Chambercombe Manor facts for kids
Quick facts for kids General information |
|
|---|---|
| Type | Manor house |
| Architectural style | Norman |
| Town or city | Ilfracombe, Devon |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Completed | 11th Century |
| Owner | Privately owned |
Chambercombe Manor is a really old manor house located near Ilfracombe, Devon. It was built in the 11th century, which means it's over 900 years old! This amazing building is designed in the Norman style. It was even mentioned in the Domesday Book, a famous survey from way back in 1086.
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The Story of Chambercombe Manor
Chambercombe Manor has a long and interesting history. For many years, it belonged to the Champernon family. They owned the manor until the 15th century.
After that, the manor was passed down through several different families. This continued until 1979. At that time, it was given to a group called the Chambercombe Trust.
The Chambercombe Trust
The Chambercombe Trust was a special group. It was a registered charity, which means it worked for the good of the public. The Trust took care of Chambercombe Manor and its beautiful grounds.
Their goal was to make sure visitors and the local community could enjoy the manor. They managed it for many years, keeping it open for people to explore.
A New Chapter for the Manor
In January 2023, the Trust made an important announcement. They decided to sell the property. This was a difficult decision for them.
They explained their reasons in January 2024. It had become very hard to pay for the manor's upkeep. The building was old, and repairs were expensive. Also, they had to follow many rules and regulations.
Because of these challenges, they felt they had no choice but to sell. The sale was completed in December 2023. With the sale, Chambercombe Manor went back to being privately owned. This means it is no longer open to the general public.
Future Plans for Chambercombe Manor
In January 2024, the new owners shared their exciting plans. They have started a two-year project to restore the manor. It is a Grade II listed building, which means it's a very important historic site.
They are working closely with local authorities. They are also partnering with Historic England. This group helps protect England's historic places.
Restoring the Building
The owners plan to bring much of the property back to its original look. They will remove any changes that were made over the years that don't fit the historic style.
Some smaller buildings on the property, like Wisteria Cottage, will also be fully repaired. These buildings had problems with water getting inside in the past.
Caring for the Grounds
Throughout 2024, a lot of work will be done on the large grounds. The goal is to make the gardens beautiful again. They want to bring them back to their former glory.
The new owners also plan to study the plants and animals living there. They want to work with a woodland organization. This will help them create a long-term plan for managing the manor's woodlands.
Future Public Access
After all the restoration work is finished, there's good news! The owners hope to make some of the holiday lets available. These are places where people can stay for a vacation.
They also hope to occasionally open the gardens for special events. This means that even though the manor is private, the public might still get to enjoy parts of it sometimes.
