiastical parish, and a
rise in population at about this time is apparent due to increasing development
(9).
The
church underwent partial restoration…at the sole cost of Richard Mallock esquire
(161).
The tannery was destroyed by fire and Lanscombe House was built on the site (11).
1882
Elizabeth Emily’s journal notes in March Tennis ground marked out and played on first
time…. 29th April Great gale blowing all day…We lost over 120 trees. Two big elms in
the rookery were blown down. …; a walk with D… up to the summerhouse and nailed up
creepers. They all died in the winter – the East wind too cold for them.
The family of parents and children worked in the grounds together, clipping laurels on the
drive and planting. Roger planted an oak tree in the front lawn. It was a young tree
grown from an acorn which Mrs Mallock brought from Algiers in 1875. It is the tree
nearest to the ditch which runs round the little plantation to the left looking towards the
sea from the house (143).
1883
In April the journal notes a man… about draining and cleaning out the ponds and
planting primroses on the slope below the tennis ground. Later in the year More time
spent at the ponds seeing after the work there…Path made to Higher garden and back
road being re-made. Path across from Almshouses and Lodge also done at this
time…Laurels by old drawing room being cut down (143).
Richard Mallock was MP for Torquay; WH Mallock recalls electioneering on his behalf,
addressing a crowd from a wagon with a world of apple-trees in front of me and a
thatched barn behind (142).
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1884
Westley’s Tourist Guide described Cockington the ancient and thatched-covered cottages
wear a very rustic appearance and the rich clusters of luxuriant roses and myrtles that
partially cover them, fail to conceal the ruinous condition of many, which appear to be
considered beyond repair
(162).
This assessment is reflected in the earliest known but
updated photographs of the village and Court (figures 14 to 16) with one cottage propped
up by poles, and later demolished.
1888
Extensive repairs to the almshouses were carried out (38).
1890
Cockington Court was described as a large stone mansion, in a well-wooded lawn (163).
1900
On the death of Richard Mallock his son Captain CH Mallock inherited. (38).
1906
The Ordnance Survey second edition 25” map (figure 12) shows less development in the
decades since 1864 than before. The sawmill had developed further as a timberyard. The
depletion of the village's orchards is matched by a new commercial fruit farm with some
loss of historic hedgerows. Changes in the layout of cottages in the village also reflect
demolitions and limited rebuilding, but the most notable changes are, in fact, incursions
of development bounding the estate.
1917
Major Mallock died in France; his son RH Mallock was a child of ten on his inheritance.
Death duties may well have been responsible for the preparation of a schedule of trees for
sale included 203 elms, 16 ash, 2 oak, 9 chestnut, 10 beech, 7 silver fir, 9 horse chestnut
and 10 sycamore. These came from several parts of the estate, including the Front Lawn
(elm, beech, sycamore), Yonder Lawn (elm, ash, beech, sycamore), the Private Drive
(ash), Lower Pond (ash), near Higher Lodge (beech), Warren Field (beech, sycamore a
clump of five) and various plantations, including Manscombe, Raggs and Church
Plantation where stood all the chestnut and the silver fir (164).
1919
Cockington is described as the seat of Mrs Mallock, but it was later leased to Mr J.H.
Charlesworth (165; 38).
1927
Mr Richards, the head gardener, described the replacement of the Higher Lodge Gate in
November, during the tenancy of Mr Charlesworth, as a main gate with a wicket gate
each side slightly nearer the public road than the old gate. Two rows of rick stones were
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put along the road between the gate and the public road to prevent the parking of vehicles
(159).
1928
R H Mallock celebrated coming of age at Cockington
(38).
The village and parish of
Cockington were taken into the municipal borough of Torquay (166).
1929
A dispute arose over the right to public access to the church across the grounds of
Cockington Court. R.H Mallock obtained an order banning visitors from using the
Churchway from Higher Lodge
(167).
He asserted that, particularly since the Great War,
there had been increasing numbers of visitors, as opposed to parishioners, making their
way to the church This order will exclude from the grounds vast numbers of people who
visit Torquay during the summer and look upon Cockington Court as one of the
attractions of the place (167).
In the same year there was a rumour that Cockington Forge was to be sold, dismantled
and taken to America. Correspondence in The Times concluded England will not be
England if this destruction is continually permitted (168; 169). Fortunately there proved to be
no truth in the rumour, but the national coverage indicates that the Forge was widely
known and appreciated at time when notable landmarks were being shipped abroad.
1931
The Churchway case went to court where local people claimed that there was a right of
access to the church; the proceedings were keenly reported in The Times and the Western
Morning News. Witnesses included William Caroe FRIBA, FSA, architect to the
Ecclesiastical Commissioners, Charity Commission and a number of cathedrals, who
had, 1930, designed the new inner west door and screen
(170).
Others were Helen Mary
Mallock, aunt of the defendant, Miss Catherine Mallock, aged 78, Mr Richards, also 78,
the head gardener from 1880 to 1916, and Mathilda Ann Eggleden ages 81, of the
almhouses, whose father William Davey had been the blacksmith at the Forge
(171; 172).
The case failed and was dismissed with costs. Miss Helen Mallock had also said in her
evidence that a lime tree was planted along the path to the church whenever a child was
born to the family (173).
1932
RH Mallock sold the bulk of the Cockington Estate to The Cockington Trust Ltd, whose
purpose in purchasing the estate was to develop and dispose of such estate, to lay out
land for building purposes etc (174).
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Cockington Court, the park and some meadows were leased by the Trust to Torquay
Borough Council for 999 years; the freehold of the mansion and park was subsequently
acquired by Torquay Corporation for £50,000, enabling the park to be opened to the
public (166).
The Trust aimed to preserve entire and unchanged the ancient amenities and character of
the place and in developing its surroundings to do nothing which may not rather enhance
then diminish its attractiveness (149).
1934
It was the Trust’s intention to create a model village, inspired by eighteenth century
planned village design, and Edwin Lutyens was commissioned by the Trust to remodel
Cockington (Trebilco). An advertisement in the Paignton News for 31st October by The
Cockington Estate claimed You want the Best Sites – we have them (175).
1935
A brochure was produced to advertise the proposed village, but although twenty thatched
and limewashed buildings were envisaged, only the Drum Inn was built and its design
was not completed
(149).
The Inn, its garden steps and Lutyens signpost, with the sign
itself by Dame Laura Knight, and the K6 telephone box of 1935 are all listed buildings
(8).
The grounds to the Court were described as one of the chief attractions to-day is the
lovely combe with its triple chain of lakes, surrounded by noble trees which spring from
a semi-natural garden of rhododendrons, camellia and azalea shrubs which sometimes
in this genial climate forget that they are shrubs and rise to a height of 40 feet or more;
an entrancing form of “wilderness” (176).
1938
The remains of a cobbled path were found at a depth of ten feet during drainage works by
the south-east corner of the chancel of Cockington church, this was considered to have
led to the original almshouses and Torre Abbey (160).
1939
Torquay Corporation acquired a large part of the estate, some 680 acres
(177).
Over 600
acres, excluding Cockington Village and the Sherwell Valley were sold for development
in a high class manner not but in conformity and complete harmony with its natural
beauties (178). Housing was built at Chelston, Broadpark, Livermead and Preston, but the
advent of the Second World War seems to have curtailed development. During Second
World War Lord Rothermere’s art collection was housed at Cockington
(4).
On 13th
February 1943 two bombs fell 110 yards from the church, destroying the east and south
windows (179).
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1946
Sales particulars described
Cockington a more perfect gem of natural beauty would be
hard to imagine… the three lakes set at different levels, and entirely surrounded by a
glory of rare flowering shrubs and mammoth rhododendron trees
(180).
The Prudential
Assurance Company bought the village, including the Drum Inn, from the Trust by
private treaty before the auction
(181).
The house was subsequently used as a café and ice
cream factory (38). Press coverage at the time deplored the lack of initiative shown by the
Corporation since their acquisition The Corporation’s policy in regard to Cockington has
been one of inertia and lack of imagination (182). The view that Thank heaven something
has happened to preserve Cockington from Torquay was hastily rebutted by Torquay,
with an attack on the BBC’s commentary and the erroneous impression… created by the
vendetta which a section of the London Press is waging against the town (183).
1950-1
A new avenue of limes was planted at Cockington to commemorate the GAAT
conference held at Torquay (184).
1954
Hoskins described Cockington Cockington Court is a house of the 16th- and 17th- cent.
date, delightfully placed in a small park (166).
1960
Bert Germain wrote his memoirs of fifty years as a professional gardener in the Torquay
area and included observations on Cockington in the earlier twentieth century
(185).
He
described that fine Old Garden of Cockington Court:
… one of the finest Collections of Gooseberries…many of the Fruit Trees, of which I were
quite able to recognize quite easily by their Growths, came from the world renowned
Firm of George Bunyard, considered to be the finest Fruit and Fruit Tree Experts of the
past century…The walled garden was well filled with fan trained Peaches and
Nectarines, and Cherries and Figs, on the other side of the Wall, was a really fine
Collection of Cordon Pears.
Their was also a very fine Orchard, of which Mr Richards [Ben Richards, the head
gardener, who retired in 1916] was especially proud and fond of, apples particularly noted
were Cornish Gillyflower, Emperor Alexander and that wonderful variety Pine Apple
Russet, with its silvery foliage, and its Bronzed Fruits, tinged with Blue, a sight really
worth seeing, and also another which stood out for its wonderful size, was that
tremendously handsome Apple Emperor Alexander. It needed seeing to believe.
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While their were not a lot of Flower Beds, their were quite a lot of Herbaceous Borders,
and these made a grand Display of Bloom, and also suppled the Big House, and also the
Church, with Cut Flowers…Another thing which Mr Richards was justly proud of was the
Arum Lillies in large Pots. Another thing that grew and flowered at Cockington Court
very fine was the Princess of Wales Violet, another great favourite of the Mallock Family,
and which usually flowered from late Autumn, thoughout the Winter, and into late Spring,
and what fine flowers were gathered, with their lovely perfume.
…a very great attraction, for many years has been the Rhododundrums, and what a Sight
, which have been admired by thousands of Visitors, from all over the World,
and…admired by many are the lovely Blue Ceonothus, and the Burberris Durwenii, with
its shiny leaves, and its Bronze like Flowers. These could be seen growing below the
Game-keeper Cottage, near the lower entrance to the Court Grounds…
the two World Wars… robbed us of many young Men, that would have been, both
Proffessional Head Gardeners and Horticulturalist.
Germain approved of the work of the Torquay Corporation since its purchase Great
changes have taken place at Cockington Court, since it has been taken over by the
Corporation, and great Improvement made, particularly with the Gardens Grounds. The
New Rose Gardens are a very fine addition,…and also the many Flowering Trees and
Shrubs that have been added, have made a very great improvement to the whole layout.
Another that has added much interest and enjoyment, is the Cricket Pitch, and what a
lovely setting it makes, almost surrounded by beautiful trees, and the Court house in the
back ground.
In looking back over the Years, their is no doubt that on entering the Grounds of
Cockington Court, with its trees and Green meadows, with the mansion in the
background, was a Country Sceen to be enjoyed…and for many years to come (185).
1964
Further Cockington Estate land was sold, on freehold ground rents (38).
1991
Cockington was used as a base by Devon Rural Skills Trust (186) and opened to the public
in 1991.
1994
Richardson describes the grounds The grounds are magnificent, both in presentation and
in their standards of maintenance. Around the court itself and the nearby church of St
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George and St Mary are mature avenues and specimen trees, a wide variety of shrubs and
a formal walled garden. To the south-east, with tunnel-access beneath the Totnes Road,
the ornamental parkland is dominated by a series of connected large ponds below
Hellinghay Plantation, with colourful displays in season of rhododendrons and gigantic
bog plants. At the entrance to the grounds is a picturesque lodge, with a rustic veranda
on tree trunks supporting the thatched roof (186).
2000
Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust was established, which now manages Cockington
estate, and at the same time was granted the remaining landlord's rights over the village,
long leases having been disposed of by Prudential Assurance.
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4.0
ANALYSIS
4.1
The Mediaeval Landscape
The early mediaeval landscape is only slightly recorded. At Domesday the landscape was a
mixture of meadow, pasture and woodland, grazed by sheep, goats and a few cattle.
Otherwise there is little apart from mention of sanctuary land associated with the chapel in the
twelfth century.
The field pattern shown on the Parish plan of 1801 suggests that some strip fields were later
enclosed with hedges which fossilised their shapes, particularly on the valley sides. The
pattern of small irregularly shaped fields rising to larger ones on and near the hill tops to the
west and south suggests subsequent phases of enclosure, taking in open land in the postmediaeval period. Walter de Wodeland held the right to free warren from 1352, but this is the
only clue to the landscape for the quarter century before his widow sold Cockington to John
Cary in 1374.
4.2
The Carys 1374 - 1654
The Carys were skilled at backing the losing side, and lost Cockington in 1387 and 1471 and
were ruined by their support of the Royalist cause in the Civil War. In the quieter periods
between these events, they lived as active members of the local gentry, some reaching
national standing as Elizabethan statesmen and kinsmen of the Queen. They were also
connected with Powderham Castle through marriage to the Courtenays and to Dartington Hall
through Cockington's status as part of the Honour of Dartington, held by the Fitzmartins and
later owned by the Champernownes.
Glimpses of the landscape of the late mediaeval, Tudor and Stuart periods are possible from
surviving estate records, some of which have been closely studied. In the mid fifteenth
century the Lord's garden, Lord's Meadow and Lord's Wood of Philip Cary are cited. During
the minority of his son and management by his widow, more detail has been extracted by
Sparkes and Fox. The Lady's wood was hedged and ditched in 1439/40 and in 1461 a lock was
provided for its large new gate. The Langegardgyn and Southgardyn were cut for hay and the
South garden was also an orchard. Orchards were important for the considerable production
of cider and the poundhouse was kept busy.
John Fflours watermill was newly built.
Langemeade was cut for hay, as was the Lord's garden, both being hedged. Garden here
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means orchard, as apples and other fruit were collected from the gardens. Higher, Middle or
grutte garden and Lower garden are mentioned. The garden and field names could be said to
imply a significant phase of enclosure and development by Philip and, later, Christina, Cary
as a mid fifteenth century landscape, the layout of which can be traced to this day.
4.3
Tudor and Stuart Cockington
The rise to prominence of Thomas Cary (1505 - 1567) and his son George (1541-1617)
during the reigns of Elizabeth I and James I led to the amassing of a considerable fortune and
increased estates. It is likely that the family wished their property to reflect their status and,
indeed, the present Court includes fabric dating to the sixteenth century including a datestone
of 1577, suggesting that a major phase of building was completed by George Cary at this
time.
Sir George purchased the adjacent Stantor, and the estate of Cockington and Chelston
extended to over 2000 acres, including a windmill, two watermills, a dovehouse and fifty
messuages and gardens, as well as fish cellars at Livermead. Sir George was absent in Ireland
for much of the late sixteenth and early seventeenth century and, although he requested a buck
from Odiham Park in 1585, there are no other records of the existence of a Tudor deer park.
References to existing dwellings and a forge suggest that closer survey of the surviving estate
buildings might reveal fabric of earlier date than currently supposed.
Sequestration and fines led to the sale of Cockington after the Civil War in 1654. At this time
as well as over two thousand acres of land there were four mills, one dovehouse and one
hundred and ten gardens on the estate, the last elsewhere described as orchards and gardens.
Though many field names are given in a deed of this year, no deer park is mentioned or
suggested. The Court had office, stables, barns, shippons, a poundhouse, fishponds, gardens,
courts and a pigeonhouse. An inventory of 1657 indicates orchards for apples and pears and
hop growing. To mortgagers like Malachi Dudeny, Cockington must have seemed an estate
ripe for plucking.
4.4
The Arrival of the Mallocks
The Exeter goldsmith Roger Mallock and his descendants set about remodelling and repairing
their estate. The Warren is first mentioned in 1659, leased for furses and connyes with
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repairing duties to the walls and fences but the lack of earlier references may simply reflect its
retention in-hand. The Court was extended in 1673, and Prince records in 1699 that it was
Rawlin Mallock who had enclosed the park, walled round a warren and large gardens and
fitted up the ponds. The garden walls are considered to date to the late seventeenth or early
eighteenth century and it would seem that the warren wall was built between 1654 and 1659;
Mallock also appears to have refitted some existing ponds. However, almost another century
passed before the deer park wall was built to create a deer park proper.
4.5
Georgian Cockington: as compleat an estate as any in England
The record of leases and accounts changes from repair to redesign in 1747, when the deer
park wall was commissioned. The deer park was stocked the following year with some deer
apparently coming from Wembury. In succeeding years accounts include regular railing and
freathing for deer and collecting ivy for deer; in 1753 a letter from Rawlin Mallock IV refers
to a hundred acre deer park stocked with 120 deer. By 1779 the deer had gone and in 1793 a
lease describes a large piece of land formerly a park, lately a rabbit warren called Great
Warren.
The deer park neatly survives only as long as Rawlin Mallock IV controlled
Cockington, from 1749 to 1779.
Plentiful records from the mid-eighteenth century show building and repairs not only to the
Court but also in the developing pleasure gardens. Reference is made to a Rosemary Garden,
pidgeon court, Folly Court, plumb garden and to a warren and a little warren. During the
period 1748-50 there appears to be more development of the buildings and gardens: Warren
barn is mentioned, as are a little house in the warren, green court, a vineyard, a little house in
the garden and Clapper orchard, a pleasure garden, cherry garden and repair materials for the
almshouses. The estate staff were harvesting chestnuts, apples and plums, sweeping courts
and planting walnut trees.
Rawlin Mallock IV’s letter of 1753 suggests that he considered that he had created as
compleat an estate as any in England, with thirty acres of wood well stocked with oak trees,
his deer park, seven fishponds, a rabbit warren with a perimeter wall two miles in length and a
pleasure house with fine views. The pleasure house was being washed (white or colour
washed) in 1754 and was extensively repaired and or refurbished in the 1760s. Accounts show
that it had a cupola, windows, a little house with glazing on its south side, a cistern, rails,
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pales and posts, oak pipes on the top of its walls, a chimney piece, a cornice, a parlour and
was coloured blue. By 1794 Swete reported that it was ruinous.
Between the 1760s and the end of the century mortgages and the sale of many trees suggest
the need to raise money. The Mallocks had discovered, like the Carys, the cost of living at
Cockington. By the time Roger Mallock inherited in 1786, Stantor had been leased, including
part of the disparked deer park. The deer park, summer house and the landscape so praised by
Rawlin Mallock had risen and fallen from use in half a century. As Roger Mallock returned
more of the estate to agriculture Swete commented on the apparent reduction of a once great
estate, but both Swete and Polwhele were still struck by the picturesque beauty of the
Cockington estate.
4.6
Nineteenth Century Cockington
Roger Mallock undertook remodelling of the Court and its environs, reducing the house in
size and reducing the clutter of out buildings. Fortunately the estate plan of 1801 records the
estate before much of this activity. He later removed the almshouses and demolished farm
buildings close to the Court. A survey of 1817 gives details of the walks and paths around the
estate, perhaps indicating plans to remodel routes. Between the 1820s and 1840s Mallock
obtained permissions to re-route roads away from his house, and by means of a tunnel under
the road and lodges on the re-made drives he sought to exclude the public from his grounds
and his view. The Tithe map of 1846, the year Roger Mallock died, shows the limited extent
of the changes achieved since 1801, and it seems that it was left to his son to finish the new,
but reasonably modest, parkland landscape setting to the Court.
The two lodges show the influence of the Village Picturesque and designs by Nash, George
Repton and pattern books by architects like P.F. Robinson
(187).
However the Mallocks did
not grasp the full picturesque potential of the village. In contrast to the Williams family at
Bridehead and Littlebredy, where barriers between the village and pleasure ground were
removed, and the village consciously remodelled as part of the landscape (188), Roger Mallock
deliberately removed the village from the Court's landscape and used lodges as part of a
barrier. Neither is there evidence that the rustic cottages (as at Selworthy Green, Somerset)
were remodelled to become more picturesque. Indeed, the later autotypes and family records
confirm that the rustic poverty of the villagers was real rather than romantic. Only the
relocated Almhouses were built afresh. The new landscape was picturesque, but the village
seems not to have played a major part in Roger Mallock's landscape.
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Through the later years of the nineteenth century the number of orchards was reduced and part
of the enclosed garden gave way to pleasure gardens by the 1860s. Contemporary descriptions
refer to the picturesque scenery and finely timbered character of the estate. By the 1870s the
grounds seem to have been overgrown and Richard Mallock and his family set about clearing
overgrown laurel and plantations, and replanting trees and rhododendrons. They also
refurbished the ponds in Hellinghay, re-made drives and walks, re-established vines and blew
up some cottages. The ruinous state of many of the cottages in the 1880s is proven but, by
then, Cockington was already becoming a tourist attraction for booming Torquay, and the
epitome of the cover to the Clotted Cream Fudge box.
4.7
The Twentieth Century
At the turn of the century the orchards and plantations had been further reduced and there was
a major sale of timber trees in 1917, probably as a result of death duties. An extensive fruit
farm was established by this time. Bert Germain’s memoirs recall the fine fruit grown on the
estate, as well as the beautiful flowers and shrubs in the dying years of the Mallock ownership
of Cockington. The Mallocks attempted to resist the rising tide of visitors and development
but finally gave way in 1932 selling the majority of the estate for development, the Trust
company transferring the Court and park to Torquay Corporation. The precise reasons for the
cessation of the Lutyens model village development remain unclear, but may reflect the
Trustees' realisation that the development conflicted with their stated aims to preserve the
character of the place. The Corporation then took over the core of the estate, but wider areas
were sold for development in 1939; it is some of these which now mar the village's setting.
After the war, the village was sold to the Prudential. Bert Germain was complimentary about
the Borough Council's management of the gardens, and this has been sustained since.
The village, however, had a more typically chequered career during the later twentieth
century, characterised by letting of cottages on long leases for either residential or tourist
business use; some disposals by sale; and, more recently, by progressive modernisation of
cottage gardens and conversion of farm buildings for residential use. This sometimes subtle
suburbanisation of the village landscape has been matched in the wider landscape by the
removal of hedgerows for the commercial fruit farm, prior to its abandonment; the loss of
working farms from the village, and their replacement by stables, extensive horse grazing and
abandonment of some fields to scrub.
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Torbay Council has recognised these problems, the erosion of the very landscape and historic
fabric which visitors come to Cockington to enjoy. Torbay Council and the Prudential formed
an active partnership to address some of the problems faced by the estate, and the Court, its
grounds and much of the vernacular architecture remains intact and the village is now
protected by Conservation Area status. The Council established the Coast and Countryside
Trust to improve conservation of the village and the landscape, and the Trust then
commissioned this report primarily to identify how the landscape setting can be reinstated and
sustained. The need to conserve the village is recognised by residents and businesses alike and
the Prudential reverted the remaining landlord rights to the village to the Trust in 2000.
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5.0
RESTORATION AND MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES
5.1
Opportunities and Constraints
Opportunity 1 - Trust Ownership
The transfer of the Cockington Estate to the Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust has
protected the estate and its historic landscape from pressures for disposal and development,
and provided the opportunity for more innovative restoration and conservation policies than
could be applied by a unitary authority. The nature of the Trust means that works to conserve
the historic landscape, to ensure its sustainability, and encourage its wider appreciation are
central to the Trust's purposes. While the benefits of operating at arm's length from a Council
can be overstated, at Cockington Trustees may be able to exercise landlord's consent, for
example, to strengthen and reinforce Conservation Area controls.
Opportunity 2 - Trust Capabilities
The Trust implements a range of conservation, access, training and development projects at
any one time.
Although newly established, it employs skilled and practical staff and
professional managers. It currently employs rangers, garden staff, an estates team. The
horse-drawn carriage service is provided by self-employed businesses as tenants of the Trust.
Opportunity 3 - The Heritage Lottery Fund
Funding opportunities for historic landscapes are extremely limited. Modest grant aid for
historic parks and gardens through DEFRA's Countryside Stewardship scheme is available
only in competition. English Heritage grant aid is not available to currently unregistered
landscapes like Cockington. The main grant aid of significance for today's historic parks and
gardens therefore is grant aid made by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The Heritage Lottery Fund
itself is facing increased competition for available grant monies. The potential availability of
funding for historic landscapes like Cockington does, nevertheless, represent a significant
opportunity. It is doubtful, for example, if this report could have been produced without the
support of the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Opportunity 4 - Development Opportunities and Changes in Tourism
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Development opportunities at Cockington offer scope for enhancement, for example, to
improve conservation of the Drum Inn; but development also generates risks. The balance of
risks and opportunities has to be appraised by the planning process and by the Trustees. One
advantage of Cockington's situation is that development opportunities are unlikely to be
unique; there is now little risk of buildings becoming redundant through lack of development
proposals. If one application is deemed inappropriate, further and subsequent proposals are
likely to arise, and the economic sustainability of proposals has to be a factor in appraisals.
The risk of ever higher levels of capital investment is that owners will expect higher returns,
either through business turnover or through the quality of residential facilities, such as
swimming pools. Arguably this process is already well advanced restricting the scope to
conserve a genuine character of rustic rurality.
To counteract this, changes in tourism are increasing the pressure on sites like Cockington to
upgrade the quality of facilities;
at Cockington, this has to include improving the
interpretation and experience of the historic village, gardens and landscape. This is, in itself,
a major opportunity to communicate about conservation to a very large audience.
Implicit in this is the need to balance residential and business activity in the village.
Businesses sustain local employment, visitor facilities and have an innate interest in
conserving the village's charm;
businesses also require advertising, visitor parking and
service vehicles. Residents bring life into the village, a sense of community and have an
inbuilt interest in preserving property values and condition; however, they also require
television aerials, garages, commuter routes and privacy.
The current balance between
residents and businesses is probably sustainable at present, but four elements of a more
diverse village community are considered to be missing at present:
•
there is a shortage of small farm buildings if the traditional agricultural landscape of
Cockington is to be restored, partly due to conversion for residential uses;
•
there appears to be limited provision of low cost housing for local workers;
•
there is no central open space or building for the community and visitors, other than the
grounds of the Court;
•
existing businesses in the village do not provide for a high quality craft outlet which also
reinforces the heritage and interpretation need to regain at least some of the character of a
working village. The use of the smithy to retail imported brasses is a case in point. The
focus of most craft activity has relocated to the Court.
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Constraint 1 - Long Term Leases in the Village
The length of business and residential leases in the village severely limits the scope for the
Trust, as landowner, to influence tenants, reduce rents or change direction. The Trust can
seek to minimise this constraint by enforcing what controls it does possess, and by seeking to
regain more direct control on key sites through acquisition.
Constraint 2 - Traffic
The flow of traffic through the village, at times, severely disrupts the public appreciation of
the village. Yet nearly every cottage and business needs access by vehicles. The challenge is
how to maintain access while, at the same time, improving the environment for visitors,
businesses and residents alike.
Constraint 3 - Horses
The traffic and access issue to the Court is partly resolved by an excellent and popular horsedrawn carriage service. However, a side effect of this is the need to pasture a significant
number of heavy working horses within easy reach of the Court. This, in turn, results in
overgrazing and poaching of pastures, damage to trees and hedgerows, the need for visually
intrusive fencing, and limits the scope for a Countryside Stewardship agreement.
The
alternative, to increase stabling, has animal welfare and cost implications. The answer to this
constraint has to involve a variety of initiatives, with some increase in stabling and feeding;
use of rotations and mixing with other livestock; hay cutting and topping; and identification
of intensively managed areas where overgrazing is acceptable.
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5.2
Statement of Importance
Section 4.0 above attempts to draw out what it is that makes the Cockington historic
landscape important. The parkland is not currently on English Heritage's register of historic
parks and gardens of special historic importance. However, the entire estate is important,
albeit that different parts are important for different reasons:
•
the archaeological importance of the medieval field system;
•
the landscape park of the 1750s is comparable with that at Dartington, part of a grade I
registered landscape, with the wall there now part of a proposed scheduled ancient
monument;
•
the picturesque landscape of the 1800s;
•
the later nineteenth century gardens overlying earlier and well documented mediaeval
garden archaeology and layout;
•
the very high levels of public access to the Country Park;
•
the landscape, economic and tourism role of the village;
•
the locally important vernacular architecture.
Although the surviving designed landscape alone is probably not of national importance, the
whole complex of the vernacular village, Court landscape, the early garden records, and the
very high levels of public access and interaction with the historic estate render it an asset of
at least regional importance, and a Country Park of national value.
5.3
Restoration Philosophy
On the basis of this analysis, it is proposed that the approach to the conservation of the
historic landscape should be as follows:-
i.
to conserve the many surviving parts of the historic landscape;
ii.
to restore damaged parts of the historic landscape to the best available evidence, and to
the last complete phase, wherever this contributes to the conservation of a wider
historic landscape;
iii.
to improve public appreciation of the true historic character, as well as the charm, of
the picturesque village;
iv.
to allow for the continuing vitality of the village community;
v.
to reinstate sustainable management of estate landscape.
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5.4
Conservation and Management Objectives
On the basis of the above analysis and philosophy, the following objectives for conservation,
restoration and management are put forward for consideration:
i.
to conserve archaeology and surviving historic landscape fabric of earlier landscapes in
situ including a probable fifteenth century layout of gardens and orchards, seventeenth
century warren, and eighteenth century deer park wall and Pleasure House, as informed
by archives and the 1801 map;
ii.
to conserve and enhance the historic character of the Court gardens and grounds by the
conservation and restoration of defining historic landscape features and areas, to the
last complete phase, based on available evidence, including the Ordnance Survey first
edition map;
iii.
to conserve and restore the wider traditional landscape, features and habitats through
improvements in management, maintenance and reinstatement, including surviving
historic field boundaries;
iv.
to conserve and enhance biodiversity primarily through the restoration of the traditional
landscape rather than by the creation of the new habitats, although accepting that most
of the new woodland areas do not harm the essential character of the landscape;
v.
to conserve and improve understanding of the built heritage of the village and Court;
many of the cottages may well incorporate fabric older than is recognised while others,
like the Gamekeeper's cottage, have a complex history of development. Encourage
lessees to participate in this through a vernacular building survey, advice and
publication;
vi.
to encourage the conservation and restoration of the historic character of the village
landscape, including private gardens, by appropriate boundary management, planting
and maintenance, and through the application of Conservation Area and landlord's
controls on development in accordance with the booklet Caring for Cockington;
vii.
to seek improvements to the setting of the village landscape through co-operation with
adjacent landowners and better integration by planting and hedgerow restoration
adjacent to areas of residential development;
viii. to reduce the conflict between traffic, pedestrians and the historic value of the village
landscape by seeking to exclude visitor and through traffic from the core of the village;
ix.
to continue to encourage appreciation, interpretation and intellectual access to the estate
landscape through publications, interpretation and events at Cockington;
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x.
to hold and display copies of key archival evidence for the historic landscape, and
improve public appreciation of the village, designed and traditional landscapes;
xi.
to continue to encourage free public access to, and appreciation of, the Cockington
landscape;
xii.
to seek funding and partnerships towards restoration and management projects
consistent with coherent priorities, phasing and a programme of works.
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6.0
GENERAL PROPOSALS
The proposals that follow are general proposals which have implications for the entire estate.
More detailed area-by-area proposals are considered in section 7.0 below.
6.1
Highway Access
Cockington is accessed via four unclassified public highways; Vicarage Hill, Totnes Road
and Cockington Lane, north and south. All four are historic routes, at least single track in
parts, only widened in the nineteenth century to allow vehicular access. Cockington Lane
also serves as a through route to some traffic, albeit unsuitable as such. Five options have
been considered:
i.
Do nothing.
Traffic volumes would continue to grow, harming businesses and
damaging the environment. Highways signage would increase in an attempt to control
traffic impact.
ii.
Relocating and enlarging the car park would only increase conflict between
pedestrians and traffic, as a larger car park would increase the site's capacity. Few sites
are potentially suitable for parking due to the topography.
iii.
Excluding traffic would require four traffic control points, with gated access for
residents and businesses which would require four car parks or turning areas, and not
preclude a certain amount of through traffic.
iv.
Zoned, restricted access would need a high level of policing and signage, and still not
exclude through traffic for residents.
v.
Blocked access at one point in the village would effectively exclude through traffic.
Remote parking would be required for visitors approaching from the south, and a
widened two-way route would be required for Cockington Lane north of the village.
Residential and service access would remain open, although timed service access may
be advisable. The restriction could be achieved with minimal impact on the village
landscape, as all signage could be relocated to car park points. A sketch scheme is
illustrated on the estate masterplan (appendix 5), and the proposals would require
Highway Authority consideration. However, it does reflect successful traffic calming
schemes in many small market town centres, and seeks to resolve similar issues.
Highway improvements are not eligible for Heritage Lottery Fund grants, but European
funding could be sought for the limited works necessary to Cockington Lane.
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6.2
Signage and Interpretation
The existing Trust signage is rather variably applied across the estate, and retains a number of
earlier Corporation and Borough signs. Highway signage is occasionally intrusive and some
redundant signs have not been removed.
The dominant signage is rather wordy brown on cream, but there are also routed timber,
cream on brown, gold on brown, black on white signs, with various or no emblems. No
permanent interpretation signs were noted, but paths are waymarked.
Garden and landscape signage should be avoided where possible, and prohibitionary notices
limited to car parks and problem areas. The earlier Borough signage using concise cream
lettering on brown is unintrusive, but also readily legible. In the wider estate oak waymarker
posts are considered appropriate. A new signage scheme is required, backed up by an annual
inspection, update and removal system. Car park signage needs particularly careful control,
and within the village highway signs should be reduced to reminder sizes, or the need avoided
by traditional surface treatments, appropriate to the reduced level of traffic.
Interpretation of the estate's history is limited mainly to the walls of the Court. Interpretation
is needed within the village as it is the starting point for most visitors;
this could be
supplemented by leaflets, to avoid the need for on-site interpretation, and to enable it to be
targeted at the different types of visitor. Part of the interpretation should also be active and
visual; the carriages provide part of this, but a working smithy and cider press would
significantly extend the range and appeal of interpretation.
6.3
Agricultural Management
More detailed proposals are set out in the area-by-area proposals, but certain issues occur
across the whole estate. Potential to improve the conservation and presentation of the historic
landscape arises from seven issues:
i.
the progressive loss of historic hedgerows through bank erosion and browsing by
livestock, and horses in particular;
ii.
the loss of hedgerows due to lack of periodic laying and maintenance;
iii.
intensive grassland management of areas with potential for habitat enhancement;
iv.
previous removal of historic hedgerows;
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v.
the abandonment of small fields and reversion to scrub;
vi.
the loss of small farm buildings;
vii.
the loss of the skills and resources needed to manage small pastures and orchards;
viii. the enclosure of footpaths and bridleways by visually intrusive fencing.
None of these issues are unique to Cockington, and most are familiar to other urban edge
farmland. To meet the objectives set out above, the following general works are proposed:
i.
Where hedgerows are to be reinstated, the full complex of ditch, bank, ditchwalling,
hedgelaying and planting, where necessary, with local provenance plants, including
hedgerow trees, should be adopted. Without this diversity of habitats, the full range of
wildlife and landscape benefits will not be achieved. Reinstatement should be preceded
by sample trench excavation and recording to archaeological standards, to inform detail
proposals.
ii.
Where necessary to reinstate abandoned pasture, meadow and orchard landscapes,
stock fences should be removed or relocated (for example, to the historic boundary),
scrub cut and grazing reintroduced.
iii.
Wherever feasible, stock boundaries should utilise the restored historic boundary bank,
ditchwall, and hedging, protected, if necessary, with a topwire or offset lightweight
wire fence, taking account of the larger size of modern farm stock.
iv.
Extensive, low input grassland management should be applied to areas of surviving
unimproved grassland and areas of higher potential, such as the meadow fields and only
partly improved grasslands, so as to regain habitat value over time.
v.
Surviving agricultural buildings should be repaired and retained in agricultural use, to
improve the estate's ability to remove horses from overgrazed fields, but also to allow
the establishment of a small sheep and/or cattle unit, preferably comprising traditional
breeds such as Devon longwool or shortwool sheep and North and South Devon cattle,
to graze small fields of no agricultural value, but of high landscape and environmental
value. This could be achieved through a contract grazier, Specialist Farm Business
tenant or directly with an employed stockman or woman.
vi.
The Trust should seek to remove fences from narrow fenced routes where feasible, and
generally to separate footpaths and bridleways. This may require some improvements
in bridleway surfaces and increased policing.
vii.
The Trust should seek a Countryside Stewardship agreement from DEFRA to support
these, and other, agri-environment initiatives.
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6.4
Woodland Management
Individual proposals for specific areas are set out under the area-by-area proposals, but a
range of proposals apply to the entire woodland estate.
i.
Vehicle access routes for timber extraction should avoid the loss of internal boundary
banks and earthwork features. Earthworks should be plotted on woodland plans to
ensure that they are known.
ii.
External woodland boundary banks should be protected and managed by hedgelaying,
biennial trimming, steeping up where necessary, and realignment of fence lines, so that
function is reinstated to the historic banks.
iii.
The secondary woodlands and plantations with mixed species should continue to be
managed as traditional landscape woodlands, with mixed species, to reflect the historic
record of the designed landscape.
iv.
The newer woodlands will require continuing thinning and pruning to establish lasting
semi-natural woodlands of value to wildlife, and capable of future viable management.
v.
As well as aiming for high quality woodland produce, the estate should aim to increase
production of naturally durable timbers, given increasing concerns about the
sustainability of chemically treated softwoods, in particular for use on the estate.
6.5
Waste Management and Recycling
Waste issues are a significant consideration on the estate because of:
•
the need to process and recycle garden arisings;
•
the need to process and recycle arisings from restoration works;
•
the location of the existing recycling area;
•
previous use of the quarry for waste disposal.
i.
The existing recycling and storage area occupies a large part of the possible mediaeval
garden site.
However, this use is both efficiently and discreetly located, and
established. It is therefore proposed that the existing estate compound be condensed,
upgraded and tidied for efficient use, but remain in the same general location.
ii.
Silt arising from pond repair works should be spread on adjacent upstream pastures
when they need to be reseeded, or used in partial infilling of the quarry prior to its
conversion to car park use.
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6.6
Archival Records
The existing archives are held and catalogued by the Devon Record Office, Local Studies
Library and other sources. New archive documents should be deposited with one of these
institutions, but the Trust should seek:
i.
to acquire digitised copies of key sources for use in interpretation and Trust
publications;
ii.
to display archival materials as part of the Trust's interpretation work, through displays
and exhibitions.
6.7
Funding priorities and programme
The proposals set out in this report represent a major investment in the conservation of
Cockington's historic landscape, but implementation will inevitably have to reflect the
priorities of a range of potential funding partners and also the nature of other opportunities
which arise. Three broad categories of proposals are identified:
i.
Improvements to key properties (in order of priority, the Linhay, millpond and mill;
the steep pasture overlooking the village and meadow farm; the Smithy; Lower
Lodge) will, of necessity, depend on the views of existing owners.
ii.
Heritage Lottery Funding support should be sought for priority heritage conservation,
interpretation and access work, in particular, for important features at risk, to reverse
the damage that can be readily remedied, and also to reinstate the historic landscape
over a five year programme.
iii.
Changes to agricultural and forestry management to conserve and repair rural and
vernacular features of regional and local interest can seek additional support through
the Countryside Stewardship and Woodland Grant schemes, over a five or ten year
programme.
iv.
Resolution of the traffic issues will be determined, in part at least, by the need to
identify external funding, and to secure planning and Highway Authority consent. This
may take five to ten years to achieve.
v.
The programme of volunteer and training activities will depend on the availability of
volunteers and trainees, and is likely to extend over the long term.
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7.0
AREA-BY-AREA PROPOSALS
7.1
Horse Barton and Farmland
History Field names include Great and Little Cockington Wood suggesting ancient woodland
site. Twenty two medium to large fields by 1801, implying some Tudor enclosure, plus a
strip orchard and small woodland. By 1864, twenty one fields, but one large field subdivided,
and three hedgerows removed from the smallest fields. By 1906, two of the lower fields were
incorporated into the fruit farm and a grove of trees extended by planting to form Fruit Farm
Copse. Since 1906, basically unaltered until recent times, when disposal of Cockington
Woods Farm and part of Stantor Barton and realignment of Marldon road, has brought the
boundary of the estate in. Also, loss of apple and elm trees in the valley bottoms has altered
the visual character.
Condition. Northern end under a full agricultural tenancy, under arable and improve pasture
use. Southern half mostly overgrazed by horses, with hedgerows either fenced or damaged by
browsing. Only the valley bottom paddock and scrub are noted as unimproved. Orchard site
overgrown. Horse Barton pre 1801, now ruinous and overgrown. Corner plantings of native
trees to three southern fields, and bridleway fenced in to field margins.
Proposals
i.
Restore damaged hedgebanks as a priority, to include steeping up banks, laying,
replanting gaps, and retaining hedgerow trees. Manage other hedges by side trimming
annually and laying on a ten year rotation. The notably species-rich and good condition
hedgerow is one trimmed annually bounding adjoining land.
ii.
Clear vegetation, repair and rebuild Horse Barton following a detail survey of the
surviving structure. Repair to conservation standards, but re-roofing with more modern
materials is acceptable to achieve a lightweight structure if necessary. Re-use as a
winter stock shelter and hay barn with enclosed paddock, to reduce damage to pastures.
iii.
The heavily altered landscape of the Fruit Farm fields are identified as intensively
managed areas for horse grazing. Other in-hand pastures should be grazed primarily by
sheep and cattle under the Countryside Stewardship scheme, including scrub
management works.
iv.
Rebuild hedgebanks where these survive in part, to reinstate enclosed fields in the
valley bottom.
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v.
Replant the historic orchard using locally traditional cultivars, along one of the estate's
circuit paths, and at the west end of the Fruit Farm.
vi.
Manage Little Cockington Wood as low intervention ancient semi-natural woodland.
Thin Fruit Farm Copse to favour longer-lived species.
vii.
Reroute the bridleway to a new alignment with gentler slopes; drain and surface the
new route. Remove fences from the old route and retain as a permissive path.
7.2
Fruit Farm, Orchards and Strip Fields
History. Twenty small strip fields, seven orchards, and one dwelling by 1801, reduced to
fifteen fields and the same seven orchards by 1864. Notably, the hedgerows of the still small
fields were then heavily wooded. In 1906 the new commercial Fruit Farm is shown, with
extensive glasshouses, a pair of cottages, Rosery Grange. All the earlier orchards had been
removed, and one large orchard formed, although eleven of the small fields survived. One
small shed had been removed, another built, and south-eastern dwelling recently demolished.
Condition. The eleven fields in 1906 survive, albeit two are now areas of scrub, but the main
change has been the complete demise of the Fruit Farm. Rosery Grange cottages are now
privately owned, and the Fruit Farm is a valley of horse grazed pasture, scrub, unfenced
hedgerows and glasshouse bases.
Proposals
i.
Restore damaged hedgebanks as a priority, to include steeping up banks, laying,
replanting gaps, and retaining hedgerow trees. Manage other hedges by side trimming
annually and laying on a ten year rotation.
ii.
Largely clear scrub within the surviving strip fields north of the Fruit Farm and manage
by grazing with sheep, cattle and, for up to five weeks each year, horses (to aid scrub
control), and late hay cutting of the more level fields, under Countryside Stewardship.
iii.
Replant the fields east of Cockington Lane as a traditional orchards with local varieties
of circa 1800 on standard rootstock at wide spacing. Drain and lay stone access tracks
to allow the use of the fields as overflow parking. Cut as a hay meadow, with late
season grazing by sheep or cattle.
iv.
The damaged Fruit Farm landscape is identified as an intensively managed area for
horse grazing. The glasshouse bases should be re-used for timber stables or polemounted winter shelters, with adjacent fenced paddocks to allow horses to be taken off
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the pastures. Reinstatement of the surviving hedgerows will allow rotational grazing of
the smaller paddocks, and a summer hay cut to the more level areas.
7.3
The Great Orchard
History. Possibly one of the medieval gardens of orchards included within the walled parts in
1747. Orchard in 1801, 1864 and 1906. Belt of pines to northern boundary in 1864.
Condition. Park wall largely intact, but only four old Scots pines survive. Orchard, and some
pines, recently replanted; few earlier trees survive. Grazed by sheep. Western boundary
fenced off for bridleway.
Proposals
7.4
i.
Manage under Countryside Stewardship.
ii.
Record and repair the park wall to conservation standards.
Warren Park
History. Included within the walled park in 1747. Disparked 1779. Eleven fields by 1801,
either side of the Totnes road. Nine fields and one orchard by 1864, with open grown
parkland trees north of the Totnes road, well wooded hedgerows along the lane, and defining
one field boundary. Eight fields, no orchard, by 1906. The western half of two fields sold to
Stanton Barton by 1993.
Condition. Most parkland trees lost since 1864, but north of Totnes road retains a parkland
character with some veteran and specimen trees including Turkey Oak (c.1820), Sycamore
and Ash dating to circa 1770, Horse chestnut, Oak, and Sweet Chestnut.
Two field
boundaries have substantial banks, implying re-use of the pre-park landscape. All closely
grazed pasture. Western half-fields under full agricultural tenancy. Fenced footpaths and
bridleways impinge on the landscape. Four field corners fenced off and planted with trees,
one with Sitka Spruce.
Proposals
i.
Seek a Countryside Stewardship agreement for the management of in-hand parkland
north of Totnes road.
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ii.
Replant lost parkland trees to the central two fields in accordance with the 1864 map,
using locally native oak. Encourage the farm tenant to allow replanting similar
within adjacent fields.
iii.
It is not proposed to recreate boundaries lost since 1906, which may only have been
laid out after 1779, but surviving hedgerows should be laid, steeped up and fenced as
a priority.
iv.
Corner plantings should be removed and the original boundaries reinstated.
v.
Fences bounding permissive footpaths should be removed, scrub cleared, and kissing
gates added where necessary.
vi.
Paddocks south of Totnes road could continue to be used as intensively managed
areas for horses.
vii.
Reroute the bridleway to a new alignment with gentler slopes; drain and surface the
existing footpath to serve the new function. Remove fences from the old route and
retain as a permissive path.
7.5
Cockington Court and Gardens
History.
Chapel by 1113, rebuilt thirteenth to fifteenth centuries.
Lord's Garden first
mentioned in 1436; hall, chamber, kitchen, gatehouse and stable in 1439, together with
Langegardyn and Southgardyn orchards, cut for hay. Higher, Middle, and Lower Gardens
and Lady's Court recorded in 1440. Orchards replanted 1449. Horses in the Lower Garden
1461. Court rebuilt 1577. Seven almshouses with herb gardens founded 1609. Ten acres of
gardens and courts at the Court in 1654. Apples, pears, and hops grown in 1657, and
vegetables noted in 1735. Cherry, Pleasure and Rosemary Gardens in 1737; Pigeon Court,
Folly Court and Plumb Garden in 1747; chestnuts, Green Court, vineyard and little house in
garden in 1749. In 1754 the Plumb Garden wall was removed, filberts and currants planted, a
grotto and the flower garden border mentioned. Orange trees noted in 1759.
… ruins of
old walls..forlorn in 1793, reflected in two views of the period, with a forecourt, low walls to
the garden, cottages and outbuildings. By 1801, a small park enclosed the Court, a garden
court to the rear and south, and a long quartered garden leading up the valley. Court reduced
in size in 1820. By 1864 the long garden had been divided in two and was an old orchard;
two new walled gardens had been inserted complete with a bothy. The rear garden court
remained, but the garden to the south had been opened out as a pleasure ground enclosing and
expropriating the church with a walk through church wood. Church walk itself was separated
and screened from the pleasure ground. New tennis ground above old croquet ground in
1881. Essentially unchanged by 1906, apart from two small glasshouses in the garden court.
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Court sold to Torquay Corporation in 1935, and suffered various uses until restored and
opened to the public in 1991. Rose garden new in 1960. Charming new cob bothy added to
walled garden, circa 1993.
Condition. Court in active use by the Trust, café franchisee and various craft businesses.
Garden Court restored as a rose garden and in generally good condition. The main walled
garden is a working organic demonstration garden. The lower part of the long garden is the
Court car park; the upper part, the estate compound, compost and recycling area. It includes a
polytunnel and sensory garden. The pleasure garden south of the Court is well maintained
and attractive, but visually incoherent comprising areas of shrubbery, some trees and levelled
lawns. The remains of a clairvoie to the west in overgrown by ivy and concealed by a hedge.
The forecourt is used as the café terrace and carriage halt, and is visually cluttered.
Proposals
i.
The Trust should prepare a condition survey, building analysis, conservation plan and
quinquinnial surveys for the Court and outbuildings to ensure that the building fabric
is adequately understood and interpreted given the high levels of public access to the
Court.
ii.
The estate compound should be reworked, partly by relocation of timber storage and
other activities to Warren Barn, partly by improved composting facilities.
The
potential garden archaeology has probably been destroyed by extensive cut and fill
levelling of the site into terraces, but works should include for survey and recording
of any undisturbed patches. The aim of the works should be to reinforce the visibility
of the historic boundary bank, restore surplus areas to original levels and manage as
grassland, with replanted standard fruit trees including varieties recorded at
Cockington and in the locality. The larger grass areas should be enclosed with split
oak or chestnut rails and used for a hay crop, overflow parking, and very short term
grazing. The visibility of estate equipment could be reduced, and be made more
efficient, by the provision of a new cob and tile equipment shed. An indicative layout
is shown on the estate masterplan, appendix 5.
iii.
The Court car park should continue to be used by staff, services and disabled visitors,
but landscaping should reflect its historic status. Some reworking of the earth banks,
and replanting with standard fruit trees for shade would reduce the visual impact of
the car park seen from uphill.
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iv.
The demonstration organic garden is an effective use of the walled garden. It could
supplement historic interpretation of the estate by replanting wall-trained fruit trees
recorded at Cockington, and relatively minor repairs to the bothy and kennels could
bring the area into better use. The cricket nets in the smaller north garden are only in
seasonal use, and this area should be brought into cultivation, possibly with bush fruit
for which Cockington was well known. Consideration should be given to relocation
of the cricket nets.
v.
The green court or walled rose garden is a popular quiet retreat, the main need being
to repair the fabric of the wall, small shed and upgrade some of the climbing plants.
vi.
Reinstate the outer face of the southern rose garden wall and shrubbery which has lost
the earlier more herbaceous character. Reinstatement of the path, main access, would
also conserve one of the main visual axes of the historic garden layout recorded in
1801.
vii.
The pleasure ground is a slightly unsatisfactory mixture of an early garden site with
formal shrubbery with large trees, after 1801; abandoned croquet and a small tennis
lawn terraced in, the latter in 1881; and some modern planting. As a palimpsest, no
particular surviving style can be said to be of great historic importance, but individual
features within are of interest. It is therefore proposed that this area be subtly
modified, primarily through adjustments to paths and planting, to re-emphasise the
role of surviving historic features, including the rose garden wall, axial walk,
clairvoie, croquet lawn and older trees; and to enclose the café bin area.
Reinstatement of the original wrought iron parkland railings would also redefine this
space. Works would include shrubbery maintenance, thinning and pruning, path
works, modifications to external lighting, repairs and railing the clairvoie, fencing,
and tree and shrub planting.
viii.
The forecourt is a popular and focal space, and the main need is to remove all
unnecessary clutter including plant sales trolley, surplus signage, trimmed bays and to
make good the carriage horses' water supply. The need for the second turning bay
could also be removed by a modest expansion and resurfacing to form a single, clean
sweep to the forecourt drive, with a plain resin-bound gravel surface. Given the
rather unsatisfactory architectural treatment of house wings, it is proposed to reinstate
some of the picturesque character simply by upgrading some of the wall planting, on
wires, to the wings only. Flood lighting should be recessed.
ix.
The carriage horse stable block is well sited and discreet, but two small garden
buildings within the walls are overgrown and partly swamped by infilling of the
adjacent roadway. These need detail investigation and survey to identify how they
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can be stabilised and re-used. Cider press equipment is currently stored in the open in
adjacent areas.
The Cider press should be brought back into use, as a visitor
attraction, living interpretation and demonstration, small business and as a means of
encouraging active management of local, traditional orchards.
x.
To ensure the role and productivity of volunteers and trainees, the Trust need to
provide adequate covered messing and training facilities. The Trust have identified a
first floor roof space to address these needs within the existing stable block.
Volunteers and trainees will play a significant role in implementing restoration of the
historic landscape.
7.6
Church Wood and Lawn
History. Pollard Elms in the fence at Churcheway in 1588. Almhouses established 1601.
Probably part of the fishpond gardens and little park in 1654, possibly including a dovehouse.
Park enclosed by 1699. Linney above the Church noted 1749. 30 acres..Oak Trees noted in
1753. Some of the 'modern' field names seem to first appear in 1779, and part of a close
adjoining the courtilage (which is called the Gren) referred to. ..old walls and trees..by a
little green in 1793, confirmed by illustrations, also recording outbuildings. Mapped in 1801
as a small wooded park except three enclosed fields to the south, orchard plots and almhouses
lying centrally, east of the lawn. Outbuildings removed 1820, Totnes road closure order,
1838, but no changes evident by 1846.
By 1864 Totnes road realigned, cottages and
almhouses demolished, green removed to extend planted lawn, with a mixed belt of trees
screening the outside world as well as the new millpond and sawmill, rustic lodge and
gateway added, together with a sunken drive linking the lawn to Hellinghay and the severed
Manscombe lane. Walk above church set within a new clump plantation and the southern
fields, two planted, brought into the lawn. New sunken drive to the rear of the court severed
part of the lawn or park; the western part remained parkland, but the eastern part was laid out
with orchards, possibly to compensate for those lost from the extended lawn. Works in
ChurchWood in 1879, reflected in new path shown by 1906, together with thinning out of the
northern belt. Trees felled to meet death duties 1917. 'Avenue' of Limes planted 1950, and
shrubs and cricket pitch added by 1960.
Condition. Mostly mown lawns with open grown trees. Iron railings removed. Belts
generally intact, ranging from overgrown with Laurel to replanted Monterey Pine. Modern
cricket pavilion sited out of the main view line. Popular, busy and well cared-for. Church
Wood paths somewhat overgrown, and modern planting has diluted some of the defined areas
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of belt and lawn. Bottom of the lawn seasonally wet, with a modern boardwalk. Historic
boundaries pre 1849 still visible as earthworks. Some brightly coloured Azalea and other
planting in the 'arboretum', previously 'yonder lawn'.
Proposals
i.
Maintain as smooth mown lawn, distinguishing previous woodland and belt areas, and
wildflower drifts in 'yonder lawn', by a later cut to encourage spring bulbs and
flowers.
ii.
While some diversification of the tree collection is acceptable, the flow of the
landscape would be harmed by excessive dotting of small trees. The site is not
considered suitable for development as an important arboretum, and tree planting
should therefore fall within the historic constraints of the designed landscape. Tree
planting on the lawn should therefore:•
be predominantly broadleaved and of large-growing species;
•
avoid obscuring the main open vistas shown on the masterplan;
•
use only native oak or beech, sparingly, if planting in historic locations on the old
field boundary;
•
reflect the historic pattern recorded in 1864.
Management of the existing modern tree plantings will include crown lifting,
selective thinning from designed vistas, and avoiding future replacement of trees
which contravene the above criteria. Denser, mixed planting should be focussed in
the previous belt and woodland areas.
iii.
Historic belts should be managed to achieve continuous cover of mixed species
available by 1864 (including Sweet chestnut, beech, oak, Holm oak, lime, Scots pine,
Silver fir), with a mixed ornamental understorey (laurel, holly, snowberry) and/or
long grass and bulbs.
Historic underplanting of laurels should be managed by
coppicing on a long rotation, say, 20 years, to allow for replanting trees in gaps,
especially beech.
iv.
There is no case to reintroduce grazing given the modern use for the site, but mowing
should be carried out right up to the historic boundaries.
v.
Church Wood would benefit from intensive weeding, pruning and path repairs to
make the fine specimen plants more visible.
vi.
Boundary hedgebanks around the outside of the area are in need of extensive
restoration works and periodic laying.
vii.
Ornamental shrub beds within 'yonder lawn' should be removed progressively when
they die back or cease to be of public appeal.
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viii
A perimeter belt walk in lawn or self-binding gravel would link surviving historic
paths, and encourage wider access.
ix.
Modern benches should be replaced over time by simple oak or chestnut slab benches,
to avoid visual intrusion and excessive formality in the wider landscape.
7.7
Manscombe Plantation
History. Free Warren granted 1352. Furzes and Connyes in 1659. Warren wall'd round by
1699. Wall in the Great Warren in 1747 adjoining Toby's house. The Warren had hutches
and gates. Repeated paling after 1750 in the accounts. Warren with a Pleasure House by
1753. Latter modified and repaired 1760-64 and new warren house in 1762. Walling repairs
1777-78. Leased out in 1793 with ruins of a Summer House (1794), mapped in 1801 as a
large field with Warren barn but no pleasure house. Plantation first mentioned 1817 with
walks. Old Totnes road closed 1839, but mapped 1846. By 1864, mapped as a mixed
woodland with walks, one square field and part of Warren barn roofless. Field added recently
as new planting.
Condition. Mixed mature plantation of Sycamore, larch, Japanese Red Cedar, Western Red
Cedar, Douglas fir, Beech, with more Oak, Scots Pine, Ash and Sycamore coppice on the
upper slopes.
Scattered specimen Horse Chestnuts adjoining paths.
New planting on
acquired field mainly native broad leaves, under active woodland management. Warren Barn
re-roofed, but yard unroofed, contrasting the 1864 situation. Boundaries to residential areas
subject to some flytipping. Earthwork at high point, site of quarry and building relict only.
Substantial double bank adjacent old Paignton road.
Broadleaved areas with richer
groundflora, including Butchers Broom and Allium adjacent the hilltop earthworks.
Proposals
i.
Continue to manage as traditional estate woodland, seeking to maintain pathside
ornamental specimen trees under the Woodland Grant Scheme. Avoid damage to
surviving earthworks during management works.
ii.
Stabilise and repair the surviving stone boundary wall to conservation standards.
iii.
Complete conservation works to Warren Barn following a condition survey, and reuse as an estate yard, rural skills training area, and/or camping barn.
iv.
7.8
Survey and record earthworks and building sites within the area.
Hellinghay Pleasure Grounds
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History. Hellinghay and the fishponds therein 0.7a in 1654. Pond fitted up by 1699. Warren
wall..from Toby's down to the next pond in 1747; possibly Gamekeepers Cottage, Timbering
little house in little Warren; also driving out mud from pond, 1749. 7 fishponds well stocked
in 1753. Elm plank for hellinghay pond, 1758, and ye boat for ye pond, 1762. Helenhay
orchard leased out 1794 except the ponds therein. Mapped in 1801 as orchards, the two
lower ponds, and an enclosed garden. …walks through Helen Hay to the bottom of the ponds,
Manscombe Barn and new gate through the back part of the Warren in 1817. New drive and
lower lodge after 1846, by 1864, by when also the orchards had been removed, plantations
laid out and upper pond added. Plantations included Laurels, Monterey Cypress, Magnolia,
Scots Pine, in 1878, when paths and steps were also cut around the ponds, a new outfall, and
Rhododendrons planted 1880. Snowdrops, and Daffodil 'Cernuus' noted 1881. Ponds cleaned
out 1883. Semi-natural garden noted in 1935. Torquay Corporation added flowering trees
and shrubs.
Condition. Site of the 'Strawberry Garden' now a mature mixed plantation of Oak, Sycamore,
Scots pine, Larch, Ash and Japanese Red Cedar. Boundary banks overgrown, including
Laurel.
Ornamental planting of Rhododendrons, Camellias, specimen trees including
Sequoias, Nootka Cypress, Japanese Red Cedar, Holm Oak, Beech Silver Fir, Yew, generally
somewhat overgrown, weedy, obscuring views; Paths in poor condition; ponds silted and
leaking, with extensive earlier concrete repairs.
Gamekeepers cottage previously fire
damaged and extensively repaired, now part used for interpretation, but not in good condition,
thatch overshaded.
Proposals
i.
Carry out a condition survey, recording and analysis of Gamekeeper's Cottage.
Repair to conservation standards, including rethatching, following thinning of
adjacent trees.
ii.
Reinstate the view to the Gamekeeper's Cottage by thinning specimen conifers and
coppicing of understorey.
Weed, thin out and prune ornamental tree and shrub
planting to favour best specimens, improving the presentation of specimens, and
maintaining the quality and layout of the circa 1880 wild garden. Identify and record
specimen plantings.
iii.
Reinstate the original west boundary of Hellinghay at the bottom of Manscombe
fields by returning the adjacent area to pasture, with laid hedgerows.
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iv.
Continue to manage the plantation area as traditional ornamental woodland, seeking
continuous cover without the loss of surviving earthworks.
Restore boundary
hedgebanks.
v.
Drain down, de-silt and repair ponds and their embankments in sequence, over a three
year period, to allow for silt to dry before excavation and carting. This work will be
visually disruptive, but can be controlled by limiting machinery access to one route
for each pond off the driveway. Repairs will include masonry works with hydraulic
lime mortar, bentonite and puddled clay to reduce leakages. Timber campshedding
will be needed where the original bank has eroded, as on the middle pond island.
vi.
Benches in this area should be limited to the distinctive ornamental Torquay cast iron
and timber benches which are in need of extensive restoration.
vii.
Surfaced paths need minor repairs, and unsurfaced paths will require cleaning,
exposure and resurfacing with a local self-binding gravel down to fines.
viii.
Ground vegetation along paths should be cut regularly; more generally, within 15-20
metres of paths and ponds, cut twice in July and September, to favour snowdrops and
daffodils.
7.9
Cockington Village
History. There is no reason to believe that the basic layout and structure of the village is other
than mediaeval in origin, the Domesday village of villagers and small holders. Monday fair
and market right granted 1352. Cider making was a significant business by 1439. Smithy
noted in 1615. Church House leased 1641, and several mills noted by 1654, in a village
landscape of cottages, small closes, barns, gardens, yards and orchards. Higher mill pool in
decaye, 1658 with 37 houses in 1659. 1680 Flower's Mill, Smythes shop and Nussery leased
out. Over 30 Orchards in 1766. Tanyard by 1773. Cottage and barn converted to two cottage
at Stonesground by 1775. Village described as scatter'd in 1793, mapped in 1801 with some
17 orchards dominating the village landscape, with fewer gardens, no millpond, and some 40
buildings. Road diverted around the tannery, now Lanscombe, after 1838, although not
altered by 1846. Finally, by 1864, extending the park landscape has removed the almhouses
to the present site and demolished fourteen other buildings, replaced only by four around
Home Farm, and the development of Lanscombe, upper and lower lodges. In the centre of the
village a new mill, sawmill, pond and linhay dominate, replacing orchards which otherwise
remain. Old House demolished 1879, proposed for replacement by two cottages (by 1906
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built adjacent Meadow Farm). Many cottages rustic, ruinous and beyond repair, covered in
roses and myrtles in 1884. By 1906 only two orchards remained in the village, and sawmill
extended as the timber yard. Sold to The Cockington Trust Ltd in 1932, who commissioned
Lutyens, although only the Drum Inn was built; sold on to the Prudential in 1946. Some
freeholds sold 1964, and long leases were sold in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Condition. Most properties held privately on very long leases, excepting the Almhouses,
Lower Lodge and Rosery Grange which are private freeholds. Sawmill now stump walls
only, having burnt down and out of use, the mill pond has suffered various repairs. Scattered
fruit trees remain only in several gardens. Some hedges either overgrown or removed; Lower
Lodge almost concealed by hedging and shrubs. Barns generally converted for residential
use. Cottages and Smithy in the centre of the village in retail use. Rose Cottage a major tea
room with garden shelters. Drum Inn thatch in poor condition. Private cottages generally
remain pretty mostly with traditional gardens and in good condition; none lost since 1906 and
only one new house built (Ridgefield). Central car park generally well contained by planting,
but village setting marred by some blurring and abandonment of pastoral setting to scrubland.
Proposals
i.
The Trust's controls on leases are understood to be restricted to those issues covered
by planning legislation; however, as a Conservation Area, these controls are
substantial. The Trustees and Torbay Council should both, and individually, seek
consistent and coherent application of these controls to conserve the fabric and
landscape of Cockington based on the guide Caring for Cockington. Only one
potential site for building was noted, on the site of the Old House demolished in 1879,
and not rebuilt. Such a new cottage, or pair of cottages, would allow for a twenty-first
century interpretation of cob and thatch, just as the twentieth century added the Drum
Inn and Ridgefield; the nineteenth century the new Almshouses and Lanscombe. It
would also allow for very limited housing for local people working in the village, but
would also justify archaeological excavation and recording of the Old House site.
There is no case for implementing any of the unfinished Lutyens Scheme, as the lack
of work other than the Drum Inn is considered to be important historical reflection of
the Trust's stated objectives, to preserve the ancient amenities and character of the
place…
ii.
Additional permanent car parking in the centre of the village should be resisted, due
to visual impact on the widespread and interlinking views and vistas which are a
major part of its charm.
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iii.
The Trust should seek to encourage a significant replanting of local orchard varieties
on standard rootstock, to restore the backdrop of thatch and blossom which once
characterized the village. This should be done by offering a not-for-profit service to
residents to plant, maintain, prune and crop garden trees, particularly as the skills
necessary are not widely held. In addition, the Trust should utilise apple trees in
landscape planting of car parks, verges and land owned by the Trust.
iv.
The Trust should seek to achieve landscape improvements to key leased properties
within the village and to provide active interpretation for visitors. The following
priorities have been identified:
•
The Linhay, Sawmill ruins, mill workings and pond, currently without a use,
and much visited but not understood or appreciated by visitors.
•
The mill buildings, currently unused, previously a café.
•
The Smithy, as a key visual and historic focus to the village, currently in retail
use, with an unused small garden previously an orchard.
•
v.
Lower Lodge, an integral part of the designed landscape.
The Linhay should be converted to provide covered visitor interpretation and
orientation located, as it is, immediately opposite the car park. The sawmill ruins
could provide a simple, enclosed public picnic area, linked to the mill pond and mill
wheel, both of which are interpreted, in poor condition and probably at risk.
vi.
The Smithy should be reinstated to working use for training, interpretation, use and
craft sales, only of works forged on site. The garden should be replanted as an
orchard.
vii.
The owners of the Drum Inn should be encouraged to lay out the garden area with a
simple orchard landscape, geometrically with axial vistas respecting the diagonal
'Lutyensesque' path and circular steps.
viii.
The owners of Meadow Farm should be encouraged to reduce overgrazing of their
paddock, and a proper manure system should also be provided in exchange for
seasonal overflow parking crossing their paddocks.
ix.
A not-for-profit service for planting and managing hedgerows could also be offered
by the Trust to residents, to encourage appropriate management of village
hedgerows.
7.10
Quarry Fields and Woods
History. Small valley-side fields by 1801, including notable fossilised strip fields, two small
orchards, crossed by the Old Paignton Road. Northernmost field part of Cockington Warren
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in 1823, partly arable in 1846. By 1864, strip field boundaries removed, quarry started, one
further orchard planted. One orchard converted to mixed plantation in 1878, another replaced
by 1906, with the steep fields dotted with scrub.
Condition. Old Paignton Road now a steep green lane footpath. Four small fields remain, all
with scrub invasion, over grazed by horses with unmanaged hedgerows, bordering residential
areas. Orchard and steeper fields now young, semi-natural scrub woodland, part quarried.
Quarry part infilled, with signs of rockfalls.
Proposals
i.
Inspect and stabilise quarry as necessary, and level up infilling using silt from
Hellingway ponds. Once secure, form hardcore surface and use as additional visitor
car park.
ii.
Bring all surviving hedgerows into management by laying and steeping-up.
iii.
Retain existing semi-natural woodland as native woodland, as part of the visual
enclosure of adjacent development.
iv.
Manage Lower Lodge plantation as ornamental woodland, repairing iron railing,
pruning rhododendron to expose the lodge, coppicing and pruning laurel and cleaning
out the roadside pool. Thin to favour ornamental trees (Sequoia, Cedars, and beech).
v.
Add simple steel handrail to steps from Old Paignton Road down to the drive.
vi.
Improve pasture management, particularly to the highly visible pasture adjacent to the
quarry.
7.11
Home Farm Meadows and Thornhill Brake
History. Narrow Valley bottom meadow (possibly Watercombe in 1654), valley-side strip
fields, two small orchards and Thornhill Brake woodland by 1801. Road diverted around
future site of Lanscombe after 1839, possibly removing a mill site. One orchard remaining,
but otherwise unaltered by 1864 with tree-lined fields. Thornhill brake replanted with pine
and spruce, 1878. By 1906, a sluice and leat are plotted, to control and flood the meadows,
but also apparently to feed field gutters in the easternmost fields.
Condition.
Northern boundary formed by highly visible housing. Fields and meadows
ungrazed, excepting easternmost. Meadows crossed by a stone path and boardwalk, with
some modern ponds, timber benches and ornamental planting. Fields generally with a scrub
invasion, hedges overgrown by trees lost. Meadow vegetation generally coarse grasses.
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Proposals
i.
The walk through the meadows is a popular but visually intrusive route to
Cockington, and does not reflect the historic character of the meadows.
The
challenge is how to retain the facility and appeal of the walk, which reinstating a
sustainable and rural character to this approach to the village.
The current
management is not sustainable due to conflict between pedestrians and cyclists on the
narrow boardwalk; flooding and deposition of the stream affecting created ponds;
visually intrusive modern woodwork; the development of a coarse grass vegetation in
the meadows; and the leakage and abandonment of the leat. It is proposed to achieve
the necessary change through phasing, restoring hedgerows, features and new
planting prior to the removal or non-replacement of modern ornamental planting,
signage and woodwork.
ii.
Hedgerow management has commenced at the eastern end, but needs to extend to all
field and other boundaries, including laying and steeping-up of banks, seeking to
minimise new planting.
iii.
While not intending entirely to screen out new housing, new edge trees should be
planted within substantial guards, at wide intervals, within the northern boundary.
iv.
Scrub invasion within fields should be controlled.
v.
The leat should be cleaned out by hand, leaks repaired with bentonite (powdered clay)
and, if possible, the two surviving field gutters reopened annually to water the field.
This is a notable and characteristically Devonian technique reflecting the lack of level
watermeadows, and the value of hay; its restoration on this site would be the only
publicly accessible working example if the channels through Thornhill Brake survive.
vi.
Manage Thornhill Brake as continuous cover mixed woodland.
vii.
Replant the orchard plotted in 1864.
viii.
Retain the historic course of the stream, clearing deposited gravels, where necessary,
for use on the pathway.
Make the roadside boundary stockproof, and cut the
meadows annually for hay in mid-July, removing the arisings, and graze the regrowth
lightly with cattle between September and December, without poaching. This regime
may need to be modified to improve sward diversity, and recreate a traditional
meadow grassland with early summer flowering plants.
ix.
Add two further pedestrian links between the roadway and meadow path, adapting
existing openings.
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Appendix 1
References
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Appendix 1
References
1. Torbay Council Sites and Monuments Register
2. Eckwall, E. 1960 Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-Names, fourth edition, Clarendon,
p114, 482
3. Thorn C and Thorn, F 1983 Domesday Book Devon, 20,10. Phillimore
4. Riechel O. 1918. Extracts from the Hundred Rolls of 3 Ed I . Transactions of the Devonshire
Association L, 371
5. Devon and Cornwall Notes and Queries 1936, 211
6. Seymour, D. 1977 Torre Abbey, 247-255
7. Lang J 1971, Old Cockington, WSL B/COC/0001/LAN, 26
8. Register of Listed Buildings Cockington Parish
9. Cockington Parish File, Torquay Local History Library
10. Burnet Morris Index, Cockington; Cary. Westcountry Studies Library
11. Barker, A. 2001 Cockington. Devon Life, vol 5, no11 60-63
12. Reichel, 1908, The Hundred of Haytor in the time of Testa de Nevil AD1244, Transactions of the
Devonshire Association XL,121
13. Devon and Cornwall Notes and Queries, 1938,324
14. Lang 1971,15-16
15. Mallock R 1895, Cockington before the Restoration. WSL B/COC/0001/MAL, p12-14
16. Harrison, F.1920 The Devon Carys. Devinne, p 62
17. DRO48/13/1/1/1
18. Harrison 1920, 104
19. Harrison 1920, 115
20. Dymond, R. 1881 The Manor of Cockington, 5-9
21. Harrison, 1920, 122
22. Mallock, R 1895, 19-22
23. Fox, H.S.A. 1996 Fishing in Cockington Documents. In ed. Gray, Devon Documents,76-81
24. DRO48/13/4/1/2
25. Lang, 1971, 23
26. Harrison, 1920,148
27. Harrison, 1920, 150
28. Thorn and Thorn 1985 Vol II, 51,12 note
29. Harrison, 1920, 166
30. DRO48/13/1/8/4
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31. Harrison, 1920 253
32. DRO48/13/1/1/3
33. DRO48/13/1/8/1
34. Harrison, 1920,225
35. Harrison, 1920,201
36. Dymond,1881, 10-13
37. DRO48/13/1/15
38. Pike, J. 1971 The Parish of Cockington
39. Rowe, M.M. 1975 Cockington Manor Wills, Devon and Cornwall Notes and Queries, vol l33,
No4, 109-113
40. Mallock, W.H. 1920 Memoirs of Life and Literature, 35
41. Harrison, 1920,263
42. DRO48/13/2/2/2
43. DRO48/13/2/2/9
44. DRO48/13/2/3/4a-b
45. DRO48/13/1/18
46. DRO48/13/1/1/9
47. DRO48/13/3/1/106
48. Lang, 1971,18
49. DRO48/13/1/1/12
50. DRO48/13/1/2/8
51. DRO48/13/1/1/13a-b
52. DRO48/13/1/1/19
53. DRO48/13/1/1/16
54. DRO48/13/1/1/15
55. DRO48/13/1/1/17
56. DRO48/13/1/1/20
57. DRO48/13/4/8/7/1
58. DRO48/13/1/1/21
59. Dymond 1881,3-4
60. Stoate, T. 1982 Devon Hearth Tax Return Lady Day 1674
61. DRO48/13/1/11/1
62. DRO48/13/4/2/6
63. DRO48/13/1/14
64. Mallock, WH 1920, 3-4
65. DRO48/13/4/2/7
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66. Prince, J 1701 The Worthies of Devon, 183-185
67. DRO48/13/8/12
68. DRO48/13/8/15
69. DRO48/13/4/8/11e
70. DRO48/13/3/2/21
71. DRO48/13/4/8/13c
72. DRO48/13/3/1/17
73. DRO48/13/1/14/3a-b
74. Nicholas Pearson Associates 2000, Dartington Hall Landscape Management Plan
75. DRO48/13/4/8/43
76. DRO48/13/4/8/44
77. DRO48/13/4/8/45
78. DRO48/13/4/8/47b
79. DRO48/13/4/8/48a
80. DRO48/13/4/8/48d
81. DRO48/13/4/8/40a-f
82. DRO48/13/4/8/64a
83. DRO48/13/8/4/62b
84. DRO48/13/4/8/65a-b
85. DRO48/13/4/8/72a-g
86. DRO48/13/4/8/65c
87. DRO48/13/4/8/67
88. DRO48/13/4/8/69
89. DRO48/13//8/70a-e
90. DRO48/13/4/8/71a-c
91. DRO48/13/4/8/13e
92. DRO48/13/4/8/73
93. DRO48/4/8/74-80
94. DRO48/13/4/8/16
95. DRO48/13/4/8/83
96. DRO48/13/1/14/7a-b
97. DRO48/13/4/8/90
98. DRO48/13/4/8/92 and 96
99. DRO48/13/4/8/108-109
100.
DRO48/13/4/8/85
101.
DRO48/13/4/8/91
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102.
DRO48/13/8/7/2
103.
DRO48/13/5/29/66
104.
WDRO69/M/616-619
105.
DRO48/13/6/7/9
106.
DRO48/13/3/1/78
107.
DRO48/13/4/8/107
108.
DRO48/13/4/8/110
109.
DRO48/13/4/8/114
110.
DRO48/13/4/8/116a
111.
DRO48/13/4/8/27b
112.
DRO48/13/4/8/144 and 159
113.
DRO48/13/3/1/61b
114.
DRO48/13/3/1/69
115.
DRO48/13/3/1/91
116.
DRO48/13/3/1/119
117.
DRO48/13/4/8/134
118.
DRO48/13/4/8/156
119.
DRO48/13/4/8/142
120.
DRO48/14/4/8/158
121.
DRO48/13/4/8/159
122.
DRO48/13/8/1/12
123.
Polwhele, R 1806. The History of Devonshire, 489-490
124.
DRO48/48/13/2/13
125.
DRO48/13/3/2/14
126.
Harvey, J. 1974 Early Nurserymen, 88, 130
127.
Harvey, J. 1974,102
128.
DRO48/13/7/2/3
129.
DRO48/13/7/2/14
130.
DRO48/13/3/2/19
131.
Swete, J, 1793 Journal 6, DRO564M F4
132.
Gray T. ed 1998 Travels in Georgian England II, 27
133.
Lang 1971, 23-4
134.
Mallock, W.H. 1920,10-12
135.
Vancouver, C. 1808 General View of the Agriculture of the County of Devon, p39
136.
DRO48/13/3/2/22
137.
DRO48/13/4
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138.
DRO48/13/4/2/68
139.
DRO48/13/3/1/72
140.
DRO48/13/3/1/82
141.
DRO48/13/3/1/83
142.
Mallock, W.H. 1920,32
143.
Elizabeth Emily Mallock c 1900, memoir in private collection; notes supplied by Susan
Trebilco
144.
DRO48/13/4/2/69
145.
DRO48/13/3/2/23a-b
146.
DRO48/13/1/4/42
147.
DRO48/13/3/2/22
148.
DRO48/13/4/2/734a-h
149.
Cherry, B and Pevsner, N. 1991 The Buildings of England: Devon, 834
150.
Tithe Maps Cockington and Marldon Parishes, Devon Record Office
151.
White, W 1850 History, Gazeteer and Directory of Devonshire, 228
152.
Lang, 1971,38
153.
Mallock, WH, 1920,36
154.
Post Office Directory, Devon 1861, 767
155.
POD, Devon 1869,92
156.
POD, Devon 1878,129
157.
Arthur Mudge Diaries, private collection, copy by courtesy of Susan Trebilco
158.
Western Morning News, 27 November 1931
159.
WMN 2nd December 1931
160.
Pike, J. nd The Beautiful Village of Cockington –leaflet
161.
POD, Devon 1883,103
162.
Mallock W.H. 1920, 37
163.
POD, Devon 1890,238
164.
DRO48/13/4/2/77
165.
POD, Devon 1919
166.
Hoskins, W. 1992 Devon. Commemorative edition, Devon Books, 501-3
167.
Western Morning News 2 August 1929
168.
The Times 4 December 1931
169.
The Times 3 December 1931
170.
POD, Devon 1930
171.
Western Morning News 27 November 1931
172.
The Times 2 December 1931 + 3 December 1931
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173.
Lang 1971, 29-30
174.
Western Morning News 14 May 1932
175.
Paignton News 31 October 1934
176.
Illustrated guide to the Cockington Estate 1935, 12
177.
The Times 14 February 1939
178.
Western Morning News 10 February 1939
179.
Mallock, W.H. 1920, 28
180.
Sales Particulars Westcountry Studies Library px.333.33 COC/WAY, p5
181.
Western Morning News 20 october 1946
182.
WMN 7 October 1946
183.
WMN 1 November 1946
184.
Lang 1971, 30
185.
Bert Germain, nd, Memoir, private collection, courtesy of Susan Trebilco
186.
Richardson, D.1994, Public Parks and Gardens. In Pugsley,ed Devon Gardens, 157
187.
Robinson P.F. 1833 Rural Architecture, or a series of Designs for Ornamental Cottages,
1823; Designs for Village Architecture, being a Series of Designs illustrating the
Observations contained in the Essay on the Picturesque by Sir Uvedale Price, 1830; Designs
for Lodges and Park Entrances.
188.
Nicholas Pearson Associates, 1994. Bridehead and Littlebredy Historic Landscape
Survey and Restoration Plan.
189.
WDRO ACC 81/x 36
190.
Susan Trebilco, pers. comm. 2000
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Appendix 2
Listed Buildings Entries
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Appendix 3
Artefact Schedule
Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust
Coc. 802
84
NICHOLAS PEARSON ASSOCIATES
Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust
ARTEFACT SCHEDULE
Photograph
No.
1
Item
Gamekeepers Cottage.
Status
LBII
Date
(conjectured)
(pre 1747)
In need of thatching and
Restored 1991
conservation work.
Condition and Notes
C17th?
2
Lanscombe Farm.
LBII
Pre 1801
Private.
3
School House.
LBII
Pre 1801
Private/Retail. Good.
Garden not cottage
style.
4
Orchard View.
LBII
Pre 1801 (early
Private.
C17th)
5
Home Farm.
LBII
Pre 1801 (early
Intrusive roof.
C17th).
6
Almshouses.
LBII
Pre 1864 (1840)
Good.
Figure 12
Higher Lodge.
LBII
Pre 1846
Good.
Figure 12
Lower Lodge.
LBII
After 1846
Private. Views
obscured.
Figure 13
Higher Cottage.
LBII
Pre 1801 C17th
Private. Good.
century
Figure 14
Lanscombe Cottages.
LBII
Pre 1801 (mid and Private. Good.
C17th)
7
Meadow Farm
LBII
Pre 1801 C17th
Private. Good.
-
Pre 1801 and later
Private. Variable.
extensions
Manure slurry on road.
Cottages.
8
Meadow Farm.
9
Meadow Thatch.
LBII
Pre 1801
Private. Good.
10
The Old Granary.
LBII
Pre 1801
Private/retail. Good.
Adjacent gateway thatch
weathered.
11
Lanscombe House.
LBII
Pre 1864
Private/hotel. Good.
12
Home Farm barn.
LBII
Pre 1801
Private. Poor external
detailing of conversion.
13
Lanscombe Farm barn
Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust
Coc. 802
LBII
After 1864
85
Private. Loss of
NICHOLAS PEARSON ASSOCIATES
Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust
Photograph
No.
Item
Date
(conjectured)
Status
conversions.
14
Lanscombe Farm barn
character.
LBII
After 1864
conversions.
15
Lanscombe Farm barn
Lanscombe Lodge
Private. Loss of
character.
LBII
Pre 1801
conversions.
16
Condition and Notes
Private. Loss of
character.
LBII
After 1864
Private. Good.
LBII
Pre 1801 (C18th)
Private/tea rooms.
(SMR 14719
Altered garden
C17th)
character.
Pre 1864
Poor. Unused. Thatch
Cottage.
17
18
Rose Cottage.
Mill Café.
LBII NMR
602192
19
Sawmill site.
(LBII)
poor.
"
Ruin only, with stump
walls.
20
Mill site.
(LBII)
"
Ruin only. In need of
stabilisation works.
21
Linhay.
LBII
"
Poorly modified,
unused.
22.
Mill wheel.
LBII
Dated 1878
Derelict. In need of
conservation works.
23
24
Forge.
Weavers Cottage and
LBII
Pre 1801 on early
Generally good. Private
site.
retail. Garden unused.
LBII
Pre 1801 (C18th)
Private. Good.
LBII
1935
Pub. Thatch to rear and
Hill Cottage.
25
Drum Inn.
pub garden poor.
26
Higher Lodge Gates.
1927
Replacements for the
earlier version.
27
Steps.
(1930s)
Uneven, brick
28
Mill Pond.
(LBII)
Pre 1864
Poor modern repairs
29
Pond Wall.
(LBII)
Pre 1864
In need of maintenance
30
Mill Steps.
LBII
c. 1935
Sound. Of a pair.
31
Car Park.
Modern
Well enclosed if lacking
in charm.
Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust
Coc. 802
86
NICHOLAS PEARSON ASSOCIATES
Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust
Photograph
No.
32
K6 Telephone box.
33
Cockington brook.
Item
Status
LBII
Date
(conjectured)
1935
Good.
-
Grazed, weedy, some
Condition and Notes
litter.
34
Iron railings.
Pre 1864
In need of repair.
35
Oak post signage.
Modern
Rotting. Poor legibility.
36
Borough signage.
Modern
Overgrown.
th
th
Figure 12
Cockington Court.
LBII*
16 -19 century
Intact.
37
Site of Almshouses,
NMR 446394
Archaeology
Drainage inspection
spring and leat to mill
needed.
pond.
38
Church Walk.
-
Pre 1864
Intact. Bank adjacent
SMR 19477.
39
Benches, weeping
-
Modern
Visually intrusive.
birch and overgrown
bay in containers.
40
Forecourt and signage.
-
"
"
41
View from Pavilion.
-
"
Contrast with figure 7,
loss of trees to left of
Court.
42
Azaleas in the
-
"
Popular.
arboretum.
43
Tennis Lawn.
-
1881
Path poor. Not used.
44
Binstore, south of
-
Modern
Visually intrusive.
court.
45
Pets cemetery.
Late 19th century
Intact.
46
Cider Press.
Unknown pre
Good.
1934
47
Stables.
Modern
Intact.
48
Granite trough.
Unknown
Relocated in 1985.
49
Part Granite trough.
Unknown pre
Relict.
1934
50
Bothy.
Pre 1864
In need of maintenance.
51
Garden Store.
Pre 1864
Ruinous.
Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust
Coc. 802
87
NICHOLAS PEARSON ASSOCIATES
Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust
Photograph
No.
52
Kennels.
Date
(conjectured)
Pre 1906
Intact.
53
Walled garden.
Pre 1801
Cob bothy modern.
54
Stables/coach house.
Pre 1801
In craft use.
55
Gate way to meadow.
Modern
Intact.
56
Old lane.
Pre 1801
Public footpath.
57
Culvert.
Pre 1801
Evidence of blockages.
58
Hedgerow.
Pre 1801
Recently replanted.
59
View towards
N/a
Note field gutters.
Item
Status
LBII
Condition and Notes
Thornhill Brake.
60
Shelter.
Modern
Intact.
61
Entrance gate and
Modern
Timber replacement of
signage.
iron gate.
62
Watermeadow sluice.
Pre 1864
Relict.
63
Wildlife pond.
Modern
Visually intrusive.
64
Boardwalk.
"
"
65
Stepover stile.
Unknown
Relict.
66
Granite footbridge.
Modern
Intact.
67
Wildlife pond.
Modern
Intrusive.
68
Exposed culvert.
Pre 1864
At risk.
69
Meadows, general
Modern
Undergoing change to
view.
landscape.
woodland. Note path
width.
70
Gateway, Lower
LBII
Pre 1864
Intact.
-
Unknown
At risk from erosion.
Lodge.
71
Old Paignton Road
stepping stones.
72
View.
-
-
Intrusive.
73
Iron railing.
-
Pre 1864
Largely intact.
74
Timber stiles.
-
Modern
Intrusive.
75
Totnes road bridge
LBII
Pre 1864
Good.
-
"
Modern replacement.
over drive.
76
Warren gate.
th
77
Warren bank.
-
(18 century)
Archaeology.
78
Park Wall.
-
(1747)
Poor condition.
Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust
Coc. 802
88
NICHOLAS PEARSON ASSOCIATES
Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust
Photograph
No.
79
Item
Part wall and drive.
80
Warren barn.
81
Park gateways.
Date
(conjectured)
Status
-
"
Part lost.
th
LBII
Condition and Notes
(18 century)
Part restored.
(1747)
In need of
consolidation.
82
Upper park.
-
Trees dying back.
83
Stonefaced bank.
Pre 1801
Intact.
84
Bridleway.
Modern
At its worst.
85
Garden gateway.
Pre 1801
Stile modern.
86
Park wall.
(1747)
Modern repairs.
87
The orchard.
Pre 1801
Modern replanting.
88
Park Wall.
(1747)
Modern repairs.
89
Signage.
(c. 1960)
Attractive.
90
Well head.
Pre 1864
In need of repair.
91
Church Wood Walk.
Pre 1864
Poor.
92
Park gates.
(1747)
Concrete block
replacement.
93
Court bins.
Modern
Mix of styles.
94
Car park steps.
"
Inaccessible.
95
Car park signage etc.
"
Intrusive. Note
Cockington Light (c.
1935).
96
Cockington Court
Modern
Intrusive.
entrance signage.
97
Totnes road.
Post 1846
Good.
98
Gateway off 97.
Post 1846
Good.
99
Spiked overthrow to
Post 1846
Relict.
98.
100
The drive.
"
Slightly overgrown.
101
Lower pond
Pre 1801
Modern modification.
embankment.
102
Lower pond.
"
103
Middle pond.
"
Island added by 1864.
Shrubberies overgrown.
Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust
Coc. 802
89
NICHOLAS PEARSON ASSOCIATES
Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust
Photograph
No.
104
Item
Date
(conjectured)
Status
Middle pond
"
embankment.
105
Condition and Notes
Leaking. Intrusive
repairs.
Park benches.
(1890s)
Torquay costings.
Poorly repaired.
106
Park benches.
107
View to gamekeeper's
-
Modern
Ghastly.
Modern
cottage obscured.
108
Park wall.
(1747)
In need of stabilisation.
109
Bridleway.
Modern
Enclosed.
110
Horse grazed hedges.
Pre 1801
At risk.
111
Horse.
-
Low environmental
value.
112
Horse barton.
Pre 1801
Relict
113
Water trough.
Pre 1906
Intact.
114
Green lane.
Pre 1801
"
115
Cockington lane.
"
"
116
Site of barn.
"
Archaeology.
117
Site of Fruit Farm.
Pre 1906
Relict.
118
Site of Fruit Farm.
Pre 1906
Relict.
119
Earthwork.
Unknown
Archaeology.
120
Warren Wall.
(1747)
121
Axial Walk.
Pre 1801
Poor.
122
Bench, trough and bin.
Modern
Poor.
123
Green court wall.
LBII
Pre 1801
In need of repairs.
124
Rose garden.
LBII
(Late C17) pre
Good.
1801 site
125
Clair voie.
126
(LBII)
Pre 1801
Overgrown.
Estate compound.
Modern
Intrusive.
127
Cockington Lane.
Pre 1864
Intrusive use of herbs.
128
Cockington Lane.
Pre 1864
Intrusive use of herbs.
129
Entrance to the Drum
1935
Vehicle damage.
inn.
130
Dovecote.
"
Relict.
131
Bank to plantation
Pre 1864
Archaeology.
Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust
Coc. 802
90
NICHOLAS PEARSON ASSOCIATES
Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust
Photograph
No.
Item
Status
Date
(conjectured)
Condition and Notes
screen.
132
Cricket pavilion.
Modern
Acceptable.
133
Steps.
Pre 1864
Uneven but attractive.
134
Iron gate.
(c.1880)
In estate yard.
Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust
Coc. 802
91
NICHOLAS PEARSON ASSOCIATES
Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust
Appendix 4
Estate Masterplan
Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust
Coc. 802
92
NICHOLAS PEARSON ASSOCIATES
Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust
Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust
Coc. 802
93
NICHOLAS PEARSON ASSOCIATES