Chambercombe Manor facts for kids

Chambercombe Manor, a historic Tudor house.

Chambercombe Manor is a very old farm house near Ilfracombe, in Devon, England. It was built a long time ago, around the late 1400s or early 1500s. This house is a great example of Tudor architecture, which was popular during the time of the Tudors in England.

The manor was first designed with three main rooms and a passage connecting them. Over the years, more parts were added, like extra wings and other buildings used for farming. Inside, you can find special features, such as a very old and well-kept floor made of lime ash in the main hall. There's also a unique raised area in the hall. The house has a double courtyard, which is rare for old farmhouses and small manor homes.

Discovering Chambercombe Manor's Past

For a long time, people thought Chambercombe Manor was mentioned in the Domesday Book, a famous survey from the 11th century. They also believed it was built much earlier. However, recent studies of the building show that it was most likely built in the late 1400s or early 1500s. Different parts were added to the house over many centuries.

Early Records and Owners

The first official record of the manor is from May 1439. At that time, a bishop named Edmund Lacy gave permission for people to hold church services inside the manor.

The name "Chambercombe" suggests a link to the Champernon family. But it's thought they never actually lived there. They had other large homes in different places. Even without written proof, they might have owned the land when the manor was first built. Through marriages and sales, the manor passed through several important families. These included the Herles, Bonnevilles, and Greys.

The first owners we have clear records for are the Georges. They sold the property to the Harper family in 1676. You can still see the Harper family's special symbol, called a coat of arms, in a plaster decoration in one of the upstairs bedrooms.

After the Harpers, the Vye family owned the manor in 1701. Then, the Gilbert family took over in 1883. There's a gap in the records after that. Around 1910, it was owned by a group of families: the Stapleton, Loze, Goodman, and Pincombe families. Finally, the Hayward family bought it in 1972.

From Farm to Tourist Spot

In the early 1900s, Chambercombe Manor started to change. It began offering rooms and food to tourists and travelers. By the mid-1900s, it became a popular tourist attraction with its own museum.

As it became a tourist spot, many exciting stories began to spread about the manor. People talked about smugglers, secret tunnels, and even skeletons hidden in rooms or under floors. There were tales of ships' timbers being used in the building, secret hiding places for priests, and even royal visitors. Some people even believed the manor was haunted!

However, none of these exciting stories are actually true. Chambercombe Manor has a fascinating history all on its own, without needing any made-up tales. Its architecture and the families who lived there tell a rich story. It is a beautiful estate, surrounded by stunning grounds.

Changes in Ownership and Public Access

In 1979, the Hayward family transferred ownership of Chambercombe Manor to the Chambercombe Trust. This Trust was a charity that managed the manor and its grounds as a place for tourists to visit. The Trust continued this work for many years.

In early 2023, the Trust announced that it had decided to sell the property. They explained that it had become very difficult to pay for the upkeep of the old building. The costs of maintenance and following building rules were too high. So, they had to sell the property. The sale was completed in December 2023.

With the sale finished, Chambercombe Manor and its grounds returned to being privately owned. This means it is no longer open to the general public for visits.

What's Happening Now at Chambercombe Manor

Since January 2024, the new owners have been working on a big two-year project. They are carefully restoring the historic building to turn it back into a private home. This project involves working closely with local authorities and Historic England, which helps protect old buildings. A team of local experts, including architects and archaeologists, is helping with the work.

As part of the restoration, many changes that were made to the property over the years are being removed. The goal is to bring the building back to how it originally looked.

Throughout 2024, a lot of work was also done on the large grounds around the manor. The gardens, ponds, and woodland are being brought back to their former beauty. The new owners are studying the plants and animals that live there. They are also working with a woodland organization to plan how to care for the woods for a long time.

It is hoped that after all the work is finished, some of the holiday rental properties on the estate will become available again. There might also be occasional events in the gardens that the public can attend.