Kelly House, Devon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kelly House |
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| Type | country house |
| Location | Kelly, Devon, England |
| Built | 16th to 18th centuries |
| Architect | Abraham Rundle |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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| Official name: Kelly House | |
| Designated | 14 June 1952 |
| Reference no. | 1318194 |
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Kelly House is a very old and important country house located in the small village of Kelly, in Devon, England. It's known as a "Grade I listed building," which means it's a super important historical place that needs to be protected.
The Kelly family has owned Kelly House for a very long time, since about the year 1100! Some parts of the first house, built in the Middle Ages, are still there. But they were changed a lot later, especially in the Tudor style. In 1742, a new part called the west wing was added. It was built in the Georgian style and had beautiful parkland around it. The newest part, the north wing, was built in 1877.
In the 1900s, some of the land was sold, and the house started to fall apart. But today, members of the Kelly family still live there. They even open some rooms for people to stay in, like a bed and breakfast!
Contents
A Look at Kelly House History
Kelly House has a long and interesting past. Over the centuries, it has changed and grown.
Life During World War I
During the First World War, Margaret Kelly, who lived in the house at the time, wrote a diary. Her diary tells us what life was like in the house and the village during the war. It even shared details about how the house was managed every day.
The Village Drama Society
After the war, Mary Kelly started something special called the Village Drama Society. This group was based at Kelly House from 1919 until about 1925. They probably put on plays and shows, bringing fun and entertainment to the community.
Saving Kelly House
For a while, the house needed a lot of repairs, especially its roof, which was leaking. Because of this, it was put on a list of buildings that were "at risk."
Luckily, parts of the house have been fixed up. Students from Kelly College even helped with some of the work! Now, some areas of the house are open for people to visit on guided tours. Since 2013, you can also stay overnight in one of three bedrooms offered as a bed and breakfast.
Kelly House on TV
In April 2010, Kelly House was featured on a TV show called Country House Rescue. The show was on Channel 4 and was presented by a hotel expert named Ruth Watson. She helped the family figure out ways to make the house successful and keep it going.
Kelly Family Coat of Arms
The Kelly family has its own special symbol called a coat of arms. It's like a unique family badge! This coat of arms was officially recorded in the 1500s. It is described as a silver shield with a red chevron (which looks like an upside-down V) and three red rectangles called "billets."
