Cadhay facts for kids
Cadhay is a very old and special place in Devon, England. It is about 10 miles east of Exeter and 5 miles from the sea at Sidmouth. The main building, called Cadhay House, is a beautiful Elizabethan house. It is about 1 mile north-west of Ottery St Mary village. This house is so important that it is a grade I listed building. This means it is protected because of its history and beauty.
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History of Cadhay House
Cadhay House was built around a central courtyard. It has large grounds all around it. The house was built in 1550 by a man named John Haydon. He was a lawyer and an important person in his community. John Haydon's family was well-known in Devon.
Building the House
John Haydon built Cadhay House on the site of an even older house. He kept the great hall from the original building, which was built around 1420. This shows how old parts of the house truly are! John Haydon married Joan Grenvill, whose family owned Cadhay before them. John Haydon did not have children. So, he left the house to his great-nephew, Robert Haydon.
Robert Haydon added a "long gallery" to the house. This was a popular feature in large houses during the late 1500s. This new part closed off the south side of the house. It helped create the courtyard you can see today. The people who lived at Cadhay House have always had a close connection with the local church in Ottery St Mary.
Changes Over Time
By 1737, Cadhay House needed a lot of repairs. A new owner, Peere Williams, decided to fix it up. He changed the house to the Georgian style, which was popular then. He covered up many of the old Tudor fireplaces. He also added wood panels to many rooms. He put a new ceiling in the Great Hall. This created the dining room and a room above it.
During the 1700s and 1800s, the house was sometimes split into two homes. It also fell into disrepair again. In 1910, a man named Dampier Whetham bought Cadhay. He uncovered the old Tudor fireplaces. He also made sure the house was strong and safe again. In the 1920s, he rented the house to the William-Powlett family. They bought the house in 1935 and lived there until 2002.
Modern Restoration
In 2002, Rupert Thistlethwayte inherited Cadhay House. He is a furniture maker and a nephew of the last William-Powlett owner. He worked hard to bring the house back to its former glory. He also added modern comforts like heating and extra bathrooms. He even added some of his own modern furniture designs. These pieces fit well with the antique furniture already in the house.
Famous Statues
Inside the courtyard of Cadhay House, you can see four special statues. These statues were made in 1617. They stand above the doors in the courtyard. They show four important English rulers from the Tudor period:
- King Henry VIII
- King Edward VI
- Queen Mary I
- Queen Elizabeth I
These statues are a real treasure of Devon, as described by Sir Simon Jenkins in his book England's Thousand Best Homes.
